Genesis 41:53-42:5

41⁵³ The seven years of plenty that prevailed in the land of Egypt came to an end, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every country, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread. ⁵⁵ When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.” ⁵⁶ And since the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses^[f] and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ Moreover, all the world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine became severe throughout the world.

42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you keep looking at one another? ² I have heard,” he said, “that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” ³ So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. ⁵ Thus the sons of Israel were among the people who came to buy grain, for the famine had reached the land of Canaan.

The search for food is an age-old human quest. In the story of God’s people, Joseph was put into place so that food would be stockpiled and then distributed, and God’ people would survive a famine.

People are still searching for food in our day and time. There are families and individuals who are in their own times of crisis and famine. And some of us have been able to stockpile the resources to help with their hunger.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the place and the provisions to offer our daily bag lunches and Saturday Soup Kitchen meals. Help us to continue being a refuge for those seeking food. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.