Joseph and the Famine

Introduction

I really struggle with this section...

What it’s not:

Setting up best governmental policies and structure for all cultures at all times...

Telling us the a bigger government is a better government...

In fact, the focus here is Joseph as a wise administration, saving his newfound people from starvation.

Additionally, that God was still blessing His people despite the famine.

Body: Genesis 47:13-27

Verse 13

The narrative attention switched from Jacob back to Joseph and the famine.

The reader is reminded of the severity of the famine and the struggles of the people in Egypt and Canaan.

In fact, the term translated as “languished” means “to be weary or helpless.”

Enter Joseph:

Verses 14-26

This section seems to be a case of Joseph setting up a feudalistic society in the standpoint that now the government owns everything. And he’s taxing them 1/5 of their income! Is that really what is going on here?

The people had a horrendous need. Joseph could provide it for them, but it would cost them. Though is seems like he is exploiting them, I don’t see it this way for a number of reasons:

We don’t see that Joseph’s motives here are for personal gain. It was the best way Joseph knew to handle the situation they were facing.

Today, when people do things like this is comes across as exploiting because there is usually outrageous personal gain (African leaders exploiting their people; socialist societies; in our own government today…)

The people did not feel exploited. Look at verse 25.

His taxes might seem excessive to us today, but the people don’t seem to see it that way. (And notice that the tax is clear and flat: 1/5 to Pharaoh, 4/5 to you. In our own situation, I’m not a big fan of our tax rate, but I’m less upset about it as I am about our unreadable tax code, the tax loopholes for rich people, the tax loopholes for poor people, and the misspending by the government.)

Selling themselves to the government was their idea, not Joseph’s.

The old saying stands firm: people get the government they deserve!

Our point-of-view is biased by our capitalist, representative republic system. No one had that at this time, so it’s not like they lost something, as we would feel if that happened today.

Feudalism would not be attractive to us today, obviously, but it was a much more stable system than what existed.

Most countries in the world had no standard or at least a very weak standard for personal property rights. In the case of Egypt, the pharaoh was seen as a living god, thus he had the right to do or take pretty much whatever he wanted. Many ancient governmental systems were like this.

Israel, on the other hand, was one of the few cultures that developed a robust system of protections for personal property rights. In fact, as you read through the OT, it’s stunning how much God does to protect a person’s personal property rights. But they were the exception, not the rule.

Truth be told, most of us have never faced this kind of tragic hunger. The people weren’t thinking of freedom, they were thinking of surviving.

So, don’t allow our modern politics and love for freedom cloud what is happening here: Joseph is saving people, yet again!

Finally, this section is likely a foreshadowing for what was to come.

Joseph intended this to save people, later the new Pharaoh would use this to enslave people.

Verse 27

While the famine is raving the Egyptian people, Jacob’s family is doing very well in Egypt. Look again at the last words here: “And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied.” In fact, Jacob’s family is striving, thanks to Joseph, but more so, thanks to God.

Again, God takes care of His people.

It’s likely to be a couple of politically turbulent weeks here in the United States. I have no idea how this election is going to go, and I fear that there might be social unrest after it’s all said and done.

As believers, we ought to pray that doesn’t happen, obviously. We ought to vote and get involved. (I heard this week that evangelical Christians are registered to vote this year at an all-time low. That should not be, beloved! We don’t have to like the choices to get involved.)

But, regardless of what happens, we need to be reminded that God takes care of His people.

Tough times might be ahead, but God calls His people to faithfulness in the midst of trying times. We can trust His faithfulness, as He has always been faithful in the past!

So What?

Caught vs. Taught...

Joseph benefited the government of Egypt greatly, but just a few generations later his work was forgotten.

Exodus 1:8 ESV

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Thus, as we go on to the book of Exodus, we are to understand that a grave injustice was done to Joseph’s legacy and to the people of Israel.

It sets up a clear picture that the entire Exodus experience is an example of God not only rescuing His people, but punishing the wicked.

People who are scared and/or are suffering will often compromise their freedom, their treasure, and their core beliefs in order to feel safe.

So, I’ve never claimed to be a prophet, nor would I. However, I was looking over my notes from past sermons and lessons in Genesis and saw something I wrote in 2015 in reference to this passage:

“I’m not convinced that a majority of people today wouldn’t give up their freedoms if they thought they were in some grave danger…”

At the time I had no idea that my theory would be tested in 2019 and 2020!

Fear is a powerful tool. Now, I’m not suggesting that Joseph is using fear tactics here. However, we’d be fools to not consider how fear can make us do things we never imaged we’d do.

As Americans right now, this is vital, because over the next two weeks we are going to hear a steady stream of fear tactics to get us to vote one way or another. So we need to arm ourselves with the truth!

A biblical response:

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 27 ESV

Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

God not only protected Israel in Goshen, but He greatly blessed them.

Even in a foreign land, God is protecting and blessing His people.

This is good news for us, because if we are truly living for Christ, then this isn’t our home either.

In fact, we are ambassadors of Christ while we are here, but our true citizenship is in Heaven, not here on earth.