We all know the story from Genesis – how he wisely stored up food for the famine. But what became of that fortune?
Well, legend has it that Joseph, a brilliant administrator if ever there was one, divided the wealth into three impressive stashes.
According to Legends of the Jews, the first portion went to Pharaoh, as you might expect. He was, after all, Joseph's boss. That makes sense. But here's where it gets interesting. The second part, that immense hoard of riches, was hidden away in the wilderness. Can you imagine stumbling across that? The story goes that Korah, yes, the very same Korah who rebelled against Moses, actually found it! But, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. The treasure vanished again. We're told it won't reappear until the Messianic era, olam ha-ba, when it will be used for the benefit of the truly righteous. A tantalizing thought, isn't it? Imagine that wealth reappearing to help usher in a better world!
And the third part? This is perhaps the most intriguing. Joseph supposedly concealed it in the sanctuary of Baal-zephon. Baal-zephon was a deity, a kind of Canaanite storm god. His sanctuary became a place called Pi-hahiroth. Why hide it there? Perhaps it was seen as a secure place, a temple dedicated to a powerful god. Or perhaps it was a deliberate act, a test. Whatever the reason, the Israelites, in their exodus from Egypt, seized this treasure as booty. Imagine what that must have felt like: taking back wealth that had been used, perhaps, to oppress them!
So, there you have it. A glimpse into the legendary fate of Joseph's wealth. One part given to the ruler, one part hidden for a future, more righteous time, and one part taken as spoils of a hard-won freedom. It makes you think about the different ways wealth can be used, doesn’t it? And the enduring hope for a future where it will be used for good.