Genesis 41:53-57: a reflection

53The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. 54The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

The years of plenty in Egypt come to an end, and the seven years of famine begin, just as Joseph had foretold through the wisdom God gave him. But because Joseph had used the years of plenty to store up grain, when the famine came, Egypt had bread. The storehouses were opened; and not only Egypt but all the surrounding lands came to buy grain, so that Joseph's foresight became the means of survival for many peoples.

Notice the fruit of Joseph's God-given foresight and preparation. Warned of the coming famine, he did not simply enjoy the years of plenty and hope for the best; he prepared, storing up in the good years for the hard ones ahead. And when the famine came, that preparation was the difference between survival and starvation, not only for Egypt but for many nations. God provided for the famine through one faithful, prepared servant.

That is a picture of wisdom worth imitating. The good years are not only for enjoying; they are also for preparing for the hard ones that may come. Whether in our resources, our habits, our relationship with God, wisdom uses times of plenty and ease to prepare for times of scarcity and difficulty, rather than presuming the good times will last. Use your good times wisely, storing up for the hard ones that may come, as Joseph did. Do not simply spend the years of plenty as though they would never end; prepare, so that when difficulty comes, you are ready. And trust that God can make your faithful preparation a means of provision, for yourself and for others, in the time of need.

Lord, through the wisdom you gave him, Joseph used the years of plenty to store up grain, so that when the famine came, there was bread, not only for Egypt but for many lands; your provision came through one faithful, prepared servant. Give me that wisdom. The good years are not only for enjoying, but also for preparing for the hard ones that may come. Whether in my resources, my habits, or my relationship with you, help me use times of plenty and ease to prepare for times of scarcity and difficulty, rather than presuming the good times will last. Help me use my good times wisely, storing up for the hard ones, as Joseph did, rather than spending the years of plenty as though they would never end. And help me trust that you can make my faithful preparation a means of provision, for myself and for others, in the time of need. Make me wise and ready, and use me to provide.