Joseph opened all the Storehouses. Genesis 41:56 THE story of Joseph is full of interest; but it is chiefly useful to us as being marvelously typical of the life of our Lord Jesus.

Remark the bounty of providence in raising up Joseph to save the house of Israel, yea, and the whole world, from famishing. Then note the greatness of sovereign grace in raising up Jesus to save his people, and to be God's salvation to the ends of the earth. Joseph had beforehand filled the vast storehouses, and our text shows us how he used the store: "Joseph opened all the storehouses" How much more has been done by Jesus! O to be partakers of his grace!

I. JOSEPH OPENED THE STOREHOUSES BY ROYAL AUTHORITY.

1. The king was only to be approached through Joseph: "Go unto Joseph" (verse 55). So with Jesus. "No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

2. The king Commanded that Joseph should be obeyed: "What he saith to you, do" (verse 55). "All men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father" (John 5:23).

3. In all the land no other could open a storehouse save Joseph. "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand" (John 3:35).

II. JOSEPH WAS A FIT PERSON TO BE THUS AUTHORIZED TO OPEN THE STOREHOUSES.

1. He planned the storehouses, and was justly appointed to control them. See verses 33 to 36. "Can we find such a one as this is?" (verse 38).

2. He carried out the storage, and so proved himself practical as well as inventive. "Joseph gathered corn as the sand" (verse 49).

3. He did it on a noble scale. He gathered corn "until he left numbering; for it was without number" (verse 49).

4. He had wisdom to distribute well.

The parallel is easily drawn, for our Lord Jesus is that Housekeeper, one of a thousand, who has provided for our soul's famine; "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, and of his fullness have all we received" (Col. 1:19; John 1:16).

III. JOSEPH ACTUALLY OPENED THE STOREHOUSES.

1. For this purpose he filled them. Grace is meant to be used.

2. To have kept them closed would have been no gain to him.

3. He opened them at a fit time: "All the land of Egypt was famished"; "the famine was over all the face of the earth" (verses 55-56).

4. He kept them open while the famine lasted. They were never closed while a hungering applicant drew near.

· The corn held out through all the famine years.

· The places of storage were convenient (verse 48).

· There were appointed hours for distribution.

· And proper arrangements to control and regulate the crowds.

All this is far exceeded in Jesus the Antitype, in whom a fullness abides; who is ever near us; to whom we may come daily; and in whom every seeker finds a ready supply.

IV. JOSEPH OPENED THE STOREHOUSES TO ALL COMERS.

1. There was a special eye to Israel, "God sent me before you to preserve you"; but Joseph was also "a father unto Pharaoh" and the preserver of many nations.

2. It was a privilege to dwell near the granaries; but it would have been a dreadful thing if any had died within sight of them. Beware of being "hearers only." Read 2 Kings 7:19.

3. Yet many people came from far for food: "All countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn" (verse 57).

4. We read of none being sent empty away. Yet Joseph did but sell while Jesus gives without money. Will you not come to him for heavenly bread?

V. JOSEPH ACQUIRED POSSESSION OF ALL EGYPT FOR THE KING.