SCRIPTURE: Genesis 47:13-31
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Joseph is shrewd and makes the king the owner of everything and everyone in Egypt. A 20% tax seems acceptable over death (on top of their losing their land and their freedom). Compare this to the Law of Moses where people could never fully lose their land. Even if they lost it in desperate times, they would get it back in the Year of Jubilee (Sabbath Year, 50th year after 7×7=49 years, Leviticus 25:10-15, 28-55). Jacob lived before this law, but he seems to know that his place is not in Egypt, that he has a place in God’s promised land. This is why he wants to be buried in Canaan. We have no record that this was done (* Oops, we do, see Genesis 50:4-14) but a similar request by Joseph was carried out (Genesis 50:25, Exodus 13:19, Joshua 24:32).
God created us to have a place in His creation. In our sinful world, to be landless is to be poor. But in God’s perfect world, every square inch belongs to Him, and we are granted a place in His world, not as slaves but as free children under Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for this assurance that I am an heir to a place, a place where I belong, where I am free to live and to serve You. Remind me every day that this world belongs to You, and that my bones will one day be raised in the New Canaan. Amen.
This famine was so wide spread and devastating! Imagine if you could find no food for your children!
It triggers my thoughts about the future of our world. People say that we might run out of water and/or food and that in the not too distant future that is what war will be about instead of oil, power, & religions.
I wonder about my children’s generation and their children, I fear for them.
I am then choosing to trust God that He is in control and that He takes care of those who trust Him. I can trust Him about the future.
I am praying for the salvation of many. I pray for me and for all Christians to concentrate on the important things -the things of God and not worldy things.
(Tony, I appreciate that you include hymns/songs in your comments. They are important to me too. Today’s choice was good for me, Thank-you)
What is my perpose in life? The Egyptians had it all. They had wealth and land but no bread. They needed bread and would pay anything in order to get that bread or else they would die. They didn’t save up during the years of plenty. So now they even sold themselves in order to receive the bread for life.
Jesus has told us that He is the Bread of Life. What am I willing to do to receive that bread of Life? Am I a soldier of that Cross? Am I willing to give my all for Jesus? Am I His servant true? As the Egyptians had a choice of life or death in purchasing the bread, so I too, have a choice of Life or Death by choosing to serve my Master and Friend, Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord, for taking care of all my needs. Help me daily to be Your servant true.
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
no, I was found of thee.
Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea.
‘Twas not so much that I on thee took hold,
as thou, dear Lord, on me.
I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole
of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee!
For thou wert long beforehand with my soul;
always thou lovedst me.