(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
(Genesis 15:13-14 [AKJV/PCE])
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
This chapter is about the preparation of Israel's captivity, where they were forced to go to Pharaoh for food during a famine, God placing Joseph in a position of prominence, the enemy trying to unsuccessfully destroy Joseph, then a restoration of Joseph to his former position and glory, all due to God, same as the butler only he forgot Joseph; God remembered Joseph and Israel. It must be stated that, in God's Sovereignty, only God knows what is about to happen by His Divine Hand. Neither Pharaoh, the butler, the baker, Joseph, and guards, nor Jacob, nor all of Israel, anyone in Egypt or any place else on earth knew what was taking place, nor what would, as in Israel's captivity. They knew through Abraham, if they believed the prophecy of the Scriptures, that this WOULD happen, but how? The method is about discernable as knowing what is on the bottom of the ocean, standing on the shore, skipping rocks. This chapter is the start of how it will unfold, revealed, slowly. Eventually Israel will grow so large as a nation as to be a threat to the empire, and have to be ousted, like God said, "afterward shall they come out", four hundred years, richly blessed. God's doing in God's timing, always perfect. The Egyptians were the seed of Canaan, who was of Ham, and Canaan was accursed by God in Genesis 9:25, and Joseph's being sold into this land was why the Israelites would even be provided for at all, because of God, not because of Joseph, not because of Pharaoh, nor because of Egypt.
(Genesis 41:1 [AKJV/PCE])
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
Him standing by the river will indicate that the events this represents will happen while he watches, before his own two eyes
(Genesis 41:2 [AKJV/PCE])
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
This, of course, represents the next seven years of plenty God will give to Egypt and Israel
KINE, plu. of cow. But cows, the regular plural, is now in general use.
(Genesis 41:3-4 [AKJV/PCE])
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
This represents the famine years of seven coming after that
As the cows eat up the cows, so do the years of famine eat up the store of our food to feed hungry mouths, as is always the case
Weird dream, but nothing so weird as to make him stay awake, on to sleep and the next dream!
(Genesis 41:5 [AKJV/PCE])
And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
The word "rank" here simply has an old, original definition of fat, nothing more, and the built-in dictionary in the King James Bible tells us so in verse seven, coming next: "rank and full"
Perhaps the fact that they are on one stalk is seven years in a row of plenty, since kernels of corn grow in rows
King James Dictionary - Rank
Rank: Fat.
(Genesis 41:6-7 [AKJV/PCE])
And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
Blasted......suddenly a hot wind dries up the good years
So, in the end, the seven bad years of famine will eat up the good years of plenty for those who are unaware of it coming and do not store
(Genesis 41:8 [AKJV/PCE])
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
This is because truth, true interpretations, true prophecies only come from God
The fact is that, short of God telling us, no person would ever conclude what God is about to reveal from these dreams, and the enemy (working through the magicians and wise men of Egypt) does not know, either
(Genesis 41:9 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
Sometimes it takes a memory jolt to bring us back to something
Without this, Joseph was forgotten by both the butler and Pharaoh
Once again, the providential Hand of God
FAULT, n. [See Fail.]
Properly, an erring or missing; a failing; hence, an error or mistake; a blunder; a defect; a blemish; whatever impairs excellence; applied to things.
In morals or deportment, any error or defect; an imperfection; any deviation from propriety; a slight offense; a neglect of duty or propriety, resulting from
inattention or want of prudence, rather than from design to injure or offend, but liable to censure or objection. I do remember my faults this day. Gen 41
. If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such as one in the spirit of meekness. Gal 6. Fault implies wrong, and often some degree of criminality.
Defect; want; absence. [Not now used. See Default.] I could tell to thee, as to one if pleases me, for fault of a better to call my friend.
Puzzle; difficulty. Among sportsmen, when dogs lose the scent, they are said to be at fault. Hence the phrase, the inquirer is at fault.
In mining, a fissure in strata, causing a dislocation of the same, and thus interrupting the course of veins. To find fault, to express blame; to complain. Thou wilt say then, why doth he yet find fault? Rom 9. To find fault with, to blame; to censure; as, to find fault with the times, or with a neighbor's conduct.
(Genesis 41:10 [AKJV/PCE])
Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
God's providence for Joseph and Israel
For the butler, a way to gain favor with Pharaoh, not that he cares for Joseph, as he did not then when Joseph asked from him favor with Pharaoh to get released
THE WARD OF THE BUTLER, THE BAKER, AND JOSEPH
(Genesis 40:1-3 [AKJV/PCE])
And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
(Genesis 41:11-12 [AKJV/PCE])
And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
One thing that the butler is missing is that it is God Who interpreted the dreams, not Joseph. Joseph was merely an interlocutor
Without God, the dreams would mean nothing
(Genesis 41:13 [AKJV/PCE])
And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
God did not need the dreams to happen to have the events happen to the butler and the baker; He merely used them to get Joseph released...in His Sovereign timing
Dream or no dream, when God says our time has come or our time is up, that is it; we are either promoted or dead, according to God's will
(Genesis 41:14 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Protocol was probably well known to be necessary to address Pharaoh
Like Peter in Acts, Joseph was probably in shock that he was sprung from prison, because the butler had forgotten him and, without that, he was not geetting out-WITHOUT GOD
THE SPRINGINGS: JOSEPH AND PETER
(Acts 12:4 [AKJV/PCE])
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
(Genesis 41:15 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
None, meaning his own magicians and wise men, hired for this very purpose
These, to Pharaoh, would be treated like gods, especially so if they had interpreted his dream
(Genesis 41:16 [AKJV/PCE])
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
A man of God, Joseph acknowledges the source, the origin of the interpretation, which is God, ONLY GOD, the God of the Hebrews
(Genesis 41:17-21 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
Not only do interpretations belong to God, gbut cows do not eat cows, which would be why the magicians and wise men of Egypt would not figure the dream out, not to mention that this is how God works
When we are at the end of ourselves, not knowing the meaning, the why, the how, the next thing to happen, then God steps in, because He is Sovereign and it belongs to Him anyways
(Genesis 41:22 [AKJV/PCE])
And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
As cows do not eat cows, ears of corn do not eat ears of corn, making it doubly as confusing to man, impossible to interpret
God gave the dream to Pharaoh, the interpretation to Joseph
God gave..........no one else.....no one else could
(Genesis 41:25 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Two dreams, one God, one interpretation, one meaning, one result coming
God did not have to show Pharaoh a thing, but did so because he was about to do something with Israel in Egypt, and this was how He would do it
(Isaiah 55:8-11 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
(Genesis 41:26-28 [AKJV/PCE])
The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
This is as plain and straightforward as one gets right here, seven years, every time, good and bad, represented two times, two dreams
(Genesis 41:29-31 [AKJV/PCE])
Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
The revelation is the interpretation, and now Pharaoh knows, and will have to do what is necessary to survive
God did not have to reveal this to Pharaoh; God did not have to put Israel in Egypt; He did because He is God, and said He would do so
The forgetting of the good years is because the harshness, severity of the years of famine, so that shows how bad it was
The "Roaring 20s" were forgotten when the "Great Depression" hit; people were dying, so as in Egypt, so in America
There goes all of that Egyptian pride, self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, and the gods of Egypt coming to their aid
(Genesis 41:32 [AKJV/PCE])
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
God is the One saying it, loudly, through the dreams and interpretations, so it is best if Pharaoh pays attention
This further will make sure that they do not take credit themselves in their greatness for the good years, like it happened due to their righteousness, diligence, etc.
God gave the increase, God can take it. He said He was about to. It is His to do so, either way.
(Job 1:21 [AKJV/PCE])
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
(1 Corinthians 3:7 [AKJV/PCE])
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
(Genesis 41:33 [AKJV/PCE])
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
What Joseph is meaning here is that this will be no ordinary famine, but rather severe, needing an orderly storage and distribution team, to deal with a lot of people, who will need a lot of food
DISCREET, a. [L., Gr. It is sometimes written discrete; the distinction between discreet and discrete are arbitrary, but perhaps not entirely useless. The literal sense is, separate, reserved, wary, hence discerning.]
1. Prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash.
It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation, and gives measures to society.
Let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise. Gen 41.
(Genesis 41:34 [AKJV/PCE])
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
The plan is to grow extra, over the normal crops
Those seven plenteous years are a gift from God to save lives, using Israel, Joseph especially
No one would ever do this short of knowing ahead of time that there would be a famine
(Genesis 41:35-36 [AKJV/PCE])
And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
Eat some, store some, prepare
"Under the hand of Pharaoh", in submission to the leader, in humility
The word "against" means for here, as almost always it does in Scripture
(Genesis 41:37 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Again this was God in His Sovereignty doing this because, if it had not been God, no dream, no Joseph, no preparation and someone telling them that a famine and drought was coming in the years of plenty would have been laughed off as crazy
(Genesis 41:38 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Interesting the fact that Pharaoh recognizes it is the Holy Spirit is, not "a spirit of the gods", "the spirits of the gods" of which they had many
The implied answer in Egypt was, "NO!"
(Genesis 41:39 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Pharaoh is seeing the actual hand of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph doing all of this
We know from Scripture that true wisdom, discernment, discretion only come from God
There is a lot of "worldly wisdom" out there, which does not help anyone, never did, never will
(Genesis 41:40 [AKJV/PCE])
Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
And so, God's Hand is moving, setting in place both the captivity in Egypt, the 400 years, and the eventual release, the judgment of the Egyptian Empire, which has never been revived and never will be
Just no chance such a promotion would happen with this, an Egyptian making the second in command a Jew, an Israelite
All of this is an undeniable miracle of miracles, like all else God does
(Genesis 41:41 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Joseph, nearly killed by his own brethren, sold into slavery to the Ishmaelites, then transferred over to Egypt under Potiphar, falsely accused and imprisoned, then forgotten
But God, our God, the God of the Resurrection, has used all of this for doing His will, raising up Joseph, preserving Joseph "for such a times as this" and this time which is about to come.
(Esther 4:14 [AKJV/PCE])
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
(Genesis 41:42-43 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Honor upon honor upon honor heaped upon Joseph, for merely doing the will of God
In this life we cannot expect this sort of promotion from man, as the very opposite can happen to us, demotion and persecution, death
Fancy jewelry, fancy clothing, fancy cars, a huge command
God needed a humble man to do His Work in Israel, to bring her into captivity, because any lesser, proud man would easily take credit for the work of God
"When God wants to do an impossible task, he takes an impossible man, and crushes him"
-Alan Redpath
(Genesis 41:44 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
The pride in the heart of Pharaoh is now visible, "I AM PHARAOH", the I AM being a title of God, the Creator
in ancient Egypt, all empires, all earthly kingdoms, even still today, this is man's attitude about himself, "I AM GOD, I AM MY OWN GOD"
Pharaoh is dead, Jesus lives. Joseph lives in heaven
It must be said and know that powerful, mighty men of the earth do things to fulfill God's Word of prophecy, not knowing they are doing so
(Psalms 82:6-7 [AKJV/PCE])
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
(Isaiah 41:23 [AKJV/PCE])
Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
(John 10:34 [AKJV/PCE])
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
(Genesis 41:45 [AKJV/PCE])
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
The origin and exact meaning of this word "Zaphnath-paanea" is uncertain, unknown, but may mean in Coptic, " A revealer of secrets" or "a man to whom secrets are revealed"
Potiphar's wife trying to seduce Joseph was how Joseph wound up in prison in the first place; now Poti-phera's daughter, not Potiphar's daughter
"Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard" is not the same as "Poti-pherah priest of On"
The giving of a new name by Pharaoh to Joseph was, to Egypt, the proof of Pharaoh being a ruler over Joseph, as only one with such authority could change a name, so as to show Joseph who was in charge over him still, despite his new command under Pharaoh
(Genesis 41:46 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
Joseph, the young ruler over the Egyptian Empire
Ceremonies and pomp over, time to get to work preparing for the famine
(Genesis 41:47 [AKJV/PCE])
And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
As much as every man could carry into storage, to eat daily, to be held with both hands in the arms, is a lot of food to eat and store
How many workers? Probably way over one to many millions of people for the work
This is mouths to feed that much food, and more food stored for future famine
This is beyond a normal blessing of God for provisions
HAND'FUL, n. As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
As much as the arms will embrace.
A palm; four inches.
A small quantity or number. A handful of men.
As much as can be done; full employment. In America, the phrase is, he has his hands full.
(Genesis 41:48-49 [AKJV/PCE])
And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Building silos, food warehouses, then filling them, the food required just for that work alone, daily. Then extra food for future consumption
This was not a centralized storage, but in several cities, on the outskirts
"In the same" means seven years of regular harvest and, in the same seven years, extra harvest for storage
The crop and harvest would have to be a lot more, more than twice even, to feed Egypt and Israel when they arrive, expand, multiply in the land
(Genesis 41:50-52 [AKJV/PCE])
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Again, above we saw that Poti-pherah is not Potiphar
Manasseh remains a tribe all through Revelation
Ephraim is not, though Joseph himself is mentioned, along with Benjamin, as those who were sealed for service then
(Revelation 7:6 [AKJV/PCE])
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
(Revelation 7:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
(Genesis 41:53 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
And, just like that, everything is turned on its head
(Genesis 41:54 [AKJV/PCE])
And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
This can only be explained by Providence, as all lands around Egypt having the dearth, the famine, but not Rgypt, Egypt only
God provided, they were told to store, they obeyed, they have bread
No one else but Egypt probably knew much of this famine coming upon them unless they observed the Egyptians laboring to store, spoke to the Egyptians and asked why and were told why, else this would be a surprise because, without stprage, food suddenly runs out when that which we grow and harvest is for us, for now, only
(Genesis 41:55 [AKJV/PCE])
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
This is the "for such a time as this"
They cried because they sowed, nothing good came up or nothing at all, nothing to harvest, starvation is next
(Genesis 41:56 [AKJV/PCE])
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
This is very similar to a salvation by grace through faith scenario, as Egypt ws not a more righteous nation, being idolaters, worshiping pharaohs, son gods, moon gods, the god of this, the god of that
God Himself, the Creator God, was doing this for His own people Israel, who soon would be entering Egypt through Joseph, living there, dwelling there, multipplying there, leaving there, Egypt's army following and drowning in the Red Sea
(Genesis 41:57 [AKJV/PCE])
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
It cannot be stressed enough that it was a worldwide, widespread famine, all lands, all over the face of the earth; the only difference being the preparation of Joseph and the Egyptians, by God's commandment through the dreams of Pharaoh, by Pharaoh's commandment upon hearing the interpretation by God of the dreams
It is the LORD through it all, making this all happen
Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.
Genesis Chapter 42
