January 28 Daily Devotional

Genesis 41–42

Seven years of plenty were to come. They came. The fields brought very good harvests, far more than the people could use. Joseph told the people to build big granaries to store the grain. There was so much food that it could not be counted. When the years of plenty had passed, the years of famine began. The people planted their seed, but nothing came up. The famine was not only in Egypt, but also in other countries. In these countries the people had not known about the prediction of the seven years of famine, and so they had not saved up anything during the seven years of plenty. Now they began to suffer from hunger.

But in the land of Egypt there was bread. When nothing would grow on the fields and the famine became severe, Joseph opened the store houses and sold grain to the Egyptians. Not only from Egypt did the people come but also from the surrounding countries. Also in the land of Canaan there was a great famine. At this time Jacob and his sons were wealthy people, but they did not have enough to eat. When they heard of the food supplies in Egypt, they decided to go there and buy corn. The ten oldest brothers went with their donkeys. Benjamin was kept at home.

Coming to Egypt they met Joseph, but they did not know him. About twenty years had passed since they had sold him. When he saw them he remembered his dreams. As they bowed before him these dreams became true. Joseph hesitated to make himself known to his brothers. He wished to know if they had changed during the years that had passed. He told them they were suspected of being spies. It would be necessary to bring their youngest brother the next time they would come. He spoke to them by an interpreter. Simeon was kept in Egypt, the others were permitted to go home.

Coming home they told their father what had happened to them—that the ruler had said they were spies, that he had kept Simeon until they would come again and bring Benjamin with them. Then they opened their sacks. What a surprise to find that every man’s money had been returned. “Me have ye bereaved of my children,” old Jacob said pitifully. “Joseph is not, Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: All these things are against me.” He added, “My son shall not go down with you … If mischief befall him on the way … ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.” He meant to say it would be too much for him at his age. Things seemed to be getting worse for them in­stead of better. They were very much afraid.