Genesis 47:18

When that year was over, they came to him the second year and said, "We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone and all our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.

Study Bible

When that year was over
This phrase indicates the passage of time during the severe famine in Egypt. The famine, which Joseph had predicted, lasted seven years. The completion of a year suggests the ongoing struggle for survival and the depletion of resources among the people.

they came to him the second year and said
The people approached Joseph, who was the governor of Egypt and responsible for distributing food. This reflects the centralized power and control Joseph held, a position given to him by Pharaoh due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams and manage the crisis.

“We cannot hide from our lord that our money is gone
The people openly confess their financial destitution to Joseph, acknowledging his authority. This transparency highlights their desperation and the complete exhaustion of their monetary resources, which they had initially used to buy grain.

and all our livestock belongs to you
Previously, the Egyptians had traded their livestock for food. This transaction shows the severity of the famine and the extent to which the people were willing to go to survive. It also reflects the economic shift and consolidation of wealth and resources under Joseph's administration.

There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land
This statement underscores the dire situation faced by the Egyptians. They offer themselves and their land as a last resort, which foreshadows the eventual servitude and land acquisition by Pharaoh. This mirrors the later enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, drawing a parallel to their future plight. The mention of "bodies and land" also alludes to the concept of total surrender and dependency, which can be seen as a type of spiritual submission to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joseph
The son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. He was responsible for managing the resources of Egypt during the famine.

2. Egyptians
The people of Egypt who were suffering from a severe famine and had already spent all their money and livestock to buy grain from Joseph.

3. Famine
A severe and prolonged shortage of food that affected Egypt and the surrounding regions, leading to desperate measures by the people to survive.

4. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, who entrusted Joseph with the management of the country's resources during the famine.

5. Land of Egypt
The geographical setting where these events took place, highlighting the severity of the famine and the centralization of power and resources under Joseph's administration.

Teaching Points

Stewardship and Wisdom
Joseph's management of resources during the famine demonstrates the importance of wise stewardship and planning for future needs. Believers are encouraged to manage their resources prudently.

Dependence on God
The Egyptians' plight reminds us of the ultimate dependence on God for provision. In times of need, we should turn to God and trust in His provision.

The Cost of Desperation
The Egyptians' willingness to sell themselves and their land illustrates the lengths to which people will go in desperate times. It serves as a cautionary tale about the spiritual and physical costs of desperation.

God's Sovereignty
Despite the dire circumstances, God's sovereignty is evident in Joseph's position and the preservation of the people. This encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan, even in difficult times.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Joseph's role in Egypt during the famine reflect God's providence and sovereignty in difficult situations?

2. In what ways can we apply the principles of wise stewardship and planning from Joseph's example to our own lives today?

3. How does the Egyptians' dependence on Joseph and Pharaoh during the famine relate to our dependence on God for our daily needs?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Egyptians' desperation and willingness to give up everything for survival?

5. How do the events in Genesis 47:18 connect with the concept of the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25, and what does this teach us about God's view of ownership and provision?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 41
This chapter provides the background of Joseph's rise to power and the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, which predicted the seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

Leviticus 25
Discusses the Year of Jubilee, where land was to be returned to its original owners, contrasting with the permanent acquisition of land by Pharaoh in Genesis 47.

Proverbs 22:7
Highlights the principle that the borrower is servant to the lender, which is exemplified by the Egyptians' dependence on Joseph and Pharaoh.