Genesis 41:56

Joseph opened all the storehouses. When the Egyptians had consumed their own stores of food they turned to the king, remembering, no doubt, the special grain levy imposed for seven successive years. He directed them to Joseph, the minister of food, who opened the granaries for native Egyptians and for the foreigners who came to Egypt for food. Several hieroglyphic records found in Egypt mention famine conditions. In these records certain high officials claim to have alleviated the misery of the poor and hungry during times of want, proclaiming in their tomb inscriptions, “I gave bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked and a boat to the one who was without.” An official of the Twelfth Dynasty (20th century B.C.) claimed, “When years of famine came I plowed all the fields of the Oryx district, . . . preserving its people alive and furnishing its food so that there was none hungry therein.”

Joseph’s wisdom as an administrator now became apparent to all. If anyone had had doubt as to his policy of hoarding tremendous quantities of grain year after year, none questioned the prudence of the policy now. What would Pharaoh, a foreign ruler, have done with a famishing population? How could he have averted the overthrow of his own dynasty, except for the forethought of Joseph? This young Hebrew, a former house slave, had become the savior of the throne, of all Egypt, and of surrounding nations as well.

Sold. That Joseph did not distribute the stored grain free to the perishing multitudes was not without reason. The people had certainly been warned of the impending calamity, and might by care and economy have saved a little themselves for the days of want. Since the people had to pay for the grain, they were encouraged to exercise frugality and to avoid wasting the precious supply of food, which must be made to last for seven long years. This plan also enabled Joseph to extend relief to the starving populations of other countries. The fact that the grain was sold back to the people makes it clear that the collection had been made as a form of taxation and not as a public service rendered by the king.