What Old Testament figures exemplify righteousness similar to Joseph in Luke 23:50? Scripture snapshot “Now there was a man named Joseph, a Council member who was a good and righteous man. He had not consented to their decision and action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 23:50-51) Key marks of Joseph’s righteousness • A life publicly recognized as “good and righteous” • Refusal to join an unjust verdict • Eager expectation of God’s coming kingdom • Courage to act when truth and compassion demanded (v. 52) Old Testament parallels • Noah – Genesis 6:9 – “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” – Stood apart from a corrupt generation and obeyed God despite social pressure. • Abraham – Genesis 15:6; 18:19 – “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” – Modeled faith-based righteousness and trained his household “to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice.” • Joseph (son of Jacob) – Genesis 39:9; 41:38-40 – Resisted temptation, saying, “How then could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” – Displayed integrity in both adversity and influence, eventually providing for others at personal cost. • Job – Job 1:1 – “This man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.” – Maintained righteousness when falsely accused and misunderstood. • Boaz – Ruth 2:11-12; 3:10-13 – Exemplified covenant faithfulness (“hesed”) toward Ruth, acting sacrificially to secure her redemption. • Daniel – Daniel 6:4, 10 – Officials “could find no ground for accusation… because he was trustworthy.” – Continued prayer even when it risked his life, echoing Joseph of Arimathea’s courageous stand. • Hezekiah – 2 Kings 18:5-6 – “He trusted in the LORD…the LORD was with him.” – Reformed worship and resisted Assyrian intimidation, choosing obedience over political safety. • Josiah – 2 Kings 22:2; 23:25 – “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” – Acted decisively on recovered Scripture, much like Joseph acted decisively for Jesus’ body. Shared themes • Personal integrity acknowledged by Scripture and contemporaries • Refusal to participate in collective wrongdoing • Readiness to risk reputation or safety for righteousness • Hope anchored in God’s promises rather than human approval • Active compassion that meets real needs (ark-building, providing grain, redeeming a widow, claiming Jesus’ body) Takeaway Joseph of Arimathea stands in a long, unbroken line of Old Testament believers whose righteous character, courageous obedience, and kingdom hope foreshadow the discipleship Christ still calls for today. |
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