Joseph as a Type

From Prisoner to Prince: The Joseph Story in Biblical Theology Samuel Emadi (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022)I came to this book with high expectations. I have been a (fairly) regular listener to the “Bible Talk” podcast that Emadi cohosts with Alex Duke and Jim Hamilton, since 2020. Familiar with him from that podcast, I knew Emadi has a keen eye for detail and structure in the Biblical text.The central thesis of this book is that Joseph’s story, if read carefully and canonically, serves as a type or a foreshadowing of a greater Joseph figure to come. That is, Joseph can legitimately be seen as a type of Christ. As I read, I was both delighted and disappointed. I was delighted in just the ways hinted at above — rigorous attention to the text. The early part of the book defines biblical theology and typology. Emadi then sets the Joseph story within the toledot structure of Genesis, and spends successive chapters examining Joseph’s place in relationship to the covenant promises of kingship, seed, land and blessing. The final two chapters examine the Joseph story as it is explicated or alluded to in both the OT and the NT. The discussion is meaty, nuanced, and to borrow from DA Carson’s preface, “interlocking and cumulative…finally convincing.”The disappointment is perhaps unfair. Emadi is a clear and compelling verbal communicator, and so I was hoping for a compelling writing style, maybe some sparkling turns of phrase — and that’s definitely not this book. The further I read, the more I thought “this reads like a PhD dissertation.” And indeed, as it turns out, Emadi’s 2016 dissertation from the SBTS is on this very subject, and most of the chapters overlap. Which explains why there are north of 400 footnotes in a 150 page book.So, in sum — this book is very worthwhile for someone preaching on Joseph or interested in reading a careful and nuanced example of a typological reading. It is quite thorough, and yes, convincing. Just know it won’t be your easiest read of the week.Stopping to Think is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willdole.substack.com/subscribe