In today's devotional, I would like to ask you to read Genesis 41 in it's entirety for yourself. Here is a the passage I will mostly focus on today:
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:28-33)
Here are some take aways that we ought to ponder, accept, and prepare for:
- THE PLENTY WILL BE FORGOTTEN (41:29-30): The famine in Joseph's time would be so severe that everyone would forget the years of plenty. For us today in the United States especially, most of us cannot understand this becasue we grew up into plenty for the most part. The world's default currency, meaning the U.S. dollar was weaponized with the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, this put into fast motion the rapid growth of the BRICKS Nations. Google that (The Bricks Nations) as you need to understand what BRICKS is. In a nutshel, is a group of growing nations that started over 20 years ago to trade within their group as trade partners. The Bricks nations now include Russia, China, India, Brazil, and many, many other countries. Their default currency will be based on a basket of currencies anchored on the gold standard. Their goal to begin to use their own basket of currencies as opposed to continuing their dependency on the U.S. dollar. For most of us, we only know times of good and a world that revolves around the United States and the U.S. dollar.
- By the plenty will be forgotten, we must understand that most everything we buy is cheap/inexpensive due to the simple fact that we are the worlds currency. Ten years ago, a 25K Toyota Camry cost 75K in most any other country. Why only 25K? Because the United States was the worlds currency. The point is this: What we have, we have if we can hold onto it: A house, a car, a boat, etc. But, those days will be forgotten as times of famine and trials begin. This is not designed to be a doom and gloom devotion, but a biblical wake up call to look at God's Word in light of the fact that nothing is new under the sun. God's people have become soft and failed to be salt and light in a materialistic world. I feel like an old man saying that. Let's now jump into some application, bridging Genesis 41 and 2023.
- In applicaiton, I will make some observations and application to this entire chapter due to the fact that this chapter is very pertinent and very applicable to where the West, especially the United States is today. I am not a prophet, as prophet's no longer exist in our modern age. I have the spiritual gift of "Discernment", a desire to understand God's Word, and to share it with others. It's within that context that I enter today's devotional. At this point in the history of the United States, there are many probabilities, but in most cases, no certainties. That being said, with God, there are certainties. One thing that is certain is that the U.S. dollar is beginning to fail more rapidly than we have ever seen in our lift time. As a result, the quality of life will be downgraded for many if not most Americans. Many will be wiped out, most will be vastly negatively affected, but for those who follow old fashion biblical principles, they will prevail, even prosper in times plague and famine. God commands us to read His Word and to "PREPARE" when we see storm clouds on the horizon. When I speak with many (if not most) Christians in Charlotte and around the United States. In America, it seems that most Christians are not preparing for times of famine, which is at our door step. It seems that many people think that things can get back to normal. I am baffled as to the differences between the Christian of 20-30 years ago and the Christian of today (2023), which by the way are the same Christians in many cases. We have just become complacent and off track. In today's modern age, I see paralysis, confusion, and fear in the body of Christ. Yes, we are called not to worry about tomorrow, but to worry about today. But the Bible is clear that we as well are to wisely prepare like the ant for times yet come. As a result, this causes Christians to get stressed out because we simply don't know where to go or what to do. This is understandable but unacceptable. In Genesis 41, God raised us Joseph to speak to the Pharoah regarding the impending famine that was about to come upon Egypt. God did what God most always does: He instructs His people, or in this case Joseph, to help others through God's wisdom and help. In reading this chapter, you will see that Joseph says this: "
- SOME OBSERVATIONS: "...God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about do" (vs. 25). Notice that Joseph did not take credit for this himself but gave all credit and glory to God. LED by the Spirit of God, Joseph revealed that the "DREAMS" have the same meaning (22:15). "GOD HAS SHOWN PHAROAH": Again Joseph testified to the living God in a pagan court (39:3). Joseph emphasized his reference to the true God as he witnessed to the reality of the only true God. He made it clear that he was speaking about the one God, not the numerous false gods that filled the Egyptian court, or even Pharoah himself who was believed to be god (22:1; 42:18). We too, in applications should be equipped biblically, emotionally and spiritually to share the truth of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. We as believers are called to be the rock, the strong adult in the room to a lost and dying world. Times of trial will bring a harvest of opportunities to share the Christian faith with our neighbors as never seen before in history I believe.
- Verse 33 makes clear that it was God who sent Joseph, "a discerning and wise man". God sent the dreams; God enabled Joseph to understand them; and ultimately. God controlled and will control all things. For us today, God gives us the same wisdom, warning and ability to prepare through his Word, the Bible. There are many episodes on "preparation" on the Reason For Truth Podcast. Please check those out.
- IN CLOSING: I want to be clear that I am not a "prepper". But I believe in being prepared. This is no small thing and I did not have plans for today's devotion before I read today's passage. The good news is that God provides, protects and even prospers those who look to Him for guidance in preparing for the famine(s) yet to come in life. With that said, I want to encourage you to read Genesis 41 for yourself in light of what I have said today. Then take some time in prayer, asking God, how He might have you prepare for the upcoming days. Why do this? For your sake, for your children's sakes, your grandchildren and your neighbors sake. If we as God's people are prepared, we can help others in need and be a witness for Jesus Christ just as Joseph was a witness to the true biblical God of the universe in a pagan society void of God.
- Thank you for hearing me on this one. Should anyone want to discuss this or do a livestream or video chat, please let me know. I am happy to share with my community some of what I know, what I see and think, and how we might as believers in Jesus Christ better prepare, just as Joseph did thousands of years ago.
