1And it came to pass at the endH7093 of two fullH3117 yearsH8141, that PharaohH6547 dreamedH2492: and, behold, he stoodH5975 by the riverH2975. 2And, behold, there came upH5927 out of the riverH2975 sevenH7651 wellH3303 favouredH4758 cowsH6510 and fatfleshedH1277 H1320; and they fedH7462 in a meadowH260. 3And, behold, sevenH7651 otherH312 cowsH6510 came upH5927 after themH310 out of the riverH2975, illH7451 favouredH4758 and leanfleshedH1851 H1320; and stoodH5975 byH681 the other cowsH6510 upon the brinkH8193 of the riverH2975. 4And the illH7451 favouredH4758 and leanfleshedH1851 H1320 cowsH6510 ate upH398 the sevenH7651 wellH3303 favouredH4758 and fatH1277 cowsH6510. So PharaohH6547 awokeH3364. 5And he sleptH3462 and dreamedH2492 the second timeH8145: and, behold, sevenH7651 ears of grainH7641 came upH5927 upon oneH259 stalkH7070, fatH1277 and goodH2896. 6And, behold, sevenH7651 thinH1851 earsH7641 and parchedH7710 with the east windH6921 sprung upH6779 after themH310. 7And the seven thinH1851 earsH7641 devouredH1104 the sevenH7651 fatH1277 and fullH4392 earsH7641. And PharaohH6547 awokeH3364, and, behold, it was a dreamH2472. 8And it came to pass in the morningH1242 that his spiritH7307 was troubledH6470; and he sentH7971 and calledH7121 for all the magiciansH2748 of EgyptH4714, and all its wise menH2450: and PharaohH6547 toldH5608 them his dreamH2472; but there was none that could interpretH6622 them to PharaohH6547. 9Then spokeH1696 the chiefH8269 butlerH8248 to PharaohH6547, sayingH559, I do rememberH2142 my faultsH2399 this dayH3117: 10PharaohH6547 was furiousH7107 with his servantsH5650, and putH5414 me in custodyH4929 in the captainH8269 of the guard’sH2876 houseH1004, both me and the chiefH8269 bakerH644: 11And we dreamedH2492 a dreamH2472 in oneH259 nightH3915, I and he; we dreamedH2492 each manH376 according to the interpretationH6623 of his dreamH2472. 12And there was there with us a young manH5288, an HebrewH5680, servantH5650 to the captainH8269 of the guardH2876; and we toldH5608 him, and he interpretedH6622 to us our dreamsH2472; to each manH376 according to his dreamH2472 he interpretedH6622. 13And it came to pass, as he interpretedH6622 to us, so it was; me he restoredH7725 to my officeH3653, and him he hangedH8518. 14Then PharaohH6547 sentH7971 and calledH7121 JosephH3130, and they brought him hastilyH7323 out of the dungeonH953: and he shavedH1548 himself, and changedH2498 his raimentH8071, and cameH935 before PharaohH6547. 15And PharaohH6547 saidH559 to JosephH3130, I have dreamedH2492 a dreamH2472, and there is none that can interpretH6622 it: and I have heardH8085 it saidH559 of thee, that thou canst understandH8085 a dreamH2472 to interpretH6622 it. 16And JosephH3130 answeredH6030 PharaohH6547, sayingH559, It is not in meH1107: GodH430 shall giveH6030 PharaohH6547 an answerH6030 of peaceH7965. 17And PharaohH6547 saidH1696 to JosephH3130, In my dreamH2472, behold, I stoodH5975 upon the bankH8193 of the riverH2975: 18And, behold, there cameH5927 out of the riverH2975 sevenH7651 cowsH6510, fatfleshedH1277 H1320 and wellH3303 favouredH8389; and they fedH7462 in a meadowH260: 19And, behold, sevenH7651 otherH312 cowsH6510 came outH5927 after themH310, poorH1803 and veryH3966 illH7451 favouredH8389 and leanfleshedH7534 H1320, suchH2007 as I neverH3808 sawH7200 in all the landH776 of EgyptH4714 for badnessH7455: 20And the leanH7534 and the ill favouredH7451 cowsH6510 ate upH398 the firstH7223 sevenH7651 fatH1277 cowsH6510: 21And when they had eaten them upH935 H7130, it could not be knownH3045 that they had eaten themH935 H7130; but they were stillH4758 ill favouredH7451, as at the beginningH8462. So I awokeH3364. 22And I sawH7200 in my dreamH2472, and, behold, sevenH7651 earsH7641 came upH5927 on oneH259 stalkH7070, fullH4392 and goodH2896: 23And, behold, sevenH7651 earsH7641, witheredH6798, thinH1851, and parchedH7710 with the east windH6921, sprung upH6779 after themH310: 24And the thinH1851 earsH7641 devouredH1104 the sevenH7651 goodH2896 earsH7641: and I toldH559 this to the magiciansH2748; but there was none that could make knownH5046 the meaning of it to me. 25And JosephH3130 saidH559 to PharaohH6547, The dreamH2472 of PharaohH6547 is oneH259: GodH430 hath showedH5046 PharaohH6547 what he is about to doH6213. 26The sevenH7651 goodH2896 cowsH6510 are sevenH7651 yearsH8141; and the sevenH7651 goodH2896 earsH7641 are sevenH7651 yearsH8141: the dreamH2472 is oneH259. 27And the sevenH7651 thinH7534 and ill favouredH7451 cowsH6510 that came upH5927 after themH310 are sevenH7651 yearsH8141; and the sevenH7651 emptyH7386 earsH7641 blightedH7710 with the east windH6921 shall be sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of famineH7458. 28This is the thingH1697 which I have spokenH1696 to PharaohH6547: What GodH430 is about to doH6213 he showethH7200 to PharaohH6547. 29Behold, there comeH935 sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of greatH1419 plentyH7647 throughout all the landH776 of EgyptH4714: 30And there shall ariseH6965 after themH310 sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of famineH7458; and all the plentyH7647 shall be forgottenH7911 in the landH776 of EgyptH4714; and the famineH7458 shall consumeH3615 the landH776; 31And the plentyH7647 shall not be knownH3045 in the landH776 by reasonH6440 of the famineH7458 followingH310 H3651; for it shall be veryH3966 grievousH3515. 32And for that the dreamH2472 was doubledH8138 to PharaohH6547 twiceH6471; it is because the thingH1697 is establishedH3559 byH5973 GodH430, and GodH430 will shortlyH4116 bring it to passH6213. 33Now therefore let PharaohH6547 look outH7200 a manH376 discreetH995 and wiseH2450, and setH7896 him over the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 34Let PharaohH6547 doH6213 this, and let him appointH6485 officersH6496 over the landH776, and take up the fifth partH2567 of the landH776 of EgyptH4714 in the sevenH7651 plenteousH7647 yearsH8141. 35And let them gatherH6908 all the foodH400 of those goodH2896 yearsH8141 that comeH935, and lay upH6651 grainH1250 under the handH3027 of PharaohH6547, and let them keepH8104 foodH400 in the citiesH5892. 36And that foodH400 shall be for reserveH6487 for the landH776 against the sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of famineH7458, which shall be in the landH776 of EgyptH4714; that the landH776 may not perishH3772 through the famineH7458. 37And the thingH1697 was goodH3190 in the eyesH5869 of PharaohH6547, and in the eyesH5869 of all his servantsH5650. 38And PharaohH6547 saidH559 to his servantsH5650, Can we findH4672 such a man as thisH2088 is, a manH376 in whomH834 the SpiritH7307 of GodH430 is? 39And PharaohH6547 saidH559 to JosephH3130, ForasmuchH310 as GodH430 hath shownH3045 thee all this, there is none so discreetH995 and wiseH2450 as thou art: 40Thou shalt beH1961 over my houseH1004, and according to thy wordH6310 shall all my peopleH5971 be ruledH5401: only in the throneH3678 will I be greaterH1431 than thou. 41And PharaohH6547 saidH559 to JosephH3130, SeeH7200, I have setH5414 thee over all the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 42And PharaohH6547 took offH5493 his ringH2885 from his handH3027, and putH5414 it upon Joseph’sH3130 handH3027, and arrayedH3847 him in vesturesH899 of fine linenH8336, and putH7760 a goldH2091 chainH7242 about his neckH6677; 43And he made him to rideH7392 in the secondH4932 chariotH4818 which he had; and they criedH7121 before himH6440, Bow the kneeH86: and he madeH5414 him ruler over all the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 44And PharaohH6547 saidH559 to JosephH3130, I am PharaohH6547, and withoutH1107 thee shall no manH376 lift upH7311 his handH3027 or footH7272 in all the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 45And PharaohH6547 calledH7121 Joseph’sH3130 nameH8034 ZaphnathpaaneahH6847; and he gaveH5414 him for a wifeH802 AsenathH621 the daughterH1323 of PotipherahH6319 priestH3548 of OnH204. And JosephH3130 wentH3318 over all the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 46And JosephH3130 was thirtyH7970 yearsH8141 oldH1121 when he stoodH5975 beforeH6440 PharaohH6547 kingH4428 of EgyptH4714. And JosephH3130 went outH3318 from the presenceH6440 of PharaohH6547, and went throughoutH5674 all the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 47And in the sevenH7651 plenteousH7647 yearsH8141 the earthH776 brought forthH6213 by handfulsH7062. 48And he gatheredH6908 all the foodH400 of the sevenH7651 yearsH8141, which were in the landH776 of EgyptH4714, and laid upH5414 the foodH400 in the citiesH5892: the foodH400 of the fieldH7704, which was surroundingH5439 every cityH5892, he laid upH5414 in the sameH8432. 49And JosephH3130 gatheredH6651 grainH1250 as the sandH2344 of the seaH3220, veryH3966 muchH7235, until he finishedH2308 numberingH5608; for it was withoutH369 numberH4557. 50And to JosephH3130 were bornH3205 twoH8147 sonsH1121 before the yearsH8141 of famineH7458 cameH935, which AsenathH621 the daughterH1323 of PotipherahH6319 priestH3548 of OnH204 boreH3205 to him. 51And JosephH3130 calledH7121 the nameH8034 of the firstbornH1060 ManassehH4519: For GodH430, said he, hath made me forgetH5382 all my toilH5999, and all my father’sH1 houseH1004. 52And the nameH8034 of the secondH8145 calledH7121 he EphraimH669: For GodH430 hath caused me to be fruitfulH6509 in the landH776 of my afflictionH6040. 53And the sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of plenteousnessH7647, that was in the landH776 of EgyptH4714, were endedH3615. 54And the sevenH7651 yearsH8141 of famineH7458 beganH2490 to comeH935, according as JosephH3130 had saidH559: and the famineH7458 was in all landsH776; but in all the landH776 of EgyptH4714 there was breadH3899. 55And when all the landH776 of EgyptH4714 was famishedH7456, the peopleH5971 criedH6817 to PharaohH6547 for breadH3899: and PharaohH6547 saidH559 to all the EgyptiansH4714, GoH3212 to JosephH3130; what he saithH559 to you, doH6213. 56And the famineH7458 was over all the faceH6440 of the earthH776: And JosephH3130 openedH6605 all the storehouses, and soldH7666 to the EgyptiansH4714; and the famineH7458 became severeH2388 in the landH776 of EgyptH4714. 57And all countriesH776 cameH935 into EgyptH4714 to JosephH3130 to buyH7666 grain; because the famineH7458 was severeH2388 in all landsH776.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 Observe, 1. The delay of Joseph's enlargement. It was not till
the end of two full years (
Gen 41:1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. Note, We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came,
Pss 105:19. There is a time set for the deliverance of God's people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to have been the best time, and therefore we ought to wait for it (
Hab 2:3), and not think two full years too long to continue waiting. 2. The means of Joseph's enlargement, which were Pharaoh's dreams, here related. If we were to look upon them as ordinary dreams, we might observe from them the follies and absurdities of a roving working fancy, how it represents to itself tame cows as beasts of prey (nay, more ravenous than any, eating up those of their own kind), and ears of corn as devouring one another. Surely in the multitude of dreams, nay, even in one dream, there are divers vanities,
Qoh 5:7. Now that God no longer speaks to us in that way, I think it is no matter how little we either heed them or tell them. Foolish dreams related can make no better than foolish talk. But these dreams which Pharaoh dreamed carried their own evidence with them that they were sent of God; and therefore, when he awoke, his spirit was troubled,
Gen 41:8. It cannot but put us into a concern to receive any extraordinary message from heaven, because we are conscious to ourselves that we have no reason to expect any good tidings thence. His magicians were puzzled, the rules of their art failed them: these dreams of Pharaoh, it seems, did not fall within the compass of them, so that they could not offer at the interpretation of them. This was to make Joseph's performance by the Spirit of God the more admirable. Human reason, prudence, and foresight, must be nonplussed, that divine revelation may appear the more glorious in the contrivance of our redemption,
1Cor 2:13,
1Cor 2:14. Compare with this story,
Dan 2:27;
Dan 4:7;
Dan 5:8. Joseph's own dreams were the occasion of his troubles, and now Pharaoh's dreams were the occasion of his enlargement.
9 Here is, 1. The recommending of Joseph to Pharaoh for an interpreter. The chief butler did it more in compliment to Pharaoh, to oblige him, than in gratitude to Joseph, or in compassion for his case. He makes a fair confession (
Gen 41:9):
I remember my faults this day, in forgetting Joseph. Note, It is best to remember our duty, and to do it in its time; but, if we have neglected that, it is next best to remember our faults, and repent of them, and do our duty at last; better late than never. Some think he means his faults against Pharaoh, for which he was imprisoned; and then he would insinuate that, though Pharaoh had forgiven him, he had not forgiven himself. The story he had to tell was, in short, That there was an obscure young man in the king's prison, who had very properly interpreted his dream, and the chief baker's (the event corresponding in each with the interpretation), and that he would recommend him to the king his master for an interpreter. Note, God's time for the enlargement of his people will appear at last to be the fittest time. If the chief butler had at first used his interest for Joseph's enlargement, and had obtained it, it is probable that upon his release he would have gone back to
the land of the Hebrews again, which he spoke of so feelingly (
Gen 40:15), and then he would neither have been so blessed himself, nor such a blessing to his family, as afterwards he proved. But staying two years longer, and coming out now upon this occasion, at last, to interpret the king's dreams, way was made for his very great preferment. Those that patiently wait for God shall be paid for their waiting, not only principal but interest,
Lam 3:26. 2. The introducing of Joseph to Pharaoh. The king's business requires haste. Joseph is sent for out of the dungeon with all speed; Pharaoh's order discharged him both from his imprisonment and from his servitude, and made him a candidate for some of the highest trusts at court. The king can scarcely allow him time, but that decency required it, to shave himself, and to change his raiment,
Gen 41:14. It is done with all possible expedition, and Joseph is brought in, perhaps almost as much surprised as Peter was,
Acts 12:9. So suddenly is his captivity brought back that he is as one that dreams,
Pss 126:1. Pharaoh immediately, without enquiring who or whence he was, tells him his business, that he expected he should interpret his dream,
Gen 41:15. To which, Joseph makes him a very modest decent reply, (
Gen 41:16), in which, (1.) He gives honour to God. It is not in me, God must give it. Note, Great gifts appear most graceful and illustrious when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. To such God gives more grace. (2.) He shows respect to Pharaoh, and hearty good-will to him and his government, in supposing that the interpretation would be an answer of peace. Note, Those that consult God's oracles may expect an answer of peace. If Joseph be made the interpreter, hope the best.
17 Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears,
Zech 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe, 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event,
Gen 41:32. Thus God has often shown
the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Hebre 6:17,
Hebre 6:18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain. 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones. 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that
tomorrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and
much more abundant, Isa 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he
sets the one over-against the other, Qoh 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence,
He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Exod 16:18. 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive,
Gen 41:29-
Gen 41:31.
Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, 1Cor 6:13. There is bread which
endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for,
John 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them,
Luke 16:25. 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called
shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.
33 Here is, I. The good advice that Joseph gave to Pharaoh, which was, 1. That in the years of plenty he should lay up for the years of famine, buy up corn when it was cheap, that he might both enrich himself and supply the country when it would be dear and scarce. Note, Fair warning should always be followed with good counsel. Therefore the prudent man foresees the evil, that he may hide himself. God has in his word told us of a day of trial and exigence before us, when we shall need all the grace we can get, and all little enough, Now, therefore, provide accordingly. Note, further, Times of gathering must be diligently improved, because there will come a time of spending. Let us go to the ant, and learn of her this wisdom,
Prov 6:6-
Prov 6:8. 2. Because that which is everybody's work commonly proves nobody's work, he advises Pharaoh to appoint officers who should make it their business, and to select some one person to preside in the affair,
Gen 41:33. Probably, if Joseph had not advised this, it would not have been done; Pharaoh's counsellors could no more improve the dream than his magicians interpret it; therefore it is said of him (
Pss 105:22) that he
taught the senators wisdom. Hence we may justly infer with Solomon (
Qoh 4:13),
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king. II. The great honour that Pharaoh did to Joseph. 1. He gave him an honourable testimony: He is
a man in whom the Spirit of God is; and this puts a great excellency upon any man; such men ought to be valued,
Gen 41:38. He is a nonsuch for prudence:
There is none so discreet and wise as thou art, Gen 41:39. Now he is abundantly recompensed for the disgrace that had been done him; and his righteousness is as the morning light,
Pss 37:6. 2. He put him into an honourable office; not only employed him to buy up corn, but made him prime-minister of state, comptroller of the household -
Thou shalt be over my house, chief justice of the kingdom -
according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, or
armed, as some read it, and then it bespeaks him general of the forces. Him commission was very ample:
I have set thee over all the land of Egypt (
Gen 41:41);
without thee shall no man life up his hand or foot (
Gen 41:44); all the affairs of the kingdom must pass through his hand. Nay (
Gen 41:40),
only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Note, It is the wisdom of princes to prefer those, and the happiness of people to have those preferred, to places of power and trust, in whom the Spirit of God is. It is probable that there were those about the court who opposed Joseph's preferment, which occasioned Pharaoh so often to repeat the grant, and with that solemn sanction (
Gen 41:44),
I am Pharaoh. When the proposal was made that there should be a corn-master-general nominated, it is said (
Gen 41:37),
Pharaoh's servants were all pleased with the proposal, each hoping for the place; but when Pharaoh said to them, Joseph shall be the man, we do not read that they made him any answer, being uneasy at it, and acquiescing only because they could not help it. Joseph had enemies, no doubt, archers that shot at him, and hated him (
Gen 49:23), as Daniel,
Dan 6:4. 3. He put upon him all the marks of honour imaginable, to recommend him to the esteem and respect of the people as the king's favourite, and one whom he delighted to honour. (1.) He gave him his own ring, as a ratification of his commission, and in token of peculiar favour; or it was like delivering him the great seal. (2.) He put fine clothes upon him, instead of his prison garments. For those that are in kings' palaces must wear soft clothing; he that, in the morning, was dragging his fetters of iron, before night was adorned with a chain of gold. (3.) He made him
ride in the second chariot to his own, and ordered all to do homage to him:
Bow the knee, as to Pharaoh himself. (4.) He gave him a new name, to show his authority over him, and yet such a name as bespoke the value he had for him,
Zaphnathpaaneah -
A revealer of secrets. (5.) He married him honourably to a prince's daughter. Where God had been liberal in giving wisdom and other merits, Pharaoh was not sparing in conferring honours. Now this preferment of Joseph was, [1.] An abundant recompense for his innocent and patient suffering, a lasting instance of the equity and goodness of Providence, and an encouragement to all good people to trust in a good God. [2.] It was typical of the exaltation of Christ, that great
revealer of secrets (
John 1:18), or, as some translate Joseph's new name, the
Saviour of the world. The brightest glories of the upper world are put upon him, the highest trust is lodged in his hand, and all power is given to him both in heaven and earth. He is gatherer, keeper, and disposer, of all the stores of divine grace, and chief ruler of the kingdom of God among men. The work of minsters is to cry before him,
Bow the knee; kiss the Son. 46 Observe here, I. The building of Joseph's family in the birth of two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim,
Gen 41:50-
Gen 41:52. In the names he gave them, he owned the divine Providence giving this happy turn to his affairs, 1. He was made to forget his misery,
Job 11:16. We should bear our afflictions when they are present as those that know not but Providence may so outweigh them by after-comforts as that we may even forget them when they are past. But could he be so unnatural as to
forget all his father's house? He means the unkindness he received from his brethren, or perhaps the wealth and honour he expected from his father, with the birthright. The robes he now wore made him forget the coat of divers colours which he wore in his father's house. 2. He was made
fruitful in the land of his affliction. It had been the land of his affliction, and in some sense it was still so, for it was not Canaan, the land of promise. His distance from his father was still his affliction. Note, Light is sometimes sown for the righteous in a barren and unlikely soil; and yet if God sow it, and water it, it will come up again. The afflictions of the saints promote their fruitfulness.
Ephraim signifies
fruitfulness, and
Manasseh forgetfulness, for these two often go together; when Jeshurun waxed fat, he forgot God his Maker.
II. The accomplishment of Joseph's predictions. Pharaoh had great confidence in the truth of them, perhaps finding in his own mind, beyond what another person could, an exact correspondence between them and his dreams, as between the key and the lock; and the event showed that he was not deceived. The seven plenteous years came (
Gen 41:47), and, at length, they were ended,
Gen 41:53. Note, We ought to foresee the approaching period of the days both of our prosperity and of our opportunity, and therefore must not be secure in the enjoyment of our prosperity nor slothful in the improvement of our opportunity; years of plenty will end, therefore, Whatever thy hand finds to do do it; and gather in gathering time.
The morning cometh and also the night (
Isa 21:12), the plenty and also the famine.
The seven years of dearth began to come, Gen 41:54. See what changes of condition we are liable to in this world, and what need we have to be joyful in a day of prosperity and in a day of adversity to consider,
Qoh 7:14. This famine, it seems, was not only in Egypt, but in other lands, in
all lands, that is, all the neighbouring countries;
fruitful lands are soon
turned into barrenness for the iniquity of those that dwell therein, Pss 107:34. It is here said that
in the land of Egypt there was bread, meaning probably, not only that which Joseph had bought up for the king, but that which private persons, by his example, and upon the public notice of this prediction, as well as by the rules of common prudence, had laid up.
III. The performance of Joseph's trust. He was found faithful to it, as a steward ought to be. 1. He was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted,
Gen 41:48,
Gen 41:49. He that thus gathers is a wise son. 2. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came, and kept the markets low by furnishing them at reasonable rates out of his stores. The people in distress cried to Pharaoh, as that woman to the king of Israel (
2Kgs 6:26),
Help, my lord, O king: he sent them to his treasurer,
Go to Joseph. Thus God in the gospel directs those that apply to him for mercy and grace to
go to the Lord Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and,
What he saith to you, do. Joseph, no doubt, with wisdom and justice fixed the price of the corn he sold, so that Pharaoh, whose money had bought it up, might have a reasonable profit, and yet the country might not be oppressed, nor advantage taken of their prevailing necessity; while he that withholdest corn when it is dear, in hopes it will yet grow dearer, though people perish for want of it, has many a curse for so doing (and it is not a curse causeless),
blessings shall be upon the head of him that thus
selleth it, Prov 11:26. And let the price be determined by that golden rule of justice, to do as we would be done by.
