Joseph illustrates Christ. Jesus came to his own, but his own received him not. He was rejected and despised, because his acts were righteous, and his consistent, self-denying life was a continual rebuke upon those who professed piety, but whose lives were corrupt. Joseph’s integrity and virtue were fiercely assailed; and she who would lead him astray could not prevail, therefore her hatred was strong against the virtue and integrity which she could not corrupt, and she testified falsely against him. The innocent suffered because of his righteousness. He was cast into prison because of his virtue. Joseph was sold to his enemies, by his own brethren, for a small sum of money. The Son of God was sold to his bitterest enemies by one of his own disciples. Jesus was meek and holy. His was a life of unexampled self-denial, goodness, and holiness. He was not guilty of any wrong; yet false witnesses were hired to testify against him. He was hated because he had been a faithful reprover of sin and corruption. Joseph’s brethren stripped him of his coat of many colors. The executioners of Jesus cast lots for his seamless coat. {1SP 157.2}

Josef er et forbillede på Kristus. Jesus kom til sit eget, men hans egne tog ikke imod ham. Han blev forkastet og foragtet fordi hans gerninger var retfærdige og hans gudfrygtige, selvfornægtende liv var en stadig irettesættelse for alle som bekendte sig til fromhed, men levede i synden. Josefs retskaffenhed og dyd blev hårdt angrebet: men den som ville forføre ham kunne ikke overvinde ham. Derfor hadede hun den retskaffenhed og dyd som hun ikke kunne fordærve, og var falsk vidnesbyrd imod ham. Den uskyldige led for sin retfærdigheds skyld. Han blev kastet i fængsel på grund af sin dyd. Josef blev solgt til sine fjender af sine egne brødre for en lille pengesum. Guds søn blev solgt til sine bitreste fjender af sin egen discipel. Jesus var sagtmodig og hellig. Hans liv er uden lige i henseende i selvfornægtelse, godhed og hellighed. Han var uskyldig – uden nogen synd. Dog havde man lejet falske vidner til at vidne imod ham. Han blev hadet fordi han trolig havde irettesat menneskene for deres synd og (158) fordærvelse. Josefs brødre afførte ham hans kjortel af mange farver. Jesu bødler kastede lod om hans kjortel, som var uden søm.