EXPLORE IT - Genesis 43:15-34

Some question the historical accuracy of the Old Testament stories.  Is the Old Testament just that, stories?  Or can we really trust they happened?  As we look at the story of Joseph in Genesis, can we accept this story as truth or is it fiction?  Do we have any other documents that support the New Testament accounts to help encourage our faith in the Old Testament events?  For instance, is there other documentation of such droughts and famines in early Egyptian literature? 

Natural causes like drought, locusts, and disease are recorded as sources of famine and the cause for malnutrition and starvation.  We see a locust plague bringing destruction in Joel 1.  Human action also inflicted drought on the population.  Times of war destroyed crops and fields.  Isaiah 7 shares the report of the invading Assyrians devastating Judah’s agricultural economy.  There are also accounts of powerful people hoarding food, which led to the starvation of many.

These famines were oftentimes local and temporary.  There are also records of long-term, widespread famines.  From the twenty-second to the twentieth centuries B.C., Egyptian texts indicate a prolonged and extensive drought and sporadic famines. 

One recorded famine dates to the time of the patriarchs.  The Admonitions of Ipuwer write about chaos in their community due to famine from an extended time of desert-like conditions.

Due to these extra-biblical writings (historical secular documents not included in the Bible), we are able to conclude that such times of famine did occur in Egypt and the story of Joseph in Genesis is historically possible.  We are called to believe the truth and accuracy of the Bible by faith, but there are historical accounts outside of Scripture that support our belief.  I believe we can utilize these historical documents to help encourage and build our faith.

Blessings,
Pastor Amy