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12.29.20: "Typography: Comparing Joseph of the NT and Joseph of the OT; and Moses to Jesus"

Joseph in the OT was known for his incredible dreams. His prophetic dreams first led his 11 brothers (all sons of Jacob) to sell him off to Egyptian slave traders. Then his dreams led him to becoming Prime Minister for Pharaoh, which ended up saving the lives of Jacob and his large family (the budding Israelite community) after famine hit Israel.


Similarly, the NT Joseph's incredible dream of an angel's message led him to take the Holy Family to Egypt, saving their lives.


Moses was prophesied to be the savior of the Hebrews. When he was born, he had to be spirited away by Miriam in a basket down the Nile in order to escape Pharaoh’s men, who then murdered all Hebrew boys 2 years and younger, because Pharaoh had also heard this prophecy.


Similarly, Jesus is spirited away by Joseph and Mary to escape Herod's men, who then murdered all the boys of Bethlehem 2 years and younger, because Herod had also heard the Messianic prophecy, plus the wise men from the east who confirmed that the time was at hand.


NT Joseph's next dream was several years later which instructed him to leave Egypt and return to Israel with Jesus. The Hebrews in the OT had similar instructions, but instead they stayed in "comfortable" Egypt, which ultimately led to their enslavement.


The passage from Hosea 11:1, "Out of Egypt I called my son," applies first in the literal sense to Israel, as Israel was called the "first born son" of God. However, after Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, they did not live up to their covenant with God. Within a month they were worshiping the golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai; and the Hebrews (none of us would have done any better) betrayed God's covenant literally hundreds of times thereafter.


The true fulfillment, therefore, of message, "Out of Egypt I called my son," would ultimately have to be God himself, in the person of Jesus. Moses and the Exodus from Egyptian slavery therefore foreshadowed Jesus and the true Exodus – from our slavery to sin. Jesus paid so that our forgiveness (freedom from sin) is free for the asking.


The bible is never short of irony. This time it is that the Holy Family had to escape to Egypt to escape the murderous hands of his their own people in Jerusalem!

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