Note the contradiction in the following verses discussing the world famine in Joseph's time:
• Verse Gn41-54 states 54. And the seven years of famine began to come, according as Joseph had said;
  • and the famine was in all lands;
  • but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
• Verse Gn41-55 states
  • And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, Go to Joseph; what he said to you, do.

We see the contradiction: Which is it? Did Egypt have bread or was it famished?

Rashi resolves this contradiction using the two-stages method of resolution: Initially Egypt prepared for the Famine by gathering extra food the same way Joseph prepared for the famine. Thus initially,in the first stage, Egypt had food. But the food that Egypt gathered rotted while the food that Joseph gathered had preservatives to prevent the rotting. Hence the famine reached Egypt.

Sermonic points: We see here God's providence. God wanted Joseph to be leader of Egypt. Hence although the Egyptians followed Joseph's advice and lead they failed in harvesting food. God in effect forced them to accept Joseph's leadership. When God wishes to raise a person to greatness it is God, not man, who eliminates the competition.