(Genesis) Genesis 47:27-31
Joseph implements a new system in Egypt, where the people give the fifth part of their land's produce to Pharaoh in exchange for food and protection.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph in the Bible, specifically on how he managed the famine in Egypt. The sermon begins by highlighting how the Egyptians and Canaanites came to Joseph for food when money failed during the famine. Joseph then proposed that they give their cattle in exchange for food. Eventually, even the cattle failed, and the people were left with no choice but to sell their land to Pharaoh in order to survive. Joseph then instructed the people to sow their grain as the famine would soon be over. The sermon emphasizes the great migration of people into urban areas to be closer to the grain supply centers that Joseph had established. The preacher also mentions that Joseph made it a law that Pharaoh would receive a fifth part of the harvest, except for the land of the priests.
Full Transcript
Now will you notice, verse 15, "...when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread, for why should we die in thy presence, for the money faileth? And Joseph said, Give your cattle, and I'll give you for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle, and then the cattle failed." That is, they got rid of them in the sense they sold all they had. They came the second year and said unto him, We'll not hide it from my Lord, how that our money is spent, and the herds of cattle are gone, and they want to put themselves in slavery.
He takes the land for Pharaoh. And Joseph, verse 20, "...bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them, so the land became Pharaoh's." Evidently, the famine really was a very terrible thing. It had spread over the land.
Now, verse 21, "...and as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt, even to the other end of them." A great migration into the urban areas, you see. Why? Well, they'd be near the center of supply, that is, where the grain was stored. And you remember that Joseph picked these centers throughout Egypt at the very beginning, and the grain was stored.
Now, he brings the people where they'll be close to the supply, because it has become very serious. We are told, verse 22, "...only the land of the priests bought he not, for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat that portion which Pharaoh gave them, wherefore they sold not their land. Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day, your land for Pharaoh.
Lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. It shall come to pass in the increase that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones." Now the famine is over. That is, Joseph knows it will be over in the next year, so he tells the people to sow their grain.
And they said, "...thou hast saved our lives. Let us find grace in thy sight of my Lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants." Verse 26, "...Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Famine in Egypt
- A. The people came to Joseph for bread
- B. Joseph bought the land from the Egyptians
- C. The land became Pharaoh's
- II. The Migration of the People
- A. Joseph moved the people to cities
- B. The people were near the center of supply
- III. The New System
- A. The priests were exempt from selling their land
- B. Joseph made a law for the land of Egypt
- C. Pharaoh received the fifth part of the land's produce
Key Quotes
“Give your cattle, and I'll give you for your cattle, if money fail.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Thou hast saved our lives. Let us find grace in thy sight of my Lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should be grateful for the provision and protection that God gives us, just like the people in Egypt were grateful to Joseph.
- God can use even difficult situations to bring about good and provide for our needs.
- We should be willing to give back to God and others, just like the people in Egypt gave the fifth part of their produce to Pharaoh.