Genesis 47:23 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.
Commentary says very little, almost nothing, about this section of verses. But these verses have me thinking about planting, growing, and harvesting–all of which takes time, which brings us back to the motif of waiting again.
Genesis 47:24 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.”
Joseph had to wait years after his brother sold him into slavery to be reconciled. He waited years after he helped the Pharaoh’s officials in jail to be remembered. We have spent almost a year plowing through the book of Genesis. And yet, all that waiting has brought us all closer to God.
Genesis 47:25 “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”
Precious Savior, Waiting can be frustrating; however, if we seek You as we wait, if we read and study and seek, You will always draw us closer in the waiting. Thank You. If possible, help us to be more patient in the waiting. If not, help us at least remember that it is worth it, that You are drawing us closer. Amen.
Genesis 47:26 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.
Have a blessed day.