Genesis 47: 13 -31

Pharaoh did not have food stamps. He did not govern by today’s standards. He was an absolute monarchy. He had absolute power. He would not have considered giving away something for nothing. Joseph worked for Pharaoh. Pharaoh had charged Joseph with the responsibility of administering the stockpile of grain. Giving it away free was not an option.

As the famine worsened, the people of Egypt used everything they had to buy grain. They sold their land to Pharaoh for food. In the end, out of necessity they sold themselves into slavery. Because of God’s revelation down through the centuries, we know that slavery is unrighteous. They did not have that revelation. Joseph made the Egyptian’s bondage lighter than anyone could have expected. They remained in their homes and continued to farm as if they still owned the land. Pharaoh took 20% as his due. They had been paying this much in the seven good years. We do not consider it slavery when our gov’t takes more than 20% of all that we earn. Joseph was playing his part in God’s plan. He saved Egypt from destruction by famine. He set the terms of their bondage so they did not experience what real slavery is like. He provided a home where the Israelites could grow into a nation. The Egyptian people and the Israelites recognized Joseph had saved their lives.

Today we have outlawed physical slavery. God’s revelation has revealed to us that there is bondage greater than physical slavery. The greatest bondage of all is sin. People today are selling themselves into that bondage. The price is great and the rewards are few. They do not sell themselves to survive. They are selling themselves in pursuit of temporary things. They pursue pleasure, money, sex, fame, power and the list goes on. The Egyptians, thanks to Joseph remained 80% free. When we sell ourselves to sin we end up 100% enslaved. We need a savior greater than Joseph. We need Jesus Christ. Christ sets us 100% free.