Joseph a Picture of Jesus: Punished

Genesis 39:19-21

There have been times that all of us have been accused of doing something that we genuinely did not do. Most of us have not had to pay a terrible price for that accusation though. Perhaps some discomfort, but probably not life altering consequences. Joseph, on the other hand, did the right thing. When his master's wife tried to get him to have an affair with her, he refused. There was constant pressure, but he refused her advances. Finally, she aggressively came onto him, and he ran from her. Leaving his garment behind, she had exactly what she needed to make him pay for his rejection. She accused him of doing exactly what he refused to do.

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So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:19-21

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Joseph, an innocent man was cast into prison. We do not know exactly how long it was that Joseph was in prison, but we do know that it was more than two years. You have to wonder if he ever asked God "Why?". He was a good boy who had been sold into slavery by jealous brothers. He was a faithful slave to his master, and for that he was cast into prison. How much injustice did he have to endure?

Jesus was falsely accused of a crime as well. The Sanhedrin had declared Him guilty; they just needed a crime to accuse Him of. They finally found a liar to say that He claimed He would tear the temple down and rebuild it in three days. They knew this was flimsy, so when Jesus told them who He was, they claimed He blasphemed God. For that, they had Him beaten and killed. Like Joseph, Jesus did the right thing and told the truth, and for that He was punished.

By the time it is all over, Joseph's incarceration will not seem that bad. God will use that to put Joseph into a position to be a savior to his family. In like manner, Jesus was being positioned to be the Savior of the world. Joseph was a picture of innocence taking on the punishment of the guilty. There was suffering. Jesus died for our sins, and Joseph was as good as dead to his father. Read the following passage that supports this idea.

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So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” 33 And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 37:31-34

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Jacob thought Joseph was dead. Verse 34 says that Jacob mourned Joseph for many days, but really he was still in mourning after 12 years. As far as Jacob knew, His innocent, precious, beloved son was dead. This is a very sad chapter in the life of Joseph, and as it relates to the life of Jesus.

There is always the possibility that we will be falsely accused of something, and we will face consequences for the lie. I heard a podcast about a police officer that was falsely accused of murder. He has spent the last 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Why? Because he was doing the right thing. The question we have to ask ourselves is, "Would I be faithful to God and glorify Him if it was me in this situation?" Could God allow my story to be told and it point towards His Son and the redemptive work that He did on the cross? This did not happen by accident in the life of Joseph. He was intentional about serving God at home, then as a slave, so that when he became a prisoner, he kept doing what he was already doing. He kept trusting God and living for Him.

Father, none of us want to suffer. If we are called to carry a cross that is unfair, unjust, and painful, strengthen us to be faithful to You. I pray that all of our lives point people to Jesus. May our lives demonstrate His love for us, and our devotion to Him and You.