By Ken Blue
Many of you know the story of Joseph and his brothers. “ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.” Genesis 37:3-5.
Joseph was hated because he was favored by his father, and he was hated because of his dreams. This hatred resulted in his brothers’ rejection of him, their intent to kill him, and their selling him into slavery. As far as they were concerned, they had seen and heard the last of Joseph.
However, many years later, tribulation came to his family which brought them to their knees. Space does not permit me to give the whole story. However, I hope you will read it. Here is the other point I want to make; Joseph was made known to them at their SECOND meeting. “And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren..” Acts 7:13.
Moses was born in Egypt. When he became an adult, he attempted to defend his fellow Hebrews, who were slaves, but they rejected him. “But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?” Acts 7:27.
Moses left Egypt, and he was sent back 40 years later to deliver them. This SECOND time, the nation accepted and followed him to freedom.
Jesus came to his own and they refused to accept Him. Rather, they crucified Him. However, He is coming a SECOND time, and they will accept and follow him! “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16.
Both Joseph and Moses were Old Testament types of our Lord’s rejection at His first coming, and His reception at His SECOND Advent. Israel will also be in tribulation, and He will lead them to victory! It is not a coincidence that these three are so similar.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.