Joseph’s Storehouse

Joseph’s Storehouse

“So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.” Gen. 41:55-57.

Joseph was very God-fearing from his earliest youth, and God revealed Himself to him in visions and dreams. However, we read that those who fear God shall suffer persecution, and Joseph certainly experienced this in every way. He was misunderstood and hated by his brothers and had to suffer for his faith. In all this he suffered patiently and did not fail in his faithfulness toward God. Joseph learned to know God’s wisdom in the various situations; he received a keener ear with which to hear God’s voice. This wisdom, which had cost him so much suffering, saved all of Egypt in the day of need.

No one had any use for Joseph and his wisdom as long as there was prosperity in Egypt. Then he was despised and rejected. But when famine came over the land, they came and bowed before Joseph to receive grain, and he was praised for his godly fear and wisdom.

We can also find men like Joseph in our days, men who have meditated on the Word of the Lord from their youth and who have lived according to God’s Word so that it has become flesh in their lives. In all their conduct they have stood before God’s face and not sought the honor of men. They were very diligent in being obedient to the faith. Thus knowing God’s testimony in their inner man, they despised the testimony of man. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; therefore they have—just like Joseph—received much wisdom and the knowledge of God. However, they had the same experience as Jesus. We read about Him that He is the stone who was rejected by the builders, but who has become the cornerstone. These men have also been rejected and despised by the builders of our days; nevertheless, they are living stones in God’s house.

In the meantime, famine is coming over the land. People are becoming aware that we are living in the last part of the end times, and they are beginning to seek God’s pure and unadulterated Word. They are tired of all the superficial preaching that is spiced with touching stories. They are seeking real nourishment for their spirits. In their need people are now beginning to have their eyes opened to a poor and despised Joseph. From him they can receive grain and grapes in abundance. The storehouses are full. The meeting halls are beginning to fill up with hungry people who swallow every word. We meet people everywhere who have been converted for many years, but they tell us that they have never received nourishment for their spirit in the assemblies where they have gone. Now such starving souls rejoice greatly over Joseph’s stores of grain.

As the religious outer court is being trodden down by the Gentiles (Rev. 11:2), the most upright among them are urging their leaders to give them nourishment. Usually these leaders cannot do this, and in desperation they will finally have to acknowledge it and say: “Go to Joseph, and whatever he says to you, do.”