Feast or Famine

Meanwhile [while all of Egypt became destitute and sold themselves to Pharoah as slaves], the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt.  There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. [Genesis 47.27]

The next day or so of reading the OYCB should be interesting.  I am particularly interested to see just how the Israelites transformed from their prosperity mentioned above to slavery.

Regardless, it is obvious that economic status can change.  Someone who is prosperous one year may be destitute the next and vice versa.  All it takes is an "act of God."

Could the Egyptians have prevented their plight?  I don't know.  What we do know is that Pharoah commissioned Joseph to be in charge of his crops and Joseph stockpiled like crazy.  One would think Joseph's/Pharoah's efforts would have been evident to the people.  If, in fact, this stockpiling regime was evident to the general population, one would also think the people would question it to the point of at least anticipating some kind of future hardship themselves and preparing likewise.

We have no real evidence however that the general population of Egypt followed Pharoah's lead in stockpiling grain in preparation for famine.  What we are sure of, from the Bible's text, is that all of Egypt had to sell themselves out to Pharoah, eventually even to the point of slavery, just so they could have food.  But not so with the descendants of Israel as Genesis 47.27 states above.

I will have to pay particular close attention to the transition from prosperity to slavery for Israel in Egypt, but I can easily see how they became further despised by natural-born Egyptians upon whom hardship had fallen while Israel prospered during Egypt's famine.

I am not sure what the point is today except to say that it is amazing what blessing fell upon a group of people (Israel) due to one man's (Joseph's) calling, persistence through extreme hardships, and subsequent wisdom gained through his experiences. 

As with most experiences of "feast" or "famine" however, nothing stays the same...

Father, it is easy to see that we as people are closely tied to one another.  Even as people groups, we we still have impact on other people groups.  Decisions made by one can often affect many - sometimes for good, sometimes for bad.  This reminds me how important it is to follow You - to seek You, to know You.  More lives than just my own could depend upon it.