Today I read Genesis 37, 39-41, and 47, in which God prepared Joseph to be a leader that saved countless lives and enriched Egypt’s kingdom in food and people. Today I considered that even though people knew the famine was coming, they had to live with the consequences of not being prepared.
God Prepared and Trained Joseph
God gave Joseph a dream about his future, and trained him before giving him a kingdom (Genesis 39 and 39-41). Joseph shared his dream about being over his brothers. His brothers, driven by jealousy, then sold him into slavery. God’s grace was with Joseph. Joseph became the head of Potiphar’s household, learning to run a rich person’s property and monitor servants and workers. Potiphar’s wife wanting Joseph did not lead to his death but to Joseph becoming the keeper of the king’s prison. Then a prior prison mate connected Joseph to Pharaoh, to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. Upon God giving Joseph understanding for the dream, Pharaoh put Joseph over storing up food during the seven years of plenty. Joseph eventually became over the kingdom of Egypt.
Enrichment and Enslavement
Egypt gained money and people during the famine (Genesis 47:13-26). The people of Egypt and others knew the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. They knew that Egypt was storing food during the seven years of plenty in preparation for seven years of famine. They did not prepare and store food. The first year they gave all of their money and cattle for food. The second year they sold their lands and themselves into slavery to be able to eat. Egypt was enriched in money and slaves through the famine.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God always warns his children about what they will be facing. Egypt and the surrounding kingdoms knew the famine was coming. While everyone was able to survive, those that were prepared stayed free and those that were not became enslaved.
What have you seen or heard the warnings to prepare for?