Genesis 37

v1-11: Joseph was going to experience a great deal of trouble and suffering, “so God told him beforehand about” what would happen in the future. “In the same way, Christ had a joy set before him, and so do Christians.”

v12-22: “Joseph was a type of Christ.” He was “the beloved Son of his Father and hated by a wicked world.” He was sent by the Father, “from heaven to earth, to seek and save us, but then malicious plots were hatched against him,” by his own, who instead of receiving him, conspired against him. “He submitted to all this, according to his plans to redeem and save us.”

v23-36: Covering up our sin is something all of us since Adam have learned to do. ”When the Devil has taught people to commit one sin, he then teaches them to cover it up by committing another.”

Genesis 38

v1-11: “Those who leave their families, who despise and forsake the society of the offspring of Israel,” and who “associate with Canaanites for their companions, are going downhill fast.”

v12-23: Judah was more concerned about preserving the reputation he had with others, than about his sin being forgiven by God. This danger of preventing the shame of others finding out about our transgressions, over receiving God’s forgiveness and having “a good conscience,” is one that we can easily fall into.

v24-30: “Those who do not give up their sins do not truly repent of them.”

Genesis 39

v1-6: Christ, took upon himself “the form of a servant and then did things that showed that God was with him.” He is pictured in Joseph’s work as servant in Potiphar’s household. God’s people are to be a blessing to “the places where they live” by their good works of service.

v7-12: Potiphar’s wife had “already, by her degenerate looks and impure desires, committed adultery with [Joseph] in her heart.” Joseph, however, “was enabled to resist and overcome… this attack of the enemy.” Here, again, Joseph is a type of Christ, “who was tempted by Satan, but overcame the temptation.”

v13-18: “This was not the first time that Joseph’s coat was used as a false witness concerning him.” Earlier it was his father who had been deceived by it, now it was his master. Like Joseph before him, Christ was false accused. “It is no new thing for the best people to be falsely accused of the worst crimes by those who themselves are the worst criminals.”

v19-23: “Our Lord Jesus, like Joseph here, was bound, and numbered with the transgressors.” Throughout this chapter we see the Saviour’s life, pictured and pointed to, in the life of Joseph.