Genesis 47:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is why the Lord proclaimed, ‘He that hath done one of these things hath done for Me,’ and, ‘He that receiveth the prophet, in the name of the prophet, shall receive the prophet's reward’ (Matthew 10:41). Does the Lord dispense His rewards based on the status or frailty of His servants? He measures out rewards or judgments based on your intent. Just as the honor directed through God's ministers instills courage in us—because all that is done for them is also regarded as done for Him—so too does disdain result in severe consequences. The Lord accepts both honor and contempt directed toward His chosen representatives. Understanding this, let us remain vigilant in our care for the Priests of God. I express this not merely out of concern for them, but rather for your own love for God, hoping that through your actions, you might secure His favor. Do you contribute as generously as you receive from the Lord? What acts of service do you provide? Even for these seemingly small and fleeting efforts, you may attain enduring rewards and extraordinary blessings. As we contemplate this, let us be mindful of these services, focusing not on their cost, but on the benefits and gains they offer. If we, for instance, seek to assist someone close to a person of worldly distinction, knowing that their honor reflects upon their benefactor, how much more should we do for the Lord of all? When someone demonstrates kindness and compassion to a stranger or a traveler, the Lord, recognizing this deed, assures that those who have acted kindly will be welcomed into His heavenly kingdom, saying, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father: for I was hungry, and ye gave Me to eat’ (Matt. 25:34-35). All the more shall one who serves those laboring for the Lord, adorned with sacred responsibility, not only receive equal reward but far greater, for the Lord, who is full of love for humanity, abundantly rewards our good deeds. Therefore, let us not be inferior to the unbelievers, who, despite their misguided devotion to idols, showed great care for their ministers. Given the vast difference between falsehood and truth, between the servants of idols and the servants of the Almighty, let us also reflect this difference in our respect, so that we may receive greater rewards from above.

Therefore, he first gathered all the money, followed by everything else, ultimately granting ownership of the lands to the king, not to dispossess anyone, but to bolster the community and impose a fair tax, allowing people to retain their properties in peace. Those who relinquished their land approved of his actions, viewing it not as a sale of their rights but as a means of preservation. They expressed gratitude, stating, “You have saved our lives, we have found favor in the sight of our lord” (Gen. 47:25). In restoring their rights, they lost nothing of their possessions, instead gaining hope for the future. The great man did not pursue fleeting recognition through excessive generosity; instead, he solidified the wisdom of self-sufficiency, encouraging the populace to support themselves through taxation and discouraging them from relying on external assistance during times of scarcity. It is wiser to share a portion of one’s harvest than to risk everything. Joseph mandated that a fifth of the harvest be given, demonstrating insight and fairness in tax assessment. Consequently, Egypt never encountered such a famine again.