An Egyptian Social Program

Genesis 41:44-57

Because Joseph had been able to interpret the dreams, and gave logical recommendations as to how to address the situation, Pharaoh appointed him to run the program, giving him the necessary authority, and making it apparent to everyone. Just as he’d managed Potiphar’s business and the prison, he was now to manage Egypt. He already had thirteen years of experience at managing businesses successfully.

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:44-45)

Pharaoh gave Joseph absolute control of Egypt, answerable only to Pharaoh, and giving him both his freedom and his citizenship. He also had Joseph marry the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country, the leader of the Egyptian religion. It gave him powerful connections to the Egyptian religion.

“And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. “ (Genesis 41:46-49)

Anyone who has ever gardened of farmed very much has observed how much more productive and healthy plants are after a rain than when depending on being watered. Rain water has less dissolved minerals than ground water, but more nitrogen and oxygen, and appears to have a slight electronic charge making it more readily absorbed and beneficial to the plants. Under such conditions, crops may produce more than twice as normal. For seven years they received more than normal rainfall at the most opportune times, resulting in bumper crops.

Even in the midst of such abundance, and knowing what was coming, Joseph only collected twenty percent of the crops. This still left the people more than they would normally have so they could save up themselves and enlarge their fields as they chose.

It is interesting to note that under Joseph’s plan the maximum was twenty percent of about the same as is collected for unemployment and social security for each employee. He only collected it in the good years. We pay ours in bad years as well. In addition, we still pay income tax, property tax, sales tax, etc. With all the taxes and fees on shipping and materials, even those who pay no income or social security tax pay about thirty percent even though most of it is included in the price and isn’t called a tax. Is it any wonder that an economic downturn has a serious effect on people’s lifestyle?

“And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:50-52)

The first seven years were a time of blessing for Joseph, although they were very busy. The birth of his two sons and his marriage took his mind off all the years of suffering, and his missing his family, because he had another one. Perhaps for the first time in his life, he didn’t have to deal with conflict, at least at home, although there was probably plenty at work.

“And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.” (Genesis 41:53-54)

The famine was wide spread, but thanks to the irrigation systems and the abundant years, Egypt still had food. For a while after the seven good years ended people were able to get by on what they had saved, but the crops in the following years were so poor they didn‘t even meet all their needs.

“And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.” (Genesis 41:55-57)

The first year or so, the Egyptians made a killing selling the crops to other countries, but before long the individual farmers depleted their suppliies and were forced to turn to the government for help. The government, represented by Joseph then began selling the grain they had stored back to the people. They were able to pay for it with the money they had made exporting their crops. In addition some of the grain was exported to other countries. The Egyptian government became increasingly rich and powerful.

In Egyptian history, this famine marks the break between the Old Kingdom, around 2040 BC. Several of the great pyramids were built prior to Abrahams day, and by Joseph’s day Egypt had been declining for almost a hundred years. Few records were kept during that period. Under Joseph’s administration, the Egyptian Government regained it’s prestige, and consolidated it’s power over the people, setting the stage for the Middle kingdom under Mentuhotep.

During the middle Kingdom, most of the pyramids were smaller then those of the old Kingdom, and gradually construction moved from stone to brick. Toward the end of the period, the quality of the bricks deteriorated badly.

During this period, Egyptian scholarship became quite advanced, and great literature was written. Rulers like Amenemhat I and Senwosret III expanded Egyptian borders and invaded other countries, making Egypt truly a world power. After about four hundred years later the middle kingdom was conquered by the Hyksos and held for almost a hundred years.