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"BUT THEY KNEW HIM NOT" "And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him." (Genesis 42:8)There are many wonderful types in the Old Testament, both in practice and in people, that we see pointing to the Lord Jesus. First, there's the Ark, the only sure place of refuge. Then, we read about a ram, that God Himself provided, slain in place of Isaac. We find the blood being applied on the two sides and on the upper door posts wherein the congregation of Israel ate that first passover night. There's the wonderful message of the fiery serpent made of brass that God told Moses to set upon a pole with His own personal invitation, "LOOK AND LIVE."We read about Abel, Abraham, Melchizedek, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Daniel, and countless others in whose lives we see, maybe only in part, but something that points to our Great Saviour.The above verse tells us a story concerning yet another in whose life we catch a glimpse of Christ, that young man by the name of Joseph. Joseph, a mere shadow of the Messiah, had been misunderstood, mistreated, and misjudged by family, friends, and foes. Do we not see the Lord Jesus here as He walks through the pages of the Gospels?Why, no sooner do we open the pages of the Scriptures, that unveil the ministry of Heaven's Redeemer, we read similar words pouring from the inspired pen of John, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:10-11)But the story of Joseph and his brethren doesn't end with, "...but they knew him not." For we read a little later in Genesis 45:1, "...And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren." What a wonderful picture of grace and mercy do we read there being extended by Joseph to his brethren.But oh, what a greater portrait we find and have been privileged to partake of in Hebrews 2:7-11. Take special note as that blessed portion concludes with those words in verse 11, "...for which cause he is not ashamed to call them BRETHREN," (caps mine)Friends, our Heavenly Joseph knows His BRETHREN! He is not ashamed of us and will never deny us; but will ever confess our names before the Father as He continues, even to this very day, manifesting His Name to those that know Him not. Oh, what a Saviour!