Age of the Patriarchs
The Fathers of the Church saw the Unnamed Servant of Genesis chapter 24 as symbolic of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the only person of the Holy Trinity who does not have a personal name. Compare the major players in this narrative with the Most Holy Trinity and the Church:
| Just Father | Abraham | God the Father Yahweh |
| Righteous Son | Isaac | Jesus the Son |
| Servant | Unnamed Servant | Holy Spirit |
| The Bride | Rebecca | The Church |
God continues the 3-fold Abrahamic Covenant:
| First Generation | Second Generation | Third Generation |
| Abraham | Isaac | Jacob |
| Land: 12:2; 15:7, 18; 17:8; 22:17 | Land: 26:3 | Land: 28:13; 35:12 |
| Descendants 12:2; 15:4-5; 17:2-6; 22:17 | Descendants: 26:3 | Descendants: 28:14; 35:10 |
| World-wide blessing 12:2; 22:18 | World-wide blessing: 26:4 | World-wide blessing: 28:14 |
Jacob/Israel's Twelve sons and one daughter*
| LEAH'S SONS |
Leah's servant ZILPAH'S SONS |
RACHEL'S SONS |
Rachel's servant BILHAH'S SONS |
| Ruben #1 | Gad # 7 | Joseph #11 | Dan #5 |
| Simeon #2 | Asher #8 | Benjamin #12 | Naphtali #6 |
| Levi #3 | |||
| Judah #4 | |||
| Issachar #9 | |||
| Zebulun #10 |
*A daughter, Dinah, was born to Leah after Zebulum and before Joseph.
The
Fathers of the Church saw Joseph son of Jacob as a "type" of Christ.
What similarities can you see between Joseph and Jesus?
Answer:
| JOSPEH | JESUS |
| 1. Joseph escapes death by going into Egypt. | 1. Jesus escapes death by going into Egypt |
| 2. >He is betrayed by his brothers, the sons of Jacob/Israel. | 2. Jesus is betrayed by his brothers, the sons of Israel--the Jews. |
| 3. Joseph's brothers believed he was dead but he was found to be alive. | 3. Jesus was believed to be dead but He was Resurrected from the dead. |
| 4. Joseph is the beloved son of Jacob | 4. Jesus is the beloved Son of God |
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2000 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.