One of the verses that I chose to be a memory verse a couple years ago has really made me stop and think every time I read it: Genesis 41:38, "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?"Joseph had just interpreted Pharaoh's dreams predicting the seven years of plenty followed by the seven years of famine. He showed himself to be a wise man, and Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was full of the Spirit of God. Do you catch that? The lost world, recognized that this man was full of the Spirit, and he wanted him to lead his country.
How many times does Joseph's example stick out to us? He ran away from temptation with Potipher's wife. He was forgiving when his brothers showed up after having sold him into slavery. He was a godly example.
What was Joseph's solution when Egypt was facing, or about to face, a tough economic time? If you don't remember, he taxed the people 20% across the board for all of their increase during the seven years of plenty. That sounds fair. That way, when the seven years of famine came, he had stored enough to be able to provide for the people of Egypt, and more, for all the people that came to buy food from them.
Ok... now that I've strung you all along long enough... What about Joseph's actions during the time of famine? The people of Egypt, whom he had taxed the seven years prior, came to Joseph, the government, and needed food - no problem, he sold it to them. Then, when they couldn't afford to buy the food any more, he took their cattle off of their hands. Then when the cattle was gone, he took possession of their lands. He made a deal with them that they could work the government's land, and keep the 20% tax going. It sounds like Joseph's actions were designed to improve governmental control over personal areas.
In politics, I am a conservative. I don't believe that we ought to support people that do not work (1 Thessalonians, Ephesians 4, etc.), which is today called welfare. I disagree with those that think it's ok to end a baby's life in the womb, and therefore disagree with a government that would be willing to let tax money be given to groups that encourage abortion. There are some ungodly things going on that I think displease God. In those areas, I would be willing to stand and fight.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most politically savvy guy around. However, big government, while definitely not American, is it really the Christian's place to stand up and fight against it? So, the government gets control of the car industry; they take control of the banks; they regulate the "free market" with minimum wages and other regulations. Yeah, it's un-American. History teaches that it doesn't work very well. But since this is not my kingdom, is that where I need to be fighting? Joseph, the man filled with the Spirit of God, used his wisdom and cunning to increase the government's control of goods and property, and to limit the rights of the people.
Alright... I'm ready... let the stones fly!
Just a political thought...
8 comments:
Regardless of a person's politics, how they respond to taxation, or what they believe is right for America, Christians need to stand up for righteousness as Joseph did. God will use his servants (full of the spirit) wherever he will, and in whatever way. I am challenged to be stronger than ever in a culture, or society that beats down the Bible, truth, creation, prayer, and anything that even resembles God. Too many Christians consider the reaction of their peers over the reverence to God.
Where i think your comparison breaks down is that Joseph was acting under Gods direction and was asking Him for guidance. 2 things i'm PRETTY SURE our current government is not doing.
'But since this is not my kingdom, is that where I need to be fighting?'
Egypt was not Joseph's kingdom either both from a spiritual and physical standpoint, if i can be so bold i think it's because christians have had the attitude of 'it's not my kingdom' that we see so few in public service today and a large part of why we are where we are as a nation.
also what time is your game so i can give you your jersey?
Ok, Matt, so if our leadership was asking for God's guidance, then going with a big, strong central government might be OK, like it was with Joseph?
I play at 4:30.
If that was what God was 'guiding' them to do then yes. i don't know that question or answer gets us anywhere;)
Hey Andy - I am way slow on this response but thought I might weigh in here a bit.
It appears that Joseph was doing this for Pharaoh - honoring those that had rule over him... :)
Genesis 47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.
It was for Pharaoh, not himself and certainly not for God. There are times, sadly, that we find ourselves having to submit to ungodly people and as long as those things do not stand against the word of God we are to be obedient unto them and to please them well in all things (Titus 2:9 - 10). I am fairly confident that had Pharaoh desired to bring his family into bondage Joseph would have refused to be a part of it.
What does seem to be a question though is, if these changes start to bring the people of God into bondage, then what is our response to be? Is it to stand against the government or to encourage / exhort the people of God to come out from among them?
Very curious of your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
David
David, your interaction encourages me to post more frequently. Perhaps with my schedule having freed up a bit I will.
I believe that a democratic republic that the United States began as, is a very interesting situation in that in some regards, "we the people" are the "powers that be." So, do we stand against the government? Or do we attempt to execute the powers that were given to us in the constitution (through things like voting, lobbying, informing, etc.), in order to change the government? I would lean towards the latter.
To answer more of your question, I am trying to think of a person that stepped down, or removed himself from his position of authority because of the sinfulness of the leader above him. I have not been able to readily come up with a good one. I am more inclined to think that they would have spoken against the sinful action, but maintained their position in order to have influence -- unless they were cast out by the higher power.
Last thought... Joseph did bring his family down into Egypt in that situation. Yes, it was necessary in order to save them at the present time. I wonder if Joseph knew the prophecy that God gave to Abraham that they would be in bondage.
I would be blessed if you would post more. I did read this a while ago and didn't have time to respond but I have had a bit more time lately as well.
Yeah, stepping down probably wouldn't actually be the consideration but standing against wouldn't be in the way that we understand it either. To stand against wickedness is clear, "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them". That is pretty hard to get away from. But to try to, by legislative means, stand against, I just don't see anyone doing either in Scripture. Maybe I'm not thinking through Scripture all that well at this point but I can't think of any examples. Not with Jesus or with Paul for sure.
I wondered about that with Joseph too. The question of why they stayed certainly has to loom large in our minds and that consideration should be very strong in applying that to our lives today. Know what I mean?
Thanks for the response and I'll look forward to more blogs.
By the way, hope your additional freedom to post is by choice. Let me know if you need anything.
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