Messiah Ben Joseph

In the recognition of the biblical Joseph as an archetypal Messiah, we discover a rich parallel with our investigation. Joseph, after being condemned to suffering alongside two criminals in the land of Egypt (Gen 40:1-3), was raised up from the pit and given fine linen (Gen. 41:42), just as Jesus, crucified between two criminals, was raised up from the grave and clothed in immortality (Matt 28:6). Likewise, after the "resurrection" of Joseph, Pharaoh crowned him with honor and power and made him second-in-command over Egypt (Gen 41:39-45). As Psalm 105:21 recalls, Pharaoh made Joseph "lord and ruler over all his possessions." Likewise, God made Jesus "lord and Messiah" (Acts 2:36) and gave him "all authority" (Matt 28:18). In the Joseph narrative we readily discover the same power relationship between the exalted Jesus and his God:

Genesis 41:

40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command,[b] and people shouted before him, “Make way[c]!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,[d] to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.