Joseph - Sent to Find His Brothers

 

Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. (Genesis 37:12–17 ESV).

 

In Theology there is a reference grouping of passages in the Old Testament called “Messianic Types.” Messianic types are Old Testament persons, events, or institutions (types) that prefigure and find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ (the antitype), often categorized as legal, prophetic, or historical. Key types include Adam (as a representative head), Isaac (the son of sacrifice), Joseph (rejected then exalted), Moses (the lawgiver/prophet), and David (the king). There are others as well, however, Joseph is a key figure in pointing to Jesus.

 

In this short segment of the story we see a caring father sending his son to see about the welfare of his other sons and the family flocks. This is a mission to ensure that all is well. Joseph makes the journey to Shechem, and he puts his heart into it. Unable to find his brothers at first, he doesn’t abandon his mission but keeps on searching. A local resident notices him, and he’s curious about this stranger who is “wandering around.” The man asks Joseph who he’s looking for, learns the facts, and points him toward Dothan. So, Joseph heads that way, adding more distance to his journey.

 

This picture of a father sending, and a son obeying and persevering—all to ensure the well-being of others in the family— reminds us of Jesus’ mission. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent into the world by the Father to call out to us, his “sheep,” to find us, and to ensure our eternal well-being (cf. John 6:38-40; 10:27-30). As we know, he was rejected by the religious leadership, ultimately being crucified. The Apostle John says, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

 

It is another way of showing us that God’s plan was to call out to His people to forgive and restore them. Often I think we make the mistake in thinking that we need to search for Him, when all the while He has already searched and found us, The question then become how we will respond to Him… How have you responded to the grace of God?