Bible Study Online Article

After Joseph had seen to it, that his family had settled into the region of Goshen -- he went back to the normal duties, when it came to being "Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets."

For the famine had worsened, and the people and the land; were found to be without bread.

Because of this new level of intensity when it came to the famine, the people were found to be fainted.

For their spirits were broken, they no longer had encouraging thoughts; when it came to what good, could possibly come out of this dreadful experience. No longer optimistic, but now pessimistic; their thoughts were now given over to gloom, negativity and death.

Perhaps the main reason why they had become so desperate is for the mere fact; that they were running out of money to purchase grain with. For the Sacred Scriptures, would reveal that Joseph; had indeed, collected all the money that was to be found in all the land. This collection process, was done through the people buying the grain, and not by force -- for Joseph didn't take anything, that wasn't given to him.

Now understand, that the money that Joseph was collecting, didn't go into his pocket; but it went to Pharaoh's. So therefore, the Egyptians would eventually run out of money to purchase grain with. Because of this, the Egyptians had went to Joseph and cried out: "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up."

After Joseph had heard their complaints, he responded by saying: "Then bring your livestock. I will sell you food, in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone." After hearing this, the Egyptians went to get their livestock and bring it back to Joseph, in exchange for some grain. This agreement would last throughout that current year, before the people would run through their grain supply, that they had brought with their livestock.

When that year was over, the Egyptians would come to Joseph again; in which they said: "We cannot hide from our lord, the fact that since our money is gone; and our livestock belong to you, there is nothing left for our lord -- except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes, we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land; will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed, so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."

So Joseph would buy all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all; sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. Because of this, the land became Pharaoh's; and so therefore, Joseph would move the Egyptians into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end.

Now there are several reasons why Joseph did this, and being that none of those reasons can be confirmed as truth -- I won't state them. But I do want you to understand, that this relocation of the Egyptians; would be only temporary -- for Joseph knew, that there was only one year left -- before the famine would end.

As we move forward, the Scriptures reveals; that when it came to the Egyptian priests, he did not buy their land; because they were receiving a regular allotment from Pharaoh, and had enough food from that agreed upon allotment; to outlast the seven year famine. This is why the Egyptian priest, didn't have to sell their land.

Now, just to be clear; these priests who were also known as: "magicians" or "wise-men" -- were the ones, who served and administered the worship ceremonies; in regards to the Egyptian gods. Understand that Joseph didn't approve of their religious, or worship services; or the gods that they served.

Joseph was just being faithful, and dutiful; to the position that he held within the land as Pharaoh second-in-command, and so therefore; obeyed the orders that came down from the Egyptian king.

After Joseph had all the Egyptians gathered before him, he spoke these words: "Now that I have brought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it -- to Pharaoh. The other four fifths, you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children."

NOTE: They were in the last year of the famine, and this is why he gave the Egyptians seed at this time: "here is seed for you so you can plant the ground." Now, obviously they wouldn't plant their seeds in the cities, where they were now located; but out in the country after the famine lifts from the land.

Now, some would say; that Joseph was taking advantage of the situation. Personally, I find this viewpoint; way off the mark -- in fact, quite the contrary. And Joseph proves my point with the agreement that he makes with the Egyptians.

For he could have easily reversed the conditions, when it dealt with their payment for Pharaoh -- he could have, had them to pay four fifths to Pharaoh; which would have left them with only a fifth to live on. But he didn't do that, for he wasn't trying to take advantage of them; he was trying to help them.

And the Egyptians knew it, this is why they responded the way that they did: "You have saved our lives. May we find favor in the eyes of our lord? We will be in bondage to Pharaoh." After the people had said this, Joseph made the land agreement law: that a fifth of produce belongs to Pharaoh.

Let's take a look at what the renowned Jewish historian, Josephus -- records after the famine lifted: "But when this misery ceased, and the river overflowed the ground, and the ground brought forth its fruits plentifully, Joseph came to every city, and gathered the people thereto belonging together, and gave them back entirely the land which, by their own consent, the king might have possessed alone, and alone enjoyed the fruits of it.

"He also exhorted them to look on it as everyone's own possession, and to fall to their husbandry (farming) with cheerfulness; and to pay, as a tribute to the king, the fifth part of the fruits of the land which the king, when it was his own, restored to them. These men rejoiced upon their becoming unexpectedly owners of their lands, and diligently observed what was enjoined them; and by this means Joseph procured to himself a greater authority among the Egyptians, and greater love to the king from them." -- The Renowned Jewish Historian: ~Josephus~

Now that the famine is about to lift from the land, the Scriptures turns our attention back towards the Israelites. It's at this time, we begin approaching the very last days of Jacob; and the great patriarch, asks his son Joseph to promise him something. What is that promise? Will Joseph be able to -- hold to it?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

100) The Unveiling of Joseph

101) Joseph's Great Advantage

102) Jacob the Stunned & Delighted

103) Jacob the Great Israel

104) Father and Son Reunited

105) Israel's Blessing to Pharaoh

106) <-CURRENT PAGE->

107) The Promise Between Father & Son

108) Jacob Becomes Ill

109) Jacob Adds Manasseh and Ephraim

110) Jacob Places Ephraim Before Manasseh

111) Joseph's Expectation and Disappointment

112) The Promise Covenant with Humanity

113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi

114) The Prophecy of Judah

115) The Tribe of Kings

116) Representation of the Scepter

117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin

118) The Gathering of the People

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