BRAGADAYJAH 163

Without stretching the imagination or the understanding, it should be evident that between Adam and Joseph, human history had completed a complete cycle; turned 360 degrees, as it it were from the cradle of Eden to the grave in Egypt. Adam was placed by his father in a cradle, in the garden of Eden where he fed and nurtured and communed with him; and Adam’s descendent Joseph died in Egypt and was placed in a coffin there completing the cycle of life. In between there were many important names and personalities which would be too many to mention here; but none of them quite like the man Joseph. There were men such as Cain and Abel and Seth, Adam’s sons and after that there were such men as Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, and of course Noah’s great grandson Nimrod the son of Cush his grandson. The next important name for our purposes is of course that of Abraham whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldees and promised to make a great nation and to make his name great. And out of Abraham came forth Ishmael although he was not the son of the promise and then Isaac who was. Then out of Isaac came forth Esau and Jacob, and here again the firstborn was not the one chosen of God, but the younger Jacob. As we have seen, Jacob whose name God changed to Israel had 12 sons the 11th of whom was Joseph, and it is to Joseph’s life, his fortunes and misfortunes, his ups and his downs, his humiliation and his glory that we now must turn our attention as we close this present chapter. It is often said by scholars, that Joseph was a type of Christ, a prefiguration of Messiah that would come at a later time. There are scores of similarities between the life of Joseph and that of Messiah; but just a few illustrations will serve to make the case. Parallels between Joseph and Jesus. Their father loved them dearly. Both were shepherds tending their father’s sheep. Both were sent by their father to their brothers. Both were hated by their brothers who plotted to kill them. Both were tempted and resisted temptation. Both were taken to Egypt Both had their robes taken. Both sold for twenty and thirty pieces of silver respectively. Both were bound in chains. Both were falsely accused. Both were confined with 2 other prisoners, one of whom was saved and the other not. Both were 30 years old at the beginning of public life. Both were exalted after suffering. Both forgave those who wronged them. Both saved their nation. In either case what men did to them for evil God turned to good.