A Message for Our Times – A SPECIAL Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study with Sharon Doran Podcast
Summary: <br> <br> A SPECIAL SEEKING TRUTH CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY FOR OUR TROUBLED TIMES<br> <br> GENESIS 48, 49 and 50<br> Our final lesson of Genesis begins with an in-depth look at the typology between the Joseph of Egypt and Joseph of Bethlehem. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the patron saint of the universal Catholic Church. In that document, Pope Pius recognized the connections between the two men. Just as Pharaoh made Joseph the lord of his household, prince over all his possessions, protector of all the grain in the land, so too did the Lord choose another Joseph, the earthly guardian of Jesus, to be the lord and chief of his household and possessions and guardian of his choicest treasures. Joseph, the husband to Mary, was the father of the beginning of the Church on earth. He was the foster father to Jesus and the defender and protector of the Holy Family.<br> From his many roles come many other titles for Joseph of Bethlehem. He was also Joseph of Nazareth, indicating the Holy Family’s home when they return from Egypt. As instructed in a dream (Matthew 2:13-15), he became Joseph the Immigrant, fleeing to Egypt with Mary and infant Jesus, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Other titles for St. Joseph include Joseph most just and Joseph most chaste. He is also called mirror of patience, the model of obedience, the model of artisans, the illustrious son of David and the Terror of Demons. Scripture does not record a single word of Joseph and his presence is missing during the public ministry of Jesus, leading most scholars to assume he must have died before then. Artists have depicted Joseph being comforted by Mary and Jesus on his death bed, which explains why Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death. Like Mary, no one claims to have the relics of Joseph.<br> There are many other examples of typology between Joseph of Egypt and Joseph of Bethlehem. Both are sons of Jacob and both are models for the virtue of chastity. Joseph protected Jesus, the Bread of Life, enabling Him to accomplish His plan of salvation for the world. Likewise, Joseph of Egypt stored up grain, protecting the bread of life the world needed during the famine.<br> Dreams were important to both. In his dreams, angels help Joseph understand his role as the earthly foster father of Jesus and husband to Mary. Joseph had four dreams: Joseph was told to take Mary as his wife as she had conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21); Joseph was warned to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13); Joseph was told to return to Israel (Matthew 2:19-20); Joseph was told to return to Galilee instead of going to Judea (Matthew 2:22). As we have seen in earlier chapters of Genesis, Joseph of Egypt was himself a dreamer (Genesis 37) but also had the gift to interpret dreams by the power of God (Genesis 40, 41).<br> In response to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, this particular lecture was given before an empty room. By order of civil authorities, no more than 10 people could be gathered in one location. The empty shelves at the supermarkets bring to mind the empty grain bins during the famine in Genesis. Just as the Lord allowed the famine, He too has allowed the 2020 pandemic. But as we have been reminded throughout this study of Genesis, “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).<br> Joseph acknowledged that his brothers intended to harm him, but that God intended it so that many lives could be saved. As Jacob lay on his death bed, Joseph presented his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob claimed them as his own sons, future offspring would belong to Joseph. Ephraim and Manasseh were given the same status as the brothers of Joseph. As he prepared to impart his blessing, Jacob’s eyes were dim with age, just as the eyes of his own father, Isaac,
