If you obey God's will with faith, we will go through

difficult “times of famine” without lacking anything.

Joseph informed his brothers and their families,

who had come down from Canaan to Egypt, saying,

"Since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians,

you and your families will settle in the land of Goshen"

(Genesis 46:34).

Then Joseph went to Pharaoh and reported,

"My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds

and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan

and are now in Goshen" (47:1).

As a result, Pharaoh said to Joseph,

"Your father and your brothers have come to you,

and the land of Egypt is before you;

settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.  

Let them live in Goshen.

If you know of any among them with special ability,

put them in charge of my own livestock" (vv. 5-6).

Therefore, Joseph settled his father and brothers in Egypt

and gave them property in the best part of the land, in Rameses

(a specific district within the region of Goshen, according to the internet),

as Pharaoh had commanded (v. 11).

Joseph also provided his father, his brothers,

and all his father's household with food

according to the number of their dependents (v. 12).

"Since settling in the fertile land of Goshen

required special permission from Pharaoh,

Joseph advised Jacob with some wisdom.

Foreigners from Palestine were always viewed

with suspicion by the Egyptians,

making it difficult to settle in the border regions.

However, because Egyptians despised shepherds,

it was even less likely that Pharaoh would arrange for them to settle inland.

Therefore, Joseph advised his family

to emphasize their occupation as shepherds,

ensuring that Pharaoh would have no choice

but to grant them permission to settle in Goshen.

Jacob's ability to lead his entire family to Goshen

was solely due to his obedience to God's predestination.

Because of this faith, the Israelites were able to endure

the difficult time of famine without lacking anything

and received the blessing of becoming as numerous

as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.

Since God is with us, when we obey His will in faith,

we will face no lack even in difficult "times of famine."

In doing so, we can confess,

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want"

(Psalms 23:1).