Interesting comment about Joseph ruling in Egypt

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Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#23
153 is the number of fish the apostles caught after following Jesus' instruction
to set their nets on the right side of the boat (post resurrection) ;):D
846 is the number they would have caught if they hadn't complained at the beginning. Fish wait for no man...except maybe Jonah.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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#26
Nothing like an unexpected free lunch.
This topic of whether or not Jonah was swallowed by a fish has come up in a few threads, with some saying that obviously he was not in the belly of a fish at all, but in Sheol, that is to say, dead! And I pondered on this a bit, because Jesus mentioned Jonah being in the belly of a huge fish, and I do understand people's reticence to fully accept it was indeed a fish, but on the other hand... any ways, my thoughts wandered to how God could protect Jonah in this huge fish's belly from abdominal fluids and whatnot by shutting down the fish's digestive tract, because surely otherwise Jonah would perish there? I wondered how much room Jonah would have to move around (if at all), and how he would be able to avoid moving further down the digestive tract... Did I tell you I have an active imagination? :unsure::giggle: Of course all the while God is protecting him, and preventing any of those things from happening! Meanwhile the fish is feeling ill because his bodily functions have shut down ever since he swallowed that human! So he finally vomits him out. So much for a free lunch!!! LOL
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#27
This topic of whether or not Jonah was swallowed by a fish has come up in a few threads, with some saying that obviously he was not in the belly of a fish at all, but in Sheol, that is to say, dead! And I pondered on this a bit, because Jesus mentioned Jonah being in the belly of a huge fish, and I do understand people's reticence to fully accept it was indeed a fish, but on the other hand... any ways, my thoughts wandered to how God could protect Jonah in this huge fish's belly from abdominal fluids and whatnot by shutting down the fish's digestive tract, because surely otherwise Jonah would perish there? I wondered how much room Jonah would have to move around (if at all), and how he would be able to avoid moving further down the digestive tract... Did I tell you I have an active imagination? :unsure::giggle: Of course all the while God is protecting him, and preventing any of those things from happening! Meanwhile the fish is feeling ill because his bodily functions have shut down ever since he swallowed that human! So he finally vomits him out. So much for a free lunch!!! LOL
I enjoy your fertile mind but the answer is simple. I saw it in a children's picture Bible as a youth. Jonah was inside a sperm whale and started a campfire and ate fish until the fish got overheated and spit him out.
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
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#30
Without Joseph we might not have an Egypt today.
I agree. I guess the Op didn't realize that Joseph was a savior to the Israelites & was obedient to the Most High.

Perhaps he ought to question God instead of Joseph.
 
Feb 21, 2016
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#31
If people want more insight on the 144,000 study the remnant like Joseph.He's the cupbear,he is given a signet ring,he is put in charge during a famine.He saves his brothers who wanted him dead.
It all relates to the book of Revelation in a spiritual sense.So don't look at Joseph in this way.The Lord leads his actions for a reason.

When the 144,000 are cup bearers and offer you to drink of the cup.That's the spiritual meaning.What they are doing is preaching you the Word out of the good book.
Because they will be filled with his spirit,it will be like Jesus himself is offering you drink.

There's a hand sign for cup bearer as well.Just cup your hands.Remember 10 fingers for the 10 commandments.The thumbs for the covenants.Get it? it's the word of God.That's the role of the cup bearer.

When God sent Gideon's army down to the river to drink and set aside a remnant of 300.He choose the ones who cupped their hands together.Meaning those who are obedient to his word.

Judges 7:5-6
So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
 

JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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#32
I agree. I guess the Op didn't realize that Joseph was a savior to the Israelites & was obedient to the Most High.

Perhaps he ought to question God instead of Joseph.
Did GOD tell Joseph to make all the egyptian people slaves?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,677
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#33
Many things we admire in Joseph, but we must not be blind to the fact that he thought more of binding the people to the throne than of benefiting the people themselves.
I believe this is a fair assessment. While there is no doubt that Joseph had many positive qualities, including the kindness he showed to his brothers, and gave them the best land in Egypt, he also worked on behalf of Pharaoh and as a result enslaved the Egyptians, but showed favoritism to the pagan priests of Egypt. In this he did not do God's will: Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. (Gen 47:23) This made the Egyptians practically indentured laborers. So possibly as retribution, the next Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites and treated them very harshly.
 

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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#34
Did GOD tell Joseph to make all the egyptian people slaves?
Why not? Are the righteous not slaves of God?

"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."

Joseph was a type and shadow of the King who would come to save all from the famine of the Word. The lack of food returns a man to his Father's house.

"But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want (starve). 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."
 

JohnB

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#35
Why not? Are the righteous not slaves of God?

"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."

Joseph was a type and shadow of the King who would come to save all from the famine of the Word. The lack of food returns a man to his Father's house.

"But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want (starve). 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."
They were made slaves of Pharaoh, big difference.
 

Journeyman

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Jan 10, 2019
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#36
I. CONSIDER THE POLICY OF THIS EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER. Many things we admire in Joseph, but we must not be blind to the fact that he thought more of binding the people to the throne than of benefiting the people themselves. He was the first statesman of that day. His policy determined in great measure what should be the standard of internal prosperity, and what position the country should hold in the eyes of other nations. He sought to make Pharaoh's rule absolute. He gave no benefit without payment, no supplies without sacrifice. He took all the money first (Genesis 47:14), then the cattle (ibid. ver. 16), then the lands and their persons (ibid. ver. 23). He thus reduced the people of Egypt to the position of slaves. He made all the land crown lands. Thus the monarch was pleased, and the priests, being exempt, were flattered. It is possible that in this Joseph laid the foundation of that system of mismanagement, which has made the most flourishing spot in the world the basest of kingdoms. He seems also to have striven to give some sort of preeminence to his brethren, and to advance them. Exempt from the burdens pressing on others, they gained power, and would have become eventually the dominant race in Egypt, but that another Pharaoh arose who knew not Joseph, i.e. who, although he knew of his having lived and served the nation, yet recognized not his policy. The state to which Joseph reduced the Egyptians was that to which afterwards his own descendants were reduced. Thus our plans are overthrown. Time tries success, and by removing dimness from our vision enables us to test it better.
Joseph As Prime Minister
Genesis 41:40
Sermon by F. Hastings
I disagree with your view of Joseph. In many ways, Joseph is an image of Christ in the OT. One thing we learn under the command of our Lord Jesus, is how we really don't own anything. We have only been lent and are stewards of what belongs to God.
There is no comparison between Joseph and the Egyptian king who rose to power who didn't know Joseph.
The story of enslavement in Egypt was meant to convey bondage to sin. Joseph led no one into sin, but did, like Christ, forgive those who wronged him.
 

JohnB

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#37
I disagree with your view of Joseph. In many ways, Joseph is an image of Christ in the OT. One thing we learn under the command of our Lord Jesus, is how we really don't own anything. We have only been lent and are stewards of what belongs to God.
There is no comparison between Joseph and the Egyptian king who rose to power who didn't know Joseph.
The story of enslavement in Egypt was meant to convey bondage to sin. Joseph led no one into sin, but did, like Christ, forgive those who wronged him.
Enslaving the people of Egypt had nothing to do with sin. Joseph was a man, with all the failings of a man. We were made in the image of GOD, but we are not GOD. You're mixing the New Testament teachings with Old Testament history.
 

JohnB

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#39
The Egyptians suggested it to Joseph so they would not starve.
They pleaded with him to make them slaves and he made them slaves....he didn't have to, but he did.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#40
The Egyptians suggested it to Joseph so they would not starve.
He could have turned around and made more righteous arrangements. When people are desperate for food they will suggest anything. But one does not take advantage of their desperation, and that is what Joseph did.