“Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?” (Genesis 42:1)
Egypt and all the surrounding tribes have entered a period of famine.
Everyone is starving, except Egypt. Under the guidance of Joseph they have put up stores of grain to not just feed Egyptians, but to also gain profit by selling grain to the tribes that are starving.
There are eleven son’s of Israel that still live with him. He sends ten of Joseph’s brothers to obtain food. He keeps Benjamin, the youngest, at home to keep him safe. (Gen 42:2-5)
Israel’s sons leave Canaan and travel to Egypt to buy Corn.
There are terms that are not what we in the modern world understand. Corn, as described in ancient Egypt is not the Corn we have come to know in the modern world. Grains, such as wheat and rye come from a grass that produces seeds at the top of the grain. Some people call them berries.
To grow wheat requires the right nutrients and the right amount of water. Before the advent of irrigation, wheat was sown in fields that were near a water source. Some of the wheat would grow quickly and strong. Some of the wheat would wither from lack of water, or drown because of too much water. The Nile region would go through cycles of flood or drought.
Predicting when an area would flood or be dry was impossible in ancient times. In fact, predicting it today suffers the same problem. People in ancient times had to sow the wheat where the water would most likely be. When they did it right they had plenty. When they did it wrong they had nothing.
Grains were not just for people to eat directly. Grains and grasses were important to keep their livestock alive. When a primary source of food is scarce, all of the sources of food become scarce.
Pharaoh’s dream from God and interpreted by Joseph through God predicted exactly when there would be plenty and when their would be famine. Joseph, through the guidance of God, created a means to put up excess food for the times of famine. It would allow Egypt to become rich in lean times.
This is what happens to us. When our lives are easy and there is plenty, we lose sight of God. Praising God’s grace is ignored when things are good. When things go bad it is often people blaming God for what they don’t have.
Israel is starving as Egypt grows stronger in times of famine. When we pray God always provides us with what we need. Israels prayers will be heard.
Stay tuned for part II…
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