And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt
Joseph advanced to power
I. THE RIPENESS OF HIS AGE AND EXPERIENCE. Providence, which prepares events, also prepares men for them.
II. THE PRACTICAL CHARACTER OF HIS MIND. Not puffed up by pride. At once betakes himself to business.
III. THE CHEERFUL AND HOPEFUL CHARACTER OF HIS PIETY (Genesis 41:51-52).
1. He desires to forget all that is evil in the past.
2. He is thankful for present mercies. (T. H. Leale.)
Outgoing
1. “Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.”
(1) The man;
(2) The land;
(3) The outgoing. Went out--
(a) To survey the field;
(b) To organize the work;
(c) To initiate his gatherings.
2. The earth brought forth by handfuls.”
(1) To fulfil Joseph’s interpretation;
(2) To fill Joseph’s granaries;
(3) To feed Joseph’s dependants.
(4) To honour Joseph’s God.
3. “Laid up the food in the cities.”
(1) Food abundant;
(2)Food gathered;
(3)Food garnered;
(4)Food convenient. (American Sunday School Times.)
Joseph’s stewardship in Egypt
I. THAT HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY RESTING UPON HIM. This is indicated to us--
1. In his superintending the work personally.
2. In his sparing no trouble in the execution of the work.
3. In the regard he paid to justice.
II. THAT HE MANIFESTED GREAT WISDOM IN THE EXECUTION OF THE WORK,
1. Inasmuch as he commenced it without delay.
2. Inasmuch as he persevered to the end.
3. Inasmuch as his arrangements answered the best purpose.
III. THE SUCCESSFUL ISSUE OF THE UNDERTAKING.
1. It conferred incalculable benefits on his fellow-creatures.
2. He gained the approbation of the king. (J. Jones.)
The in-gathering
What a busy scene must the valley of the Nile have presented at the time of harvest! Multitudes would be engaged, in the very first year of plenty, under Joseph’s direction, in gathering in the abundant crops, and in storing such of the produce of the country as was not required for immediate consumption. The process of cutting the corn, and depositing it in granaries, is exhibited on the monuments. “Wheat,” says Wilkinson, “was cut in five, barley in four months. The wheat, as at the present day, was bearded, and the same varieties, doubtless, existed in ancient as in modern times; among which may be mentioned the seven-eared quality mentioned in Pharaoh’s dream. It was cropped a little below the ear with a toothed sickle, and carried to the threshing floor in wicker baskets upon asses, or in rope nets, the gleaners following to collect the fallen ears in hand baskets.” It was threshed out by oxen, the peasants who superintended them relieving their toil by singing songs, one of which Champollion found in a tomb at Eilethya, written in hieroglyphics, to the following effect:
“Thresh for yourselves,
Thresh for yourselves;
O oxen, thresh for yourselves,
O oxen, thresh for yourselves;
Measure for yourselves,
Measure for your masters.”
The granaries are likewise frequently represented on the monuments. They appear to have been public buildings, usually of vast extent, and divided into vaults, some of which had arched roofs. Immediately at the entrance was a room in which the corn was deposited when brought from the threshing floor, h flight of Steps led to the vault, whither it was carried, in baskets, on men’s shoulders. (Thornley Smith.)