A Grievous Blessing
Gen 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
Joseph orders a tax for Pharaoh of 20%. This is not a tithe, but actually more than the tithe. The taxation laws are permitted by God, and ordained by God. It is strange that God ordained a tithe …10% for His own …but 20% to Pharaoh. Is it a wonder that He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light? This was in a period of serious inflation (failure of money) and dearth (outside the barns of Pharaoh)… and to add to their pains …farming in a time of famine and difficulty …perhaps there were no rains and the harvest was lean …Do recall that this was in the seven years of leanness. A higher tax is levied again as though the burdens of leanness were not sufficient.
The systems of the world has learnt a lot from what God has assigned to the children of Egypt. The higher taxes, in times of recession …the increase in costs and levies in periods of inflation multiplies the travails of the wicked. The wicked must fend for themselves. they must find seed, feed their household out of 80% of what is left after working hard in a tough terrain. But this is not the lot of the children of Israel. Indeed all are bound to obey the rules of the land – even taxation, but there is another kingdom, another realm of spiritual and physical provision. A place called Goshen. All our increase must glorify God as we obey the rules of the land. Are you in any way cheating on your taxes …it is a good time to repent and restitute. Although the Egyptians are fed, they do so only through labor harvesting the fields in times of tough famine. God’s best is not to keep us from evil through a grievous process. Like Jabez, God has supernatural provisions that keeps us from evil without grievous yokes. May we be so blessed to give so easily from the excess of God in our care.
1Ch 4:10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed … that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
Song.
Zacchaeus was a tax man who one day climbed a tree,
For he was short in stature and said he could not see.
And yet he had a problem that mattered even more:
He didn’t see the suffering his greed had caused the poor
O Lord, you saw Zacchaeus– so wealthy, yet alone.
You said, “Come down—and hurry! I’m coming to your home.”
For you broke bread with sinners and saw within each one
A person loved and treasured– God’s daughter or God’s son.
It wasn’t just the treetop that helped Zacchaeus see;
Your love and welcome showed him how different life could be.
He said that he’d start over and work to make things fair;
He’d speak the truth, bring justice, and find new ways to share.
O Christ, you bid us welcome and help us all to see!
May we respond by building a just society.
Then children won’t be hungry and all will share your bread.
Then those who now must struggle will live in joy instead
Prayer: Lord, may I not partake in the lot of the wicked. Change my positioning. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
