Genesis 47:18 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.
Commentary talks about how fair Joseph is with his taxes on the land (20% to Pharaoh of the total produced), but what sticks out to me is in verse 21: “Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.”
Genesis 47:19 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.”
Joseph did to the Egyptians exactly what was done to him: sold them into servitude. The circumstances are different (jealous brothers out to make a profit versus a shrewd manager of resources), but isn’t the end result the same? That bothers me.
Genesis 47:20-21 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, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.
Precious Savior, Again I am left wondering what You are trying to show me here. Joseph’s behavior feels wrong, yet I know that You have used him powerfully in this story thus far. Help me, especially when I am confused, to keep reading, keep seeking, keep looking for You as I read Your scripture. I know You will bring me clarity or show me that You are with me even in my confusion. Thank You. Amen.
Genesis 47:22 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.
Have a blessed day.