Bible moment
The Bible moment
Genesis 41:50–57 tells how the famine Joseph had announced began after seven years of abundance. During the abundant years, Joseph had gathered and stored grain in Egyptian cities. When food became scarce, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine spread widely, so people from all lands, including Canaan, came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph. This passage shows Joseph serving through wise administration. His preparation did not remove the hardship, but it provided access to food during the difficult years. The story also fits the larger account in which Joseph explains that the interpretations and answers come from God. Pharaoh had appointed Joseph over Egypt after Joseph described the coming abundance and famine and proposed collecting one-fifth of the harvest during the plentiful years. The passage names Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, before the famine begins, but this scene focuses on the storehouses, the grain, and the people who come to buy it. It does not include later events involving Joseph’s brothers or Jacob.
