In some varieties of American Fundamentalism there is (or at least was when I was involved in it) an intense interest in what is called "typology." Typology has nothing to do with using a typewriter. In Greek, the word τυπος (typos) means a pattern or image. This is where we get words like "archetype" and "prototype" as well as "typewriter." When we speak of typology in biblical interpretation we are looking at a character or situation which is emblematic of another, later character or situation. That other character or situation is the "antitype," essentially the fulfillment.
In today's reading from Genesis we see Joseph realizing he will rule over his family. We see him being betrayed by his brothers and reported as dead. We see that he is actually alive. In this character of Joseph we can see a type of Christ. Jesus, who proclaims himself to be the Son of God, is given over to death by his own brothers, the Jews, just like Joseph is sold by Judah, his brother, the ancestor of Jesus. Joseph is stripped of his garments and reported as dead. We see that Jesus was pronounced dead by a centurion, someone whose training and experience led him to identify "dead" quite adequately. Joseph was sent into a foreign country from which he was later to show himself as the one upon whom the lives of his brothers depended. Likewise, Jesus will show himself in his return as the one upon whom all our lives depend.
What else do you see? I left some out on purpose.
Lord, may we rejoice as we see you, the sin-bearer, the savior of the world, the one who ever lives to make intercession for us.
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