Joseph’s Administration of the Famine: Joseph is pictured as a wise, shrewd, and compassionate administrator, loyal to Pharaoh as well as concerned for the people. During the harsh famine he displays great administrative skill in distributing the stored food in a way that meets the needs of the people and strengthens the crown. He prudently prepares for the land to return to production at the end of the famine.

47:13–17 The Egyptians and the inhabitants of Canaan groaned beneath the unending famine. After the Egyptians had paid all their money for grain and Joseph had brought it to Pharaoh’s palace, they began to cry out to Joseph for food. Joseph agreed to sell them food in exchange for their livestock—their horses, their flocks, their cattle and donkeys.

47:18–26 The next year the people i…