RUSSIA - 200,000 Tons of Grain to African Countries

Arno's Commentary

The six largest wheat exporters in the world are Russia, Australia, USA, Canada, Ukraine, and France. When it comes to wheat producing countries, China is on top, followed by the European Union, India, Russia, USA, and Canada. Wheat supplies are lacking in many African countries, in most cases due to lack of mechanized agricultural practices and sufficient precipitation, as well as governmental mismanagement. 

Quite naturally, Russia is taking the opportunity to seal friendship with more African nations, particularly due to the many restrictions and sanctions placed on it by Western countries in response to their invasion of Ukraine. Not only Russia, but also the rest of the world is “playing politics.”

This reminds us of Joseph the Hebrew, who was sold by his own brothers to the Midianites and ended up a slave in Egypt. While in prison, he correctly interpreted two important dreams. After Joseph was forgotten in prison for two years, we read in Genesis 41 of Pharaoh’s dream. Correctly interpreting the meaning, Joseph laid out the following: “Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass” (Genesis 41:29-32).

When reading the entire story, we see the true spirit of Joseph. He did not accuse his brethren, but while in prison, he testifies: “For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon” (Genesis 40:15). Note, he did not say, “I was sold by my brothers,” but, “I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews.” He was taking the guilt of his brothers upon himself.

Based on the Orthodox Union website, the Exodus from Egypt took place approximately 890 years before the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 421 BC. Bible history documents the success of Israel’s agriculture, which during those days was based on Israel’s obedience: “For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven” (Deuteronomy 11:10-11).

Today—around 2,500 years later, in the same geographic area—Israel produces approximately 95% of their own food. We must also mention that Israel is at the forefront when it comes to agriculture related new technology, despite being a country with low precipitation. For the future, the prophet Joel proclaims: “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23).