What lesson was Stephen driving home with the story of Joseph and his brothers?
The lesson is that Israel failed to recognize her Messiah at His first coming, just as Joseph’s brothers did not recognize Joseph. Joseph knew his brethren immediately, but they did not know him; likewise Christ knew Israel from the beginning and revealed Himself clearly, yet they did not recognize Him.
Les teaches that the account of Joseph and his brothers is an analogy of Christ at His first coming. When Joseph’s ten brethren came down to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph immediately knew who they were, but they did not know him. In the same way, the Lord knew Israel from their very beginning and presented Himself to them in language that was clear as day, yet they did not recognize Him. This is the lesson Stephen was driving home: just as the brethren were recognized by Joseph but did not know Joseph, Israel did not recognize her Messiah at His first coming.