Who was Joseph's Pharaoh?

On Sunday we meet another new character in the Joseph story – Pharaoh.  The elevation of Joseph by Pharaoh is one of the most remarkable moments of the story and prompts a natural question – Who was that guy?

Unlike some Pharaohs that are mentioned later in the Old Testament, the Bible never tells us this Pharaoh’s name.  Scholars have debated the matter for a long time, and to this day we haven’t yet discovered definitive evidence as to this Pharoah’s identity.  However, there are enough clues in the story that allow the options to be narrowed down quite a bit to one of a few Pharoah’s of the 12^th Dynasty, which lasted from roughly 1991 – 1803 B.C.

This time in Egypt’s history was marked by relative stability and security.  It was also marked by prosperity.  During this period many canals were dug and a lake was drained and converted into farmland.  These projects greatly increased the nation’s agricultural output.  The nation also expanded its borders south, further gaining valuable farming soil along the Nile River.  This helps to explain how Joseph was able to build up storehouses of grain before the famine…Egypt was producing more grain than ever before!

Skeptics like to point to the lack of evidence for both the Joseph story and the Exodus under Moses in the Egyptian record.  This shouldn’t surprise us, however, as the Egyptian records aren’t nearly as correct and complete as some scholars would have you believe.  We also know that the Egyptians typically didn’t write down their defeats and low times as a kingdom.  For example, there is no record of a seven-year famine in the Egyptian records.  BUT, the Greek records from during the time that the empire ruled over Egypt do mention such a famine in Egypt’s history.

My point, as always, is that we can trust that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God.  The Joseph story isn’t a fairy tale.  He really lived and God really worked through Him to save His Covenant people from starvation!

Here’s what’s happening:

1.  Today is the National Day of Prayer.  There are community prayer gatherings in Quarryville and Strasburg during the day and a worship service at 6:15 pm at the WJTL’s Junction Center.  Info can be found here: https://lancasterndp.com

2.  SUNDAY – Double Nickels

3.  May 14 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm.

4.  May 16 – Youth Group Campfire Hangout from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

5.  May 28 – Youth Group and Quilt Knotting at 6:30 pm.

5.  May 31 is “Graduation Sunday.”  We will be honoring our high school graduates during the worship service.  The youth group will have a celebration luncheon after the worship service.

6.  June 7  is “Quilt Dedication Sunday.”  We will be dedicating all of the quilts that have been knotted over the past school year.

7.  June 14 – Cruise for Christ Car Show.  The details for this outreach event are starting to come together.  We are inviting folks to come to the worship service at 10 am and then stay to check out the cars at 11:30 am.  Lunch will be provided!  Signup sheets for food donations and all the details are posted in the lobby.

8.  We will once again have a baptism service over the summer.  Please see me if you are interested in being baptized.

9.  AMEC is sponsoring a young adult gathering at Bethany Grace Fellowship on June 4 at 7 pm.  The plan is to have a time of worship and then watch “The Porch” (a young adult service streamed live from Dallas, TX). Afterward will be refreshments and an optional discussion group.  For more information contact Pastor Isaac Martin at isaac@bethanygf.org

We all have times in our lives when we need to seek out some guidance.  And there is no shortage of people who are willing to give us guidance!  But how do we know if the guidance we are getting is any good?  On Sunday we will look at Joseph’s guidance to Pharaoh and discover the purpose and the foundation of Godly guidance.