Bible and the Government

I read a very interesting chapter in Genesis this morning. It was chapter 47 from The Message. In this time of change in our government, i.e. another party now in the majority, potentially bigger government, tax changes, economic debacle, etc., I couldn’t help but look at what Joseph did and ponder. You apply your own perspectives, insights and perceptions.

Jacob and all his family, plus his sons and their families, went to Egypt to be taken care of by Joseph due to the devastating famine that engulfed everyone in the region. When they arrived, Joseph instructed them on what to say to Pharaoh when or if they came in contact with him. Joseph said:

"…he’ll let you stay apart in the area of Goshen—for Egyptians look down on anyone who is a shepherd." (verse 4)

Joseph was actively orchestrating all of this, even with Pharaoh. They did in fact meet Pharaoh, because Joseph invited Jacob and also five of his brothers into his presence. Pharaoh told Joseph and his brothers:

"Settle your father and brothers on the choicest land—yes, give them Goshen. And if you know any among them that are especially good at their work, put them in charge of my own livestock." (verse 6)

So here they are, this nomad family obviously very talented in gaining wealth, being established in the most fertile region of Egypt with Pharaoh’s blessing and being looked after by the second in command of all Egypt. They won’t be bothered by the Egyptians, because they are shepherds and Egyptians are prejudiced against shepherds. So, in a respect I guess they lived in their own ghetto.

That gives you the context, but starting in verse 13 is really what drew my attention. It demonstrates Joseph’s astounding ability as a businessman and a government leader. Look at what he did.

"The time eventually came when there was no food anywhere. The famine was very bad. Egypt and Canaan alike were devastated by the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan to pay for the distribution of food. He banked the money in Pharaoh’s palace. When the money from Egypt and Canaan had run out, the Egyptians came to Joseph. 'Food! Give us food! Are you going to watch us die right in front of you? The money is all gone.'” (verses 13-15)

You’re darn right, it’s all gone! Joseph has it all in Pharaoh’s palace. I can look at this and say, wow he sure was thinking ahead and making sure he had the means to provide for the people when the time came. And I think that is exactly what he was thinking, but there were definitely residual benefits for Pharaoh and for Joseph occurring at the same time. So, look at Joseph’s response to the people.

"'Bring your livestock. I’ll trade you food for livestock, since your money’s run out.' So they brought Joseph their livestock. He traded them food for their horses, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. He got them through that year in exchange for all their livestock." (verses 16-17)

OK, so now not only does Joseph and Pharaoh have all the people’s money, they now also have all their livestock. True, “He got them through that year.” The government was taking care of them, but at what price? You can say that it was worth it all, because they would have all died otherwise. True, but don’t forget the residuals for Pharaoh and Joseph. It gets much more intense.

"When that year was over, the next year rolled around and they were back, saying, 'Master, It’s no secret to you that we’re broke: our money’s gone and we’ve traded you all our livestock. We’ve nothing left to barter with but our bodies and our farms. What use are our bodies and our land if we stand here and starve to death right in front of you? Trade us food for our bodies and our land. We’ll be slaves to Pharaoh and give up our land—all we ask is seed for survival, just enough to live on and keep the farms alive.'” (verses 18-19)

Why would they do this? Why would they give up everything, their money, their homes, their means of making a living, their integrity? “Fear!” Fear of dying and an uncertain, potentially devastating future are incredible motivators. You could make a great case here that Joseph and Pharaoh are profiting and taking advantage of the downtrodden and the helpless, even though the people are being taken care of, but at what cost? Someone’s losing and someone’s gaining!

"So Joseph bought up all the farms in Egypt for Pharaoh. Every Egyptian sold his land—the famine was that bad. That’s how Pharaoh ended up owning all the land and the people ended up slaves; Joseph reduced the people to slavery from one end of Egypt to the other." (verses 20-21)

Could this be? Isn’t Joseph the man we are suppose to admire and take lessons from? Isn’t he the one we look to as at least one model in the Old Testament? Wasn’t he used by God to achieve His purposes? Notice that the wording says “Every Egyptian sold his land.” I wonder if by saying Egyptian if this did not include Joseph’s family in Goshen? Hmmmm?

"Joseph then announced to the people: 'Here’s how things stand: I’ve bought you and your land for Pharaoh. In exchange I’m giving you seed so you can plant the ground. When the crops are harvested, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh and keep four-fifths for yourselves, for seed for yourselves and your families—you’re going to be able to feed your children!'” (verses 23-24)

So now, not only does Pharaoh own everything and everyone in the country, the people are being levied a tax by Joseph on top of that. I wonder if the people are by this point thinking, this is a good deal. A fifth is not so much. We can keep four-fifths and we’ll be able to feed ourselves and our children. I wonder if they forgot that they own nothing and Pharaoh owns them and everything they used to have. Well look at their response.

"They said, 'You’ve saved our lives! Master, we’re grateful and glad to be slaves to Pharaoh.'” (verse 25)

That’s true, Joseph did save their lives, but at a tremendous cost. Was it worth it? The Bible goes on to now switch to Jacob and his family. It says:

"And so Israel settled down in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property and flourished." (verse 27)

Doesn’t sound like there was much “flourishing” going on around them. I just wonder if all the “taking care of” by Joseph we just read about and the price the “Egyptians” had to pay for it affected the Israelites as well. Don’t really know.

Well, I thought this was really interesting and applied directly to where we are today in our country, our government, our leaders. Don’t forget for a second, God was in control then and He did in fact use Joseph in a great way to accomplish His purposes then and for eternity. I just wonder what God’s purposes are now. He is still in control today. And He will use whomever He chooses. Just think about it!