Joseph – Dealing with Famine in Egypt

What happens when survival is on the line—and God places the right person in charge at the right time? The story of Joseph and the famine in Egypt shows us leadership under pressure, hard choices, and God’s faithfulness during one of the darkest economic crises recorded in Genesis 47.

In Genesis 47, the famine reaches its peak across Egypt and Canaan. As food disappears and resources run out, Joseph carefully manages Egypt’s grain supply, just as God revealed years earlier. The decisions made during this season would permanently shape Egypt—and teach lasting spiritual lessons.

Joseph, who once was sold into slavery himself, now oversees the survival of an entire nation. These verses also move us closer to the final days of Jacob, now known as Israel, reminding us that God’s promises continue from one generation to the next.

Joseph and the Famine in Egypt

The famine Joseph predicted did not appear gradually—it was overwhelming. Scripture tells us just how severe it became:

“Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine.” (Genesis 47:13)

As people searched desperately for food, Joseph followed the system established during the seven years of abundance. Grain was available—but it came at a cost.

“Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.” (Genesis 47:14)

Eventually, the money ran out. Still, the famine continued.

“When the money was all spent… all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, ‘Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone.’” (Genesis 47:15)

Joseph responded with another exchange—this time involving livestock.

“Then Joseph said, ‘Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.’” (Genesis 47:16)

For an entire year, food was traded for animals. But even that supply was eventually exhausted.

What Was Joseph’s Vision of the Famine?

Joseph’s actions during the famine were not improvised. Years earlier, God gave Pharaoh a dream revealing both abundance and disaster. Through God’s wisdom, Joseph interpreted that dream and prepared Egypt in advance.

You can revisit that moment in this lesson about the dream of Pharaoh, which explains how God positioned Joseph to save countless lives.

When the people returned with nothing left to offer, they made a final request:

“Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh… So give us seed, that we may live and not die.” (Genesis 47:19)

Joseph accepted the proposal. In return, the people were allowed to farm the land and keep four-fifths of the harvest, giving one-fifth to Pharaoh. While this arrangement may feel harsh to modern readers, it provided stability, structure, and survival during an impossible crisis.

Personally, I struggled to fully understand this passage at first. The terms sound severe. However, Joseph consistently acted with order, wisdom, and restraint—qualities that marked his leadership throughout Genesis.

Importantly, Joseph did not exploit chaos. He followed a plan revealed by God, preserved life, and ensured Egypt emerged from the famine as a functioning nation.

Jacob’s Final Request

As the famine narrative continues, Genesis also records the approaching death of Jacob. Knowing his time was near, Jacob asked Joseph to promise that he would not be buried in Egypt but returned to his ancestral land.

To confirm the promise, Joseph placed his hand under Jacob’s thigh—a serious and binding oath in ancient culture. This act carried the weight of a written contract today. The lesson here is simple, yet powerful: when God’s people give their word, it should mean something.

A Lesson for Believers Today

Joseph’s integrity—whether managing grain, negotiating land, or honoring his father’s final wishes—never wavered. As Christians, our promises matter. Our word should reflect our faith.

If you’d like to find more moments like this, you may enjoy reading about other key events in Scripture, such as these miracles of the Old Testament, or visit the homepage at Making Christ Known for more Bible lessons.

Love in Christ,
Bob

If you would like to learn how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read this short Bible verse from John and see what it means for you.