(January 19, 2016 at 10:25 am)Irrational Wrote:(January 19, 2016 at 10:23 am)Drich Wrote: IDK I think Joseph had a pretty good run as Pharaoh's slave. No one had a higher position in all of Egypt. He literally ruled, and only answered to Pharaoh himself.
Joseph was promoted according to the Bible ... no longer a slave ... please stop embarrassing yourself
By title yes he was promoted to governor (chapter 45 of genesis) however in freedom Pharaoh still controlled his ability to come and go as he liked. Example found in Genesis 50 when he wanted to bury his Father in his home land. He had to Ask Pharaoh and vow he would return as soon as his task was complete, and Pharaoh only allowed him to go based on his vow.
Now if you were simply employed by the state would you not simply inform them of your need for time off? Why would one have to swear out a vow to return, unless one is not free to come and go as he pleases? Not to mention Pharaoh also sent an entire envoy of Egyptians with him including servants, heads of state and soldiers.
But what really tells us that Joseph is a slaves is found in Genesis 47 when the drought gets so bad All of Egypt sells everything they have to Pharaoh (including all regents and governors) While Pharaoh retained title and deed they retain control/worked their lands. Yet the drought continues and finally they sell themselves, at which point Pharaoh simply took care of them till the end of the drought. And they are reported to have said in Genesis 47:25 The people said, “You have saved our lives. We are happy to be slaves to Pharaoh.”
The only exception slavery were the priests. Joseph and His family (who at that time lived in Egypt) were apart of "all the people of Egypt."
