Genesis 41:53-55 shows us that Joseph, like a shrewd businessman, not only saves the kingdom of Egypt from famine, but he makes the land prosper economically in doing so. He enacts an emergency tax on the land during the seven years of plenty in order to store up against the famine. When the years of famine come, he sells the grain, both to the people of the land and to foreigners who come to buy food. No corn dole or welfare to be found here. So instead of simply giving away the fruit of the land he reaps the economic benefit of foresight.
While reading Genesis I have been particularly struck by how gracious God is even to those who are his enemies, and those who will become his enemies.
When Hagar is driven away from the mother of the covenant child Isaac, God has mercy on her and promises her that her child will become a great nation. That child is Ishmael, who is the father of the Arab Muslims today. When God determines to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, Abraham intercedes for any righteous who may dwell in the city. Because of this, God has mercy on Lot, and allows him to escape the judgement with his daughters. By incestuous union, those daughters bear both Moab and Ammon.
Ishmael, Moab, and Ammon later become Israel’s greatest enemies and stumbling blocks to the people of God. But God not only allows them to prosper when they are evil, but he ensures that they will come into being by acts of special preservation.
Of course, we also remember that God uses this to his ends. Later from Moab comes Ruth, who will be one of the great women in the line of Jesus Christ. And as long as we are talking about those who were the enemies of God, we must remember ourselves. Christ prayed for those who were crucifying him.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10
Theology | Christopher Kou | 
November 18, 2011 2:20 PM | 
Comments (0) 
Subscribe
