For decades America has been a giving nation.
The tragedy in Asia has brought out an outpouring of generous relief unprecedented in scale and scope. Upwards of $2 billion in direct donations was pledged or given to help 5 million people displaced by the earthquake and tsunami.
In early January U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell paid a visit to the devastated area of Indonesia. Commenting on the catastrophe, Powell said he hopes the Muslim world, so alienated from America over the Iraq war, will be able to see "American generosity, American values in action."
What motivates this generosity? For decades America has been a giving nation. The Marshall Plan rebuilt a shattered and defeated Europe after World War II. For years American foreign aid has funneled money, food and technology into many countries. Out of its bounty, America has been a breadbasket for much of the world in times of crisis.
But the story of America began with the biblical patriarch Joseph. In Genesis 41 the story is told of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream, which foretold seven years' famine in Egypt after seven years of plenty. Pharaoh made Joseph his prime minister, in charge of storing grain and preparing the nation for the coming famine.
When the famine struck, the Egyptians and nations were instructed to go to Joseph for food. Notice, "So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.'... So all the countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands" (Genesis 41:55-57).
The true story of how this applies to America and Great Britain today is told in our free booklet The United States and Britain in BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). . This will take you through the biblical and historical information that convincingly shows the link between the descendants of Joseph and our modern English-speaking nations.
Today the world still comes to Joseph. It was American ships, helicopters and troops that were among the first to provide aid and comfort for tsunami victims. One army helicopter pilot said the day's work he did delivering aid to the destitute of Banda Aceh was the "best day of my life." WNP
