Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." Psalm 147:1
Text: Genesis 47:1-31
FAMINE IN THE LAND
Joseph’s prediction of the famine was very accurate! His plan to save Egypt from being destroyed by the famine was astute. Pharaoh’s wisdom in appointing Joseph as his chief administrator in the time of the famine was well borne out.
“Now there was no bread in all the land;
for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt
and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine.”
GENESIS 47:13
JOSEPH’S WISE ADMINISTRATION
How did Joseph handle the famine that plagued the land of Egypt and Canaan? The following things were carefully noted.
1. Stage 1 – Where there was still money
Joseph had wisely stored up grain during the seven years of plenty! There was grain available to all! Since Joseph controlled the granaries, a black market was prevented.
“And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found
in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan,
for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought
the money into Pharaoh’s house.”
GENESIS 47:142. Stage 2 – Where there was no more money
The famine continued to ravage the land. How would the people survive if their money ran out?
“So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and
in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said,
‘Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence?
for the money has failed.'”
GENESIS 47:15Joseph entered into the barter trade. He suggested that livestock be sold to Pharaoh for grain.
“‘Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock,
if the money is gone.’ So they brought their livestock to Joseph,
and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks,
the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them
with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year.”
GENESIS 47:16-17
Joseph was not profiteering! He was just a wise administrator! Through this means, he saved Egypt and at the same time enriched the coffers of the Pharaoh!