53 When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end , 54 and the seven years of famine began to come , just as Joseph had said , then there was famine in all the lands , but in all the land of Egypt there was bread . 55 So when all the land of Egypt was famished , the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread ; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians , "Go to Joseph ; whatever he says to you, you shall do ." 56 When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth , then Joseph opened all the storehouses , and sold to the Egyptians ; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt . 57 The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph , because the famine was severe in all the earth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 41:53-57
Commentary on Genesis 41:46-57
(Read Genesis 41:46-57)
In the names of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph owned the Divine providence. 1. He was made to forget his misery. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction. The seven plenteous years came, and were ended. We ought to look forward to the end of the days, both of our prosperity and of our opportunity. We must not be secure in prosperity, nor slothful in making good use of opportunity. Years of plenty will end; what thy hand finds to do, do it; and gather in gathering time. The dearth came, and the famine was not only in Egypt, but in other lands. Joseph was diligent in laying up, while the plenty lasted. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when the famine came. Joseph was engaged in useful and important labours. Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his father Jacob said, Joseph is not! What a large portion of our troubles would be done away if we knew the whole truth! Let these events lead us to Jesus. There is a famine of the bread of life throughout the whole earth. Go to Jesus, and what he bids you, do. Attend to His voice, apply to him; he will open his treasures, and satisfy with goodness the hungry soul of every age and nation, without money and without price. But those who slight this provision must starve, and his enemies will be destroyed.