Lately, I've felt extremely compelled to write about Genesis 41, and the importance of preparedness. I don't know why, but over the last month the Lord has been reminding me of the Lord's provision to Pharaoh through Joseph's interpretation of his dream. Often I feel that there is a great divide amongst Christians between being prepared, and at the same time not worrying.
Often we (Christians) think we shouldn't prepare for “uncertainty”, because we aren't trusting God. However, I think the Bible teaches that God uses people to prepare for troubling times. The problem is very few people (Christians included) aren't listening. In talking with my Grandpa frequently I heard the same to be true prior to the Great Depression. People weren't expecting it. The roaring '20s had no one thinking of 25% unemployment. Food lines a quarter-mile long, and people starving.
Pharaoh's Dreams and Joseph's Interpretation
In, Genesis 41, God reveals a dream to Pharaoh and uses Joseph to interpret the dream. For those of you who don't know the story here is an overview:
- Pharaoh has two dreams (verses 17-24)
- In the first dream Pharaoh sees seven fat cows grazing along the Nile, and then seven scrawny/ugly cows come and eat up the seven fat cows.
- In the second dream Pharaoh sees seven heads of grain (full and good), and then seven heads sprout (withered and thin) that swallow up the seven good heads.
- Joseph interprets the dream. The seven good cows and heads of grain are seven years of abundance, and the seven ugly cows and thin heads of grain are seven years of famine. (verses 25-30)
- Joseph says that seven good years will not be remembered during the seven bad years. Joseph says God has revealed this to Pharaoh because it's been firmly decided and he is to put someone in charge to collect one-fifth of the harvest during each of the seven years. (verses 30-35)
- The collection of one-fifth of the harvest will help Egypt survive the famine and not be ruined (verse 35-36)
- Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of the collecting because God has made “all this known”, and he is wise and discerning. (verses 37-40)
The whole story is really compelling and similar to the 1920s (seven fat cows and good heads of grain) and the following years of the Great Depression (seven lean cows and thin heads of grain). Like my Grandfather told me, “no one saw it coming, Charlie. No one!”
Lessons that apply to today and preparation
God used both Pharaoh and Joseph in amazing ways and for many years to come. First off, Pharaoh had to be open to allowing someone to interpret his dreams. Secondly, God used Joseph to be both the man that interprets and prepares His people for many years of famine.
After going through the Great Recession in 2008, I feel like we may have since gone through our five fat cows years (2009-2013). We've quickly forgotten how bad things were in 2008, and now our savings rates are again back close to 0%. Our mortgages are close to breakeven (no longer underwater), and we've started to feel somewhat good again. However, I feel like God is telling His people to prepare. To prepare for something much worse than 2008.
As I write the above words I realize how subjective the statements are, and fully realize people may not feel the same way. But I know God still uses people to prepare people like he used Joseph. Whether he uses me, your pastor, a friend, or neighbor it really doesn't matter. God can use anyone to prepare for the best and worst of times just like Joseph.
So if the above is true, then now might be a good time to prepare. Here are a few tips to prepare:
- Stockpiling – much like Joseph save 20% of his country's harvest during the seven “fat” years, now is the time to preparing your family. Consider stockpiling canned goods, water, and a proportion of your income (20%). During the seven fat years, I have to think this was hard for them to save 20%, and how easy it would have been to spend “the plenty”.
- Reducing Debt – as the Great Recession is in our rearview mirror it was easy to see that a big cause was unsecured mortgages, high debt to income ratios, and sub-prime mortgages. Focus on reducing your family's debt burden, because these are your family's monthly commitments regardless of good or bad times. Weathering an economic collapse will be easier (obviously) with having as much debt.
- Growing your own food – my grandpa talked about how they'd grow all vegetables in a one-acre garden for their family and how the neighbors would think they are crazy. Even in suburban areas it possible to start raising a portion of your family's food needs, and get started somewhere. Undoubtedly, I'm sure the farm gardens helped people make it through the depression and should be considered even today.
- Trading services – lately I've been having a number of car troubles that have quickly added up and drain on my emergency fund. I'm reminded of how my grandpa would frequently help neighbors with harvesting, tending to cattle, and other chores for no financial benefit. It was all about helping your neighbor because that's what needed to be done to get through the depression. Consider how you can serve your friends and neighbors now because there could potentially be a way that they could help you during tough times.
Whether we go through economic collapse it is always a good idea to have a plan of “what if” scenarios, and how long you could sustain a number of “lean” years. I'd be interested in 1) hearing your opinions on the state of the economy, and 2) how do you prepare for the worst-case scenarios?
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6 Comments
I know this article is a bit dated, but the material within continues to apply more so as the years go by. My wife and I have recently sold a home to get out from underneath any mortgage. Currently, we live in military on post housing. As God allows, we plan on saving the essentials, storing away hard cash, putting back extra food/water, and also establishing 2 x week long emergency backpacks. Ultimately, it’s Almighty God who knows our needs when we are in need, but it’s just smart thinking to have a little extra, and to not buy things that are not really needed. I still struggle with that. Thanks for sharing!
@Simon – thanks!
@Laurie – I don’t think it should make your stomach hurt, but all you can do is trust in the Lord. He’ll provide and continue to listen to Him!
@Anita – thanks for reading! I had no clue you were reading our blog! :) Ya I really feel like Grandpa and Norman had it right! As much as the Great Depression left a mark on their life, I appreciate how they spoke into our lives about being prepared. I really learned a lot from them both! I so glad that they didn’t keep quiet about those years. If you haven’t already, then check out my Great Depression interviews with Grandpa and Grandma.
@GraceAnna – I understand you may not feel like the last few years have not been that good. However, if things get bad, then you’ll soon realize just how good these last few years have been. Also in listening to Dave Ramsey he talked about how good the last few years have been for a lot of folks. Regardless, we know who is in charge!
“Often I feel that there is a great divide amongst Christians between being prepared, and at the same time not worrying.”
I agree with being prepared. It is always wise to live modestly and have something saved up for a rainy day even when we’re not in a recession or depression. I would disagree that the last five years have been fat cow years though. Personally, I feel that it has still been a little “lean” since the great recession of 2008.
Cousin Charlie, you are right on with your words, your Grandpa and my Dad(his brother) had it right. My husband and I practice self preparedness as much as we can, we grow all our own veggies and hunt for our meat. I believe in God helps those who help themselves. There is nothing wrong with being prepared for any kind of incident.
Charlie, I couldn’t have said it better myself. IMHO, you are right on track here. Your grandpa’s words about how no one saw it coming made my stomach hurt. I feel like that’s exactly the place so many Americans are in now. So many think we’ll be just fine here. I’m not so sure that’s true.
I think the Bible is pretty straightforward when it comes to preparing. It urges Christians to do so constantly. For example, though a bit out of context, Matthew 25:13, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” I tend to be optimistic on the economy, even when the worse comes to worst, the innovativeness and the resilience of the great people of this nation will pull us out of the quagmire. That said, in readiness I might start growing my own food and probably picking up a few bit practical skills I might trade. Great post Charlie.