🕃 Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God; The Holy Hieromartyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis.
Hebrews 2:11-18; Matthew 2:13-23.
Read Matthew 2:13-23
Let us reflect on how the Old Testament Joseph relates to the New Testament Joseph. Both share the name Joseph, are exiled to the land of Egypt and are associated with dreams. Both of them also have a father who is named Jacob and both suffer persecution. The first Joseph being sold into slavery ends up in the land of Egypt, while the second Joseph having to flee from Herod also ends up in the land of Egypt. We also notice how both are preserved through their dreams, the first is saved from prison because of his ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, while the second saves his family from possible death because of a dream. Both will also save their families, the first from starvation during a famine, while the second from Herod’s order to murder all the boys living in his region aged two years and under. Another parallel is that both are known for their chastity. The first for fleeing from Potiphar’s wife who attempted to seduce him, the second for having abstained from marital relations in regards to his wife Mary. So we can see that there are many ways in which the life of the Patriarch Joseph resembles the life of Joseph the foster father of Jesus.