The relation of Joseph, son of Jacob, and the number Two is very interesting. Joseph is described by Bible commentators as a type or picture of Jesus in as many as fifty different ways.

Perhaps the most obvious picture is how Joseph is second to the highest authority, just as Jesus the Son, answers only to God the Father. Joseph was an excellent administrator. Although not said in the Bible, I suspect he was Jacob’s administrator, answering only to his father. When he went to check on his brothers, he probably did so as overseer. (Genesis 37:14) No wonder his older brothers hated him. He was number two. He also had two dreams showing his parents and brothers bowing before him. (Genesis 37:5-9)

After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, in Potiphar’s house he answered only to Potiphar. (Genesis 39:8) He was number two. When he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and placed in jail, he administered the jail for the jailer. (Genesis 39:22) He was number two. Of course, we all know how Joseph answered only to Pharaoh in Egypt. (Genesis 41:43-44) He was number two.

Isaac, the grandfather of Joseph, was the second son, and favored over the first, Ishmael. (Genesis 21:12) Jacob, the father of Joseph, was the second son, and favored over the first, Esau. (Genesis 25:23) Joseph himself was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife, who was favored over the first, Leah. (Genesis 29:30)

While in jail, Joseph served two of Pharaoh’s servants. (Genesis 40:2-4) The servants had two dreams and Joseph interpreted both of them. (Genesis 40:5) After one of Pharaoh’s servants was released from jail, it was two years before he remembered Joseph and his abilities. (Genesis 41:1)

We are familiar with the story of Pharaoh and his dreams. In fact, he had two dreams. (Genesis 41:1-7) Joseph interpreted them through the direction of the Lord and told Pharaoh that they were one event divided into two parts; seven good years and seven bad years. (Genesis 41:25-27)

When the famine struck, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt for grain. They did not realize that the Egyptian leader was their brother. As the famine wore on, they debated whether to return to Egypt for more grain. Judah stated that had they acted instead of arguing, they could have gone to Egypt twice. (Genesis 43:10) The brothers did not recognize Joseph until the second visit. (Genesis 45:3) Joseph brought his family to Egypt during the second part of the prophetic dream, in the second year of the second seven years. (Genesis 45:6)

Pharaoh gave Joseph a Gentile bride (another picture of Jesus) who bore Joseph two sons. (Genesis 41:50) The second son, Ephraim, was more honored than the first, Manasseh. (Genesis 48:13-14) In the twelve tribes of Israel, you will notice there is no tribe of Joseph. The two sons of Joseph became family leaders on the same level as the brothers of Joseph. Joseph was twice blessed in that his sons each received a portion of the Promised Land.

What a remarkable man Joseph was! Completing the picture of Joseph as a type of Jesus, upon the death of their father Jacob, his brothers feared that this powerful man, Joseph, would take vengeance on them. But just as Jesus died to save man, Joseph told his brothers, “you meant evil against me; [but] God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

I look forward to gathering around the Throne of God and seeing Jesus. But sometime during eternity, I would love to meet Joseph. Praise the Lord for the hope we have of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus.