The Old Testament’s Prepper Plan

The origin of the Prepper Movement in the United States was inspired by the Cold War. The Cold War with the former Soviet Union created mass paranoia in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. As the world faced the threat of a nuclear war, bomb shelters began to be constructed. Once completed, these bunkers were filled with food and water just in case portions of the earth were unlivable.

Take note! Seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. ³⁰ Then there will come seven years of hunger and famine, and [there will be so much want that] all the great abundance of the previous years will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and hunger (destitution, starvation) will exhaust (consume, finish) the land. ³¹ And the plenty will become quite unknown in the land because of that following famine, for it will be very woefully severe. ³² That the dream was sent twice to Pharaoh and in two forms indicates that this thing which God will very soon bring to pass is fully prepared and established by God. ³³ So now let Pharaoh seek out and provide a man discreet, understanding, proficient, and wise and set him over the land of Egypt [as governor], Genesis 41:29-33.

After spending several years in prison, Joseph had plenty of time to think about what he would do if and when he was released. Two years after the Chief Butler of Pharaoh was restored to his position, a meeting is set up between Joseph and Pharaoh. Joseph didn’t just solve the riddles within Pharaoh’s two dreams, God gave Joseph a vision to proactively prepare for a future famine.

Let Pharaoh do this; then let him select and appoint officers over the land, and take one-fifth [of the produce] of the [whole] land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years [year by year]. ³⁵ And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and lay up grain under the direction and authority of Pharaoh, and let them retain food [in fortified granaries] in the cities. ³⁶ And that food shall be put in store for the country against the seven years of hunger and famine that are to come upon the land of Egypt, so that the land may not be ruined and cut off by the famine. ³⁷ And the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants, Genesis 41:34-37.

This plan impressed Pharaoh and convinced him to choose Joseph to carry out this prepper plan to spend 7 years to prepare for a worldwide famine. After touring the entire nation of Egypt, Joseph developed plans to build granaries in strategic locations. Twenty percent of each harvest was then placed in storage granaries. This process was repeated for 7 years until every granary was filled to the brim. Perhaps, modern societies can learn from Joseph to carefully prep and prepare for future economic downturns and famines.

by Jay Mankus