It is funny how you think you know a Bible story, but then you notice a detail you have never seen before, as I did on my umpteenth reading of the Joseph narrative.
The older brothers have returned to Egypt, at Joseph’s instruction, very nervous because they stand accused of being spies, and due to some mix-up, as they see it, the money they took to pay for grain found its way back into their luggage, making them appear thieves as well.
Reminiscent of an earlier story taken from Jacob’s youth, the trickster at the prospect of meeting his brother (Esau whom he tricked) after many years, sends peace offerings ahead; something Jacob arranges for his sons to do now.
Expecting trouble then, Joseph compounds this by inviting his brothers to lunch, convincing them he must be planning to attack and enslave them.
Comedically, Joseph seats the brothers down the table in order of age/seniority; though of course, he is at the head of the table.
Astonished, the story tells us, the brothers look at each other as if to say: what is going on here? Has this man received divine information? Ironically, it is not divine information but intimate knowledge of his own brothers. However, it is divine knowledge and understanding of how God is working in this whole situation which has led Joseph to not punish his brothers, but to bless them.
Joseph knows his brothers inside out, whereas for them recognition of his identity is slow and unfolding. As such, the relationship between them echoes that between Christ and the individual soul.
This is one of the many ways in which Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ, an interpretation of the Joseph narratives which historically the church has always made.
Another example is the way God can take a man of faith and turn him into Lord and saviour of his people.
Jesus himself validates this approach to Old Testament scripture, since he taught his disciples to search the scriptures as they spoke of him.
In both typology (the technical term for the way Old Testament writings foreshadow Christ) the prophets also prophesied many facts that are played out already in the first coming of Jesus, and in the future when he comes again.
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As you re-read these engaging stories see how many other ways Joseph represents a type of Jesus.