Genesis 41:33-36 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.… "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth," says our Lord, "where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." But this rule is not intended to prohibit us from providing in the time of plenty for a time of scarcity, as far as it can be done without neglecting the necessary duties of charity and piety, according to our circumstances. The poor ought not to want what their present necessities demand; but a provident care, in public governors, to guard against the mischiefs of famine, is requisite, chiefly for the sake of the lower ranks in society. If the superfluous produce of the earth had been given to the poor in the years of plenty, they must have been starved in the time of famine. No liberality to the poor ever deserved greater praise than Joseph's care to secure needful supplies both to the poor and rich. It was well ordered 'by the providence of God, for the safety of the people, that the years of famine were preceded by the years of plenty. If the seven years of famine had come before the years of plenty, few men would have been left to enjoy them. But from the years of plenty a sufficiency could be reserved to maintain life with comfort in the years of famine. (G. Lawson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.WEB: "Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. |
    |