The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end,
Genesis 41 ends at a turning point: the plenty Pharaoh dreamed of runs out on time, and the years of hunger begin. The rest of Joseph's story turns on two questions — who prepared, and what will the man in charge do now?
The Word Kept to the Day
Pharaoh had dreamed the same message twice. One writer explains what the repeat meant.
William KellyJoseph explains that both dreams pointed to one event: seven years of plenty, followed by the same number of years of famine, worse than any before. Both were God's doing, for extraordinary ends. So was His making it all known to Pharaoh, which lay beyond what any man could know. The doubling of the dream showed not only that it was certain, but that it would come quickly. God does not deceive, and He is not mocked.
Plenty Has a Limit
Good years feel permanent while they last. One writer applies the end of Egypt's plenty to the world at large.
Frederick W. GrantIt is when we face our need that we learn how truly nothing we are, and cry out to Him who then proves Himself the living God. But God's remedy is Christ alone. He has put all things into His hand, completely and without ever taking it back. He would have all men to be saved, but no other name is given by which we can be saved. What is true of one person is true of the world. The world at large will not turn to God in Christianity's years of plenty. So drought and famine come from the same hand that gave the blessing unrecognised.
Another writer brings this into the present day.
Hamilton SmithIn this day of grace the world is passing through its "seven plentiful years," when the grace of God is handing out blessings by "handfuls." The people of the world may completely ignore the blessings that grace brings to their door, and go on their way with no thought for the future. It seems the men of Egypt made no use of the years of plenty to store up for the years of famine.
One Country Was Ready
Egypt was not spared the famine. It was simply the one country that got ready for it.
Leslie M. GrantThe seven years of plenty come to an end, as God had warned through Joseph. The famine came, not only to Egypt, but to other countries also. But Egypt alone had prepared for the famine.
One writer boils Joseph's plan down to a single rule.
W. T. P. WolstonJoseph's advice is very simple. During the years of plenty, store up for the future. Yes — prepare for the future; that is the point.
Power in the Hands of the Man They Threw Away
The famine put Joseph in charge of the food. His brothers and the Egyptians who had wronged him now needed him to survive.
Hamilton SmithHow will Joseph act in the years of famine? His brothers had thrown him into the pit; the Gentiles had thrown him into prison. Will Joseph seize the world's desperate need, and his brothers' need, as his chance to take revenge? Human nature might act that way, but grace takes another road. Joseph will use his place of supreme power to bless everyone. Yet while he shows grace he will uphold righteousness. So the Gentiles will be forced to cry out in need, and they must submit to Joseph before they receive the blessing.
Hunger Creates the Search
While the storehouses filled, nobody cared about the man filling them. Hunger changed that.
Hamilton SmithDuring the days of plenty the world paid little attention to Joseph. We hear nothing of his brothers; they had no interest in him at all. But when the famine set in, need woke up… The need brings out a cry for bread, and the Gentiles have to learn, and his brothers discover, that no one can meet the need except the man they once despised and rejected.
Pharaoh sent the starving crowds to one man. One writer hears the gospel in that answer.
F. B. HoleWhen the people cried to Pharaoh for help, his reply was simple: "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do." This at once reminds us of the words spoken by the mother of our Lord at His first miracle: "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). Does a sinner with a stricken conscience cry out today for salvation? The answer is three words: "Go to Jesus." All God's grace and generosity flows through Him.
Summary
- Warned — God doubled the dream to show it was certain and near. The plenty ended when He said it would.
- Wasted — Egypt's people enjoyed seven rich years and stored nothing. Only the man who believed the warning laid food up.
- Withdrawn — Comfort does not turn hearts to God, so the same hand that gave the abundance sends the famine.
- Wanted — Ignored while the barns were full, Joseph becomes the one name on every hungry lip once the food runs out.
- Welcomed — He could have used the crisis for revenge. Grace chose to bless everyone instead, and Pharaoh met the cry for bread with three words: go to Joseph.