Trusting in Tough Times

Trusting in Tough Times
Words of Faith 8-16-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 47
[13] There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. [14] Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh's palace. [15] When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up."
[16] "Then bring your livestock," said Joseph. "I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone." [17] So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys. And he brought them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock.
[18] When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, "We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. [19] Why should we perish before your eyes--we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."
[20] So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh's, [21] and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. [22] However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.
[23] Joseph said to the people, "Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. [24] But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children."
[25] "You have saved our lives," they said. "May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh."
[26] So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt--still in force today--that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh's.

Joseph was a wise administrator, but it wasn't easy. Under his leadership, the people were saved from starvation, but there were tough decisions to be made. Why did Joseph take land from the people? Why did he "reduce the people to servitude"? Isn't that a rather harsh abuse of power?
Apparently, this sort of austerity was the only way to save the people and bring about an economic recovery. This was no ordinary economic slump. This was much more than a Great Depression. An African famine was devastating.
We know in modern times that famines in Africa are very difficult to deal with. When " relief " is brought in, it is a two-edged sword. When food relief arrives in a famine-stricken area, what is left of the economy collapses. It is the law of supply and demand. All planting and productivity cease when free food floods the market. Joseph was wise enough to know this.
Joseph also knew that welfare would destroy the workforce. If he passed out free food, no one would ever work toward a recovery. By reducing the people to servitude, Joseph was able to plant seed as the famine neared its end. He was able to meet the people's needs and create the future economy.
Doing the right thing is not always easy. Taking land away from the people and putting them in servitude to Pharaoh was a tough decision, but Joseph was up to it. In fact, he was the perfect person for the task.
It is generally observed that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But not with Joseph. Somehow Joseph was able to keep his head straight in all this. There is no sign that Joseph was ever harsh or severe in his rule over the people of Egypt.
Servitude is terrible, but it must have been the only way for the nation to survive this battle. Like a General who conscripts citizens for war, Joseph drafted the people to battle the economic war that was upon them, and they survived.
Hopefully, you and I will never face a circumstance or a situation of leadership such as the one Joseph did. But we will face times in which we have to make difficult decisions. Whether in family, business, church, or government, there are times when we must tighten our belts and make hard decisions. The good news is that the same God who guided Joseph 3800 years ago is still on the job. He is there to guide us today.
The wisdom of Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Father God, I am trusting You. Make my path straight this day. I am not wise, but You have all wisdom. I honor and fear only You. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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