Famine Part 2

Last week we began looking at Genesis 47… at least the middle portion of that chapter. And the section we were looking at begins with four very disheartening words: There was no food.

The passage specifically is Genesis 47:13-27. we read that last week and I would encourage you to read it if unfamiliar with the text.

Joseph is the governor of the land… his family is doing well in the Goshen region, but the rest of Egypt and Canaan were suffering greatly for the famine that was taking place.

The text tells the story. First, the people gave all their money for grain. Second, they gave all their livestock for food. Lastly, they gave their freedom and land for seed.

Throughout this entire process, the people do not grumble against Joseph nor do they plot against him.

In fact, near the end of the text, they praise Joseph for saving their lives!

This tells me two important things.

One, they fully understood the desperation of the situation. This was a BAD famine! They did all they could to prepare, but it was still an overwhelming situation!

Second, Joseph had a good reputation with the people. Joseph continued to operate in the favor of the Lord… and it shows. In doing what he did, Joseph fundamentally changed the agricultural system in Egypt. This was a big change but the people, trusted their leader and the leader, trusted in God.

Joseph’s reputation was good… but that alone could not change the situation around. Joseph took action and began setting the nations up for success.

As the people were willing to follow his lead,

Two: Joseph Took Care of Immediate AND Future Needs.

Joseph wasn’t working just to find an answer for the day… He was trying to set up a long-term plan to help the nation survive beyond the famine.

If the food in storage was given out only for consumption… there would come a day when that provision would run out. But… if what they had was invested… then more would be available in the days to come.

I’m sure we have all heard the phrase, “give a man a fish… feed him for a day… teach a man to fish… feed him for a lifetime.”

The people knew how to farm and grow crops… but the needed resources to do so were gone. So Joseph resets the way things operated in Egypt.

First, Joseph takes care of immediate needs.

In verse 14, a transaction takes place between the people and Joseph. Money is given in exchange for grain.

The original word used here literally means “that which is broken” or that which has been threshed. This is grain in the form of rations.

A ration is an allowance. It is a determined amount given to be spread out over a certain amount of time. With rations, you hope that what you have will be enough to get you through the allotted time ahead.

Pretty soon, all the money was gone but the famine continued.

Secondly, Joseph continues to meet immediate needs with a bit more supply.

Verses 15-16 show the agreed exchange of livestock from the people for food from the storehouse. There is a bit more sustenance in this transaction as the livestock given were of greater value.

This is the only passage in the Joseph story that the Hebrew word for food (lehem) is used.

But even with this increase, the need continues on.

The famine is proving difficult to overcome. If the storehouse is continually hit… it will soon run dry. So what is the next step? Cut off all food supply and let the people starve. NO!!! That is NOT what God sent Joseph there to do!

Lastly, Joseph invests and reforms the system

The cost is great for the people… but so is the risk for Joseph. The people have no money, they have no livestock… all they have is land and freedom.

So Joseph makes a deal with them - their land and freedom… for seed. Now seed is different from grain or food… why?

Because seed… can be sown. Seed can be planted. Joseph knows this and gives this instruction to the people.

Genesis 47:23–24 NIV

23 Joseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. 24 But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.”

This seed is given to be planted. The people will work the ground that now belongs to Pharoah BUT… they keep 80 percent of the harvest, while the other 20 percent goes back to Pharoah.

The people can now begin to get back on their feet, and the storehouse will be replenished.

But it would require… investment. The people would have to give all they had and Joseph had to trust they would indeed manage the seed according to plan.

Any time you plant seed… there is risk. With any investment there is risk. You are not guaranteed a return.

In this case, Joseph had to trust the people with the seed. Think about it… what good would it be for Pharoah to own the land… if there was no seed to plant? If the people misused the seed, it would greatly jeopardize the future of the nation.

BUT… the people needed food, and Egypt needed to replenish the storehouse. So… trust was issued.

And I have to believe that once again, God’s favor on Joseph helped the people to trust the agreement made.

Thus, the system is reformed, the people would survive, and the storehouse would be replenished.

Joseph… under the direction and wisdom of the Lord… led the people through the famine. He continued to operate in the calling of God on his life and Egypt was saved because of his faithfulness.

Three: The Favor of God Outlasts Any Famine

I realize I have been pushing the point regarding God’s favor throughout the last several weeks… but I want to hit it one more time.

Joseph remained in the favor of God… even while living in unfavorable circumstances. Now as ruler of Egypt… Joseph doesn’t allow for his favorable circumstances to move him out of God’s favor.

If you have nothing at all but the favor of God in your life… you have all that you will ever need.

Houses, lands, money, provision, freedom, livestock, etc. All these things are good to have… but God’s favor is something that is GREAT to have.

Joseph successfully led this change because of God’s continued favor. That favor continued because of Joseph’s commitment to the call. He knew God brought him to where he was for a reason.

Stay faithful to God… no matter the circumstances. Because God maybe using you for something greater than you could ever imagine.

If leading change… do so with good character, integrity, and no hidden motives. Remain honorable in the eyes of the Lord.

If giving help… do so for immediate needs and future needs. Take a risk, make an investment… you might just be saving a life.

ALWAYS Trust the Lord for guidance and direction.