Genesis 41:57

During the days of plenty the world paid little heed to Joseph. Of his brothers we hear nothing, they were completely indifferent to him. When, however, the shortage set in, need is awakened... The need calls out a cry for bread. The Gentiles have to learn, and the brothers discover, that no one can meet the need except the one they once scorned and rejected. The Gentiles must "go to Joseph," and the brothers must bow before him with their faces to the ground. The once rejected but now exalted man is alone the resource, both for Gentile nations and for Jacob and his sons.

The details that follow reveal the admirable administration of Joseph. For most people, huge plenty leads to reckless spending and waste. But he knew in Whom he believed. He wisely took up the duty that fell on him more than on anyone else in Egypt, and he provided for the years of extreme want. So everyone living on the land was to benefit to the highest degree, from the king down to every subject — and far beyond that land as well.

Egypt is prepared for them; then God sends famine, and drives them there. Truly His hand is seen at every step. God could have fed them in the land despite the famine, as He did with both Abraham and Isaac. But principles had to be learned there which could be learned nowhere else... To provide food was not the main object. It was a smaller purpose serving a greater one: that in Joseph there might be a picture of one greater than himself, who suffered from a deeper hatred, and who is a greater Deliverer from a worse famine.

As in the famine in Egypt all who came to Pharaoh were told to "Go to Joseph," so now all who come to God must come through the Lord Jesus... He has fought the fight, He has gained the victory, He has glorified God. Now He is raised and glorified. As the result of Christ's victory, God gives every blessing He has for man through Christ as Lord.

Joseph opened all the storehouses of Egypt. In the same way, the Lord Jesus has opened the storehouses of heaven through His great sacrifice at Calvary, to bless those who have found themselves reduced to spiritual poverty. One great contrast, however, is that the Lord Jesus gives freely, "without money and without price." People from all countries came to Egypt to buy food (v. 57). The grace of God in Christ is available for all the nations today, at a time when the whole world is in a state of spiritual famine.

This famine, we have seen, is a picture of "the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth" (Rev. 3:10)... The nations flocking to Joseph to buy grain picture the great gospel movement among the nations that do not know God, after the removal of the Church. Joseph opened all the storehouses to these starving peoples. In the same way, Christ will open the rich, full stores of the grace of God to the nations outside of Christendom.