And All the Plenty Shall Be Forgotten
Context: Genexis 41 & 47
Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. Genesis 41:29-31
It is amazing how we can read portions of the word of God over an over, yet all of a sudden see something we’ve never seen before and it’s something so basic. As I read the above portion as part of my daily read-through-the-Bible every year, the phrase “…and all the plenty shall be forgotten….” really struck me.
In this passage, Joseph is interpreting for Pharaoh the two dreams he’s had. The story is dealing with a real life, physical situation and verses 29-31 sum it up in how 7 years of famine would follow 7 years of plenty. As is often the case, we can draw a spiritual application from this physical situation.
As I go over my own Bible reading & prayer time as well as church attendance and the spiritual nourishment received there, I know that unless I am continuously attending to those things, one “week’s” worth of faithfullness in those areas cannot provide adequate supply for the next week.
We see that the Egyptians had to keep coming back again and again to Joseph to get food when they ran out, and each time, they had to sell something of great value to get enough food for the next year.
1st year: They gave all their money – Genesis 47:13-14
2nd year: They sold all their cattle – Genesis 47:15-17
3rd year: The sold all their land and themselves – Genesis 47:18-20
If they did not keep coming back, they would not have the food & nourishment they needed and would perish physically. Over time, the body would “forget” what it got before.
So it is with us: We MUST keep coming back to God’s Word and church for the Spiritual nourishment for the daily spiritual nourishment we need to remain spiritually strong. The previous day’s nourishment does not keep providing enough energy for the next day. Our body requires nourishment daily for optimum physical health, and likewise our spirit. Otherwise, “the plenty shall be forgotten,” and we forget the spiritual lessons God gives us day by day, especially in the reading of His Word.
I often fail in the area of faithful Bible reading, and I see the consequences of the “forgetting” in my own life: lack of faith, unthankfulness, pride, and the list goes on.
Let us be diligent to seek God’s plenty, for:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1Peter 5:8
Published October 17, 2012 | By Angela Trenholm
Posted in Bible, Devotionals | Leave a comment