42-1: Contrary to popular assumption, Upper Egypt was in the South (and vice versa)

Today we begin Genesis Chapter 42.

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So just as God predicted, the famine struck.

We learn from this chapter that it wasn’t just Egypt but the whole Middle East was affected.

Joseph, being number two next to Pharaoh, was now one of the most powerful men in the world.

There is an important geographical point concerning Egypt you need to understand because it will shed much light on the logistics of the famine that Egypt went through.

First, Egypt was divided into Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. 

However, contrary to most people’s assumptions, Upper Egypt is in the South and Lower Egypt is in the North. 

And the reason is because the ground in the Southern part of Egypt was at a higher elevation than the ground in the Northern part of Egypt.

To put it simply, the words “upper” and “lower” are referring to ground height in relation to each other and NOT geographical location. 

So since water obviously flows downhill, the Nile River in Egypt flowed FROM the Southern part of Egypt TO the Northern part.

When looking at a map, the flow of the Nile River would appear to be defying gravity (flowing up) but of course that’s really not the case.

Now the physical cause of the famine was a lack of rainfall plain and simple.

If there isn’t enough rain to fill up the Great Nile where it starts in the Southern part of Egypt, the rest of Egypt is in serious trouble.

It was of particular importance that the Nile overflowed its banks during the summer months.

This was important because the overflowing water not only watered the land but carried soil filled with nutrients necessary for a successful crop harvest.

Minus the Nile River, Egypt would be an uninhabitable wasteland. 

It’s also important to know that during this time the people of Egypt and the people of Canaan were trading partners.

If either one experienced a crop failure, they usually could count on being able to purchase food from each other.

Now here’s an important and interesting point that I think points to the supernatural evidence of this widespread famine.

The climate systems that control rainfall in southern (upper) Egypt and the Middle East are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

The fact that BOTH Egypt and Canaan simultaneously experienced a drought of such devastating proportions was an event that could only have been brought about by the hand of God.