Joseph a Picture of Jesus: Beloved Son

Genesis 29:28-30; 30:22-24; 37:3

Rachel and Leah’s father put them in a terrible situation. Jacob loved Rachel from the very beginning. He made this very clear. However, Laban decided to trick Jacob into marrying Leah on their wedding night. When Jacob insisted that he be allowed to marry Rachel, Laban agreed if he worked another 7 years for the dowry. From that time on there was contention in the house of Jacob between these two sisters. They competed for the love and affection of Jacob. Rachel had his heart, but Leah wanted it. It seems as though she never felt loved by her husband. How terrible to have to endure marriage and never have the heart of the man you call your husband.

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Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. 29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

Genesis 29:28-30

Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”

Genesis 30:22-24

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.

Genesis 37:3

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Since Jacob loved Rachel above Leah, it only stems to reason that he would love the son of Rachel more than the sons of Leah (and their two servants). Joseph was the favorite and this undeniable favoritism only increased when Rachel died giving birth to Joseph's brother Benjamin. If it was speculated before, it was not made evident.

God wanted the reader to know that Joseph was indeed the favored son. He was Jacob’s beloved son in whom he was well pleased. Joseph reported the bad behavior of his brothers on one occasion. He also had dreams that depicted him being in authority over the brothers. Finally, he didn’t have to work in the fields like the brothers. He was sent by his father to check on his brothers which means he was at home, rather than sleeping in the fields and watching the sheep.

While the circumstances surrounding Joseph being the favorite are less than honorable, it does not change the fact that he was the favorite. As we will see through this series, there are many ways that Joseph is a picture of Jesus. Today, we see that he was the beloved son of Jacob just as Jesus is the beloved Son of Father God.

Twice in the life of Jesus God spoke from Heaven and said that Jesus was His beloved Son. Once was at His baptism (Matthew 3:17) and the other was on the mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). Jesus is beloved of God and has God’s favor. The biggest contrast between Jacob and God the Father is that there is no unrighteousness or injustice in Jesus being His beloved Son; unlike that of Jacob and his sons.

Just as Joseph was one among many brothers, so is Jesus. Paul wrote, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Jesus is the beloved son, but through Him we too are beloved sons and daughters. We will come back to this idea later, but for now suffice it to say that we are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).

Father, once again You demonstrate Your sovereign will orchestrated in the lives of Your people. Though sinful, Jacob still provided a picture of the relationship of You and Jesus through his relationship with Joseph. May we worship Jesus as Your beloved Son and our beloved Savior.