Living under Pharaoh

A few weeks ago, I overheard a snippet of a conversation. I was in front of the Worship Center, on my way to the Life Center to be part of the Sunday school opening. Since I know almost everybody (at least in passing), I often find myself overhearing multiple conversations at once… especially in the hubbub between Sunday services.

The gist of what I heard sounded fairly political, and as I already said, I only heard a tiny portion of the conversation. A command and a question stuck in my head, though. The command: “read Genesis 47.” The question: “Do you think we are in danger of living under Pharaoh right now?” When I got home, I just HAD to open my Bible to Genesis and read Chapter 47.

The condensed version of Genesis 47 is the story of Joseph administering Egypt during the time of the famine. During the 7 years of plenty, Joseph (in the name of Pharaoh) had taxed the people 20% (one fifth) of what they produced. This was stored up in the cities in anticipation of the coming famine. Remember Pharaoh’s dreams? Look in Genesis 41 for the back story. What’s really impressive is the amount that was collected. In Genesis 41:49 the Bible states:

Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

When the famine came it was severe, but Egypt was prepared. As the famine spread over all the land Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. Not only did he sell grain to the Egyptians, but to all the countries, as the famine was severe in the entire world.

Because of the famine, people were buying grain but unable to produce anything, so eventually their money ran out. They came to Joseph and begged him for food, lest they die. Joseph agreed to sell them food in exchange for their livestock. When the livestock was exhausted, the people sold themselves and their land to Pharaoh. Joseph gave them food to eat and grain to plant, and required that 20% of their harvest be returned to Pharaoh. This was the same deal they had during the years of abundance… expect now all the money, livestock, and land belonged to Pharaoh, and all of the people were now living (willingly) in bondage under Pharaoh.

Ok, now on to the question: Are we living under Pharaoh now? I predict (only somewhat jokingly) that many people would welcome paying only 20% in taxes. I’m sure many people would point to Social Security, government bailouts, federal jobs programs, and universal healthcare to make their point that the United States is already living under Pharaoh. I’m not so sure.

I think that the story of Joseph has been replayed over and over throughout history. I bet you can come up with many examples. People end up living under Pharaoh… in bondage to Pharaoh… when they turn away from God and look only to human rulers to save them.

Just substitute government for Pharaoh.

We beg government to bail us out of a financial famine. The government bails out car companies and ends up owning the companies. The government bails out banks and ends up owning the banks. Does that sound familiar?

We see a famine coming at us as we age and can no longer work, so beg government to save us. It taxes us to store up for future years of famine, and then it taxes what it pays out. Sound familiar?

A famine of joblessness sweeps over the land and we beg government to save us. Government creates jobs, and suddenly the people are in bondage to government.

But none of that could possibly happen to us, right? God has warned us of the consequences of living under Pharaoh. Surely we will heed God’s warnings, and not live under Pharaoh.

Who is Pharaoh, anyway? In the original story, he is the ruler of Egypt; a divine entity. His word was law and his every wish was to be carried out without question. Throughout history, kings, emperors, and tyrants have claimed to be divine… or at least claimed a divine right to rule over their subjects. It’s almost too easy for these rulers to get their people to willingly hand themselves over to them and into bondage.

When people turn away from God, and look instead to an earthly king to feed, protect, or save them, they have already turned themselves over to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh hides behind many guises. He goes by many names. Whatever his name, his goal is still the total enslavement of people. Fear, addiction, shame, lust, hatred… does one of these Pharaohs hold you in bondage? Usually, we don’t need to look as far away as the government to find a Pharaoh. Often he finds us; right in our home, our workplace, or even in our churches.

With Easter fast approaching, we need to remember that Christ died to free us from sin and death AND bondage! He’s already paid the terrible price to redeem you. Whatever it was that holds you enslaved to Pharaoh, Jesus has already paid for your release. Look up. Take Christ’s hand and let him lift you out of the slave pit.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave