Joseph and his taskforce members were pleased to be home. Egypt's agricultural areas had been traversed and documented. Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph’s analyses. The Royal builders were commissioned to build granaries in each city in the South. Joseph appointed a team to coordinate the overall strategy. Time was not on their side. They only had seven years to build all the granaries and storehouses. The task of feeding a huge workforce would be a mammoth exercise. The full resources of Egypt were swung into operation. Joseph ordered the army to supervise the huge labour force.
Joseph was pleased that the time away from Asenath was over. He was happy to be home again. He and Asenath had a lot of catching up to do. He would stay in Zoan until it was time to inspect the granaries in the Delta region.
Asenath had been busy with Queen Nefterin; she was now adept in royal protocols. Queen Nefterin was happy with Asenath’s progress. Asenath was also pleased at her own progress.
Indications for the harvest this year was very favourable. The harvest for the first of the seven good years was the best in living memory. Joseph ordered one fifth of the harvest throughout Egypt to be stored in existing granaries, either private or government. Some of these granaries were filled to overflowing. Joseph therefore stepped up the building program. If the first year’s harvest was indicative of what was to follow in succeeding years; even more granaries would be needed.
Some of his original task force were kept on, to give constant updates on building progress. Joseph stayed in Zoan to oversee all the building projects.
Asenath was happy; Joseph was home with her each night. She often had his company at midday meal time, but he was so busy! The normal affairs of State had to be seen to, as well as the building program. Official functions, visiting ambassadors, and envoys from other lands also had to be attended to.
It was a very prosperous year for Egypt. The people rejoiced! One fifth of the harvest was stored in the State granaries. Pharaoh’s army was on hand to ensure it happened. Huge crops were planted for the second year.
The second year’s harvest was even more amazing! Some of the new granaries in the Delta were ready. They were needed, as the harvest filled the existing granaries and overflowed into the new granaries. Joseph was happy, but, he knew when the famine arrived it would be extremely severe. He purchased all the surplus grain he could find and stored that also.
New irrigation canals were dug, so more land could be cultivated, and planted with seed. Some of the new granaries in the Southern cities were brought into commission. Joseph kept the Royal builders on a demanding schedule; all the new granaries would be required. Plans were drawn up for additional granaries, they might be needed. No one had ever seen such abundant harvests.
Joseph and Asenath were very happy together, they were hoping to start a family. God was blessing them abundantly in their lives. Asenath came to have a deep respect for Joseph’s God. Joseph often reflected on the goodness and sovereignty of God; how God had taken a shepherd lad and placed him in such a high station in life.
Asenath was keen to have a child; she wanted a male child for Joseph’s sake. How happy she was when she realised she was expecting a baby.
“Joseph, I am with child! I hope the baby is a male child for your sake.”
“Asenath, this is really good news!” Joseph was overjoyed.
The months passed swiftly. Asenath was nearing the end of her confinement. Egypt waited expectantly. The Grand Vizier would soon be a proud father. The Royal midwives were on standby.
Asenath began to feel hard, painful contractions, the baby was moving down. The midwives took over to help with the delivery of the baby. Asenath’s labour was painful and intense. ‘How long can this go on?’ Many hours later it was over; Asenath had a baby boy! Asenath was very tired; it had been a long labour. Her newborn son was put in her arms. She felt a surge of affection for her child. Joseph would be so pleased.
Joseph was informed immediately. He was exultant! They had a son! The happy news was conveyed to Pharaoh. Pharaoh was pleased for Joseph. The baby’s arrival was proclaimed throughout Zoan. Messengers were sent throughout Egypt proclaiming the news.
“The Grand Vizier has a son.”
Joseph decided to name their son Manasseh, because God had caused him to forget all the years of hard toil, and his family in Canaan. Joseph and Asenath were extremely happy. They lavished their love and attention on their baby son.
The second good year was nearly over.
The third good year was upon them. Again the harvest was huge. Joseph continued to store as much grain as possible in the granaries. No one had ever seen such abundance before.
The Royal builders were finding it difficult to build granaries fast enough. Egypt was experiencing a period of tremendous wealth and prosperity. Times were good. There was plenty to eat and drink. People were enjoying these times of abundance.
Joseph and Asenath were captivated by their little son. As the year went on they watched him grow; and were fascinated as he began to take more interest in the things around him.
The fourth year of Pharaoh’s dream was upon them. The land yielded an abundant harvest again. Manasseh was a toddler now and very much the centre of Asenath’s attention. She was excited when she found she was expecting another baby.
Joseph was happy with the news. Asenath went into confinement again. Towards the end of the year Asenath’s time drew near. Again the royal midwives were summonsed. Asenath’s labour this time was shorter. Another boy! Asenath was so happy; a little brother for Manasseh.
Joseph was thrilled. The news was proclaimed throughout Egypt. Joseph named their new baby Ephraim, because God had prospered Joseph in the land of his adversities. Joseph was thankful for another son and Manasseh was pleased to have a baby brother. Asenath was really happy with her family. Joseph and Asenath were delighted with their two boys. Manasseh and Ephraim gave them countless hours of pleasure. Joseph felt good; having a family of his own brought so much joy in his life. It helped him forget the years of hard labour as a slave.
The fourth good year yielded a tremendous harvest. Joseph stopped counting the amount of grain, it was pointless. He just stored the grain in the granaries, but more granaries were needed. More men were assigned to build them.
The fifth year came and went. Again, the harvest was huge. Joseph continued to store as much grain as he could in the granaries. Two more good years, and then the famine would come. Joseph hoped they would have enough storage capacity. They only had two years left to build enough granaries.
Manasseh and Ephraim were at the delightful stage of running around and causing problems with their enthusiasm and curiosity.
Asenath planned a trip to On to see her parents. Joseph was too busy to leave what he was doing. A Royal boat would take her, her sons and her maidens to On. Two squads of soldiers would accompany them.
Potipherah and Asenaken were pleased to see them. They did not get much opportunity to catch up with Asenath and their little grandsons. It was a nice change for Asenath from official duties at the Palace. Asenath was happy to be home in On. She could rest and spend time with her mother. Her parents were enjoying Manasseh and Ephraim; however Asenath missed Joseph.
Joseph, meanwhile, spent the time reviewing the building program. 'Will we have enough storage? Two more years and then the famine commences.' The year moved inexorably on.
The sixth year came, another abundant harvest. Joseph had grain piled up in granaries, in every Egyptian city; from one end of Egypt to the other. Plus, what the Egyptian people had stockpiled privately. Joseph was very aware that they had one more year before the famine commenced.
The seventh year’s harvest was tremendous! The granaries were at bursting point. Joseph and Pharaoh were pleased with what they had achieved. They had huge amounts of grain stored in the cities and large towns along the great river. No more could be done! The good years were over. Joseph hoped the grain that was s