Seeing the Fantastic In The Famine

I have been reading through Genesis in my devotions for the past few weeks. The last week or so I have been in the section where Joseph is in his up and down ride through the plan of God for his life and the larger plan for the nation of Israel. In chapter forty-one, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, telling him that a severe famine is about to come upon the whole land. He tells Pharaoh that this is about to be done by God.

"And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about."

Sure enough, the famine comes and it spreads throughout the whole earth. Joseph's brothers are forced to come to Egypt to buy food in order to survive and it is there that Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers as second in charge in the land of Egypt. He tells his brothers (who had started this whole cycle in his life by throwing him into a pit and then selling him into slavery) in chapter 45,

"And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life...for God sent me before you to preserve a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors."

Do you see the fantastic in the famine? The famine was sent by God. This was the worst famine the world had ever seen and extended to all the earth, but it was sent by God. Why? God sent the famine in order to get his children, the nation of Israel, to Egypt. Why did he do that? God moved his children to Egypt so that He could have them put into bondage. Why would God do that? He did that so that He would then raise up a deliverer, Moses. Why would he do that? He did that to reveal Himself to His people, Israel, and to make His name and power known to Pharaoh.

Why did God do all of this? He did it to picture a coming Deliverer for His people. He did it to picture a coming Sacrificial Lamb whose blood would be spilled so that God's wrath could Passover all who believe in Him, Jesus Christ.

Are you in a famine right now? Remember, that for those who believe in Jesus Christ, God is always up to more than we can see or imagine. Remember the words of Joseph to his brothers,

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive..."