What does Genesis 41:55 mean?
Apparently, Joseph did not begin distributing the stored grain (Genesis 41:33–36) immediately after the famine hit. He waited for the people to begin to ask for help from the Egyptian government. At some point, the people crossed a point from being low on grain to the point of being "famished." That's when they cried out to their king, who went by the title of "Pharaoh," and he directed them to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them to do (Genesis 41:44).A common pattern in Joseph's life is the success he brings those who trust him with their powers (Genesis 39:2–6; 20–23). Here, again, Joseph does not merely do well with his master's resources. He leverages them to create the maximum possible benefit (Genesis 47:13–26). Pharaoh's confidence in Joseph was about to yield rescue for the people, and awesome results for his own wealth and political power (Genesis 41:56).