In the biblical story of Joseph we see that God intervened in the history of Egypt to prevent the nation's collapse during a time of drought and famine. Through young Joseph, God warned the most powerful nation of the day that there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
"Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe" (Genesis 41:29-31).
Lately I have been thinking a great deal about this story as the global financial crisis has been unfolding before us. Since last September, and really a year before that, we have seen a massive devaluation of wealth, business failures, financial collapse and rising unemployment. Some voices are even beginning to say that we will not regain the losses in our lifetime. It is a very sobering time.
We have several articles in this issue of World News and Prophecy dealing with the global recession. By now your life is being directly impacted by the effects of this downturn. Mine is. We are going to be living with the effects of this period for the rest of our lives. It is time for all of us to get used to this idea and take the necessary steps to survive these times.
The character of Joseph gives us insight into how we can deal with the economic situation. Joseph told Pharaoh, "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt" (verse 33). Later, when Pharaoh determined that such a man was Joseph, Pharaoh asked, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?... Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you" (verses 38-39).
