The Bible has a lot to say about famine throughout its pages. Famine is often presented as a consequence of sin and disobedience to God. However, God also promises to provide and care for His people even in times of famine. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical themes and passages related to famine:
Famine as Judgment for Sin
Several passages in the Old Testament depict famine as a judgment from God on nations or people groups who have turned from Him. For example:
- Deuteronomy 28:23-24 warns that failure to obey God’s commands will result in drought, crop failure, and famine.
- Jeremiah 14:11-12 describes a severe famine sent by God as punishment for Judah’s sins.
- Ezekiel 14:13 declares that famine can be one of God’s “four dreadful judgments” (along with wild beasts, war, and plague) used to punish wickedness.
- Amos 4:6 reminds Israel that God “gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town. Yet you have not returned to me.” Here famine is meant to spur repentance.
So the Bible presents famine at times as an instrument of God’s discipline and judgment on wayward nations and individuals. Obedience brings blessing and prosperity, while persistent sin leads to hardships like famine.
Examples of Famines in the Bible
The Bible records a number of significant famine events, including:
- The famine in Canaan during Abraham’s time (Genesis 12:10). Abraham and his family had to leave and live as foreigners in Egypt.
- The seven-year famine predicted by Joseph and Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41). This hit the whole region hard.
- A severe three-year famine during David’s reign over Israel (2 Samuel 21:1). This was punishment for Saul’s mistreatment of the Gibeonites.
- Several famines during the time of the kings and prophets, as warned about in 2 Chronicles 20:9, Isaiah 51:19, and Jeremiah 14:1.
- A severe famine throughout the Roman world during the time of Claudius (Acts 11:28). The church in Antioch collected offerings to help relieve famine-stricken areas in Judea.
These accounts demonstrate how common famines were in ancient times. God allowed famines for various reasons, but also provided for relief and rescue.
God’s Provision in Famine
Despite allowing famine to afflict nations and people for a time, God also promises to hear, respond, and provide when people repent and call out to Him in their distress. For example:
- Psalm 33:18-19 says God’s eye is on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
- Isaiah 41:17 promises that the poor and needy seeking water will be answered by God who “will not forsake them.”
- Ezekiel 36:29-30 declares that God will call forth the grain, multiply the fruit of the trees, and “no longer let you suffer the disgrace of famine.”
Additionally, God on several occasions miraculously provided food and relief in times of famine:
- 1 Kings 17 describes how God sustained Elijah by having ravens bring him bread and meat during a drought.
- In 2 Kings 4, the widow’s oil miraculously provided funds to pay debts and live through a famine.
- 2 Kings 7 tells of God routing the Aramean army and providing their abandoned food supplies to the besieged, famished city of Samaria.
- Perhaps most famously, Joseph’s wise planning and storing of grain for seven years saved Egypt and his family when the famine struck.
So while God may use famine to discipline, He also promises to hear His people’s pleas for help. Often He miraculously provides despite the harsh conditions.
Causes of Famine
The Bible points to a variety of factors that can trigger or contribute to famine conditions:
- Lack of rain and crop failure (1 Kings 17:1, Jeremiah 14:1-6). Drought was perhaps the most common natural cause.
- Destructive insects and plant diseases (Joel 1:1-12). Locusts, cankerworms, and caterpillars could decimate crops.
- War and siege conditions cut off food supplies (Jeremiah 14:13-18). Armies would surround cities, pillage the land, and prevent sowing and harvesting.
- Wicked rulers oppressing and failing to aid the poor (Isaiah 51:19, Ezekiel 34:1-10). Corruption and injustice prevented equitable distribution.
- Poor planning and priorities. Self-indulgence by rulers was often implicated (Amos 4:6-8, 6:4-8).
So both natural disasters and manmade policy failures contributed to the breakdown of food production and distribution systems. While famine was under God’s ultimate direction, human sinfulness and complacency clearly paved the way. Wise rulers took action to prepare for lean times.
Responses to Famine
When faced with famine, God’s people responded in several ways:
- Seeking the Lord in repentance and prayer (1 Kings 8:37-40, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14). Turning back to God was the right first step.
- Rationing food carefully until relief came (Genesis 47:13-26, Ruth 1:1). Wise household management could stretch supplies.
- Seeking emergency relief aid (Ruth 1:1, Genesis 12:10). Cooperation with neighboring lands or kin could help.
- Crying out to God for miraculous provision (Psalm 33:19, 2 Kings 4:3-6). God at times intervened to multiply food.
- Praise and trust in God’s faithfulness (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Remained confident of God’s ultimate care.
So turning to God in repentance, prudent management of resources, cooperation with others, and praising God’s sovereignty were key reactions during famine. While devastating, famine did not negate God’s power to intervene or provide.
Preparing for Famine
Because famines occurred cyclically in the Biblical world, taking measures to mitigate famine was seen as wise:
- Storing up grain supplies during good harvests (Genesis 41:28-36). Joseph gave Pharaoh wise advice to prepare.
- Avoiding waste and gluttony during abundance (Proverbs 13:23, Luke 15:13-14). Squandering plenty led to later poverty.
- Caring for the poor and needy (Psalm 41:1-3, Isaiah 58:6-11). Helping the vulnerable enhanced the community’s resilience.
- Seeking the Lord for wise guidance through His word and prophets (2 Chronicles 20:20, Amos 3:7). Godly counsel led people aright.
- Praying for good harvests and rain in due season (Jeremiah 14:1-9). Looking to God as the ultimate provider.
So the Bible commends prudence and proper stewardship, not just in general but as preparation for potential famines. Communities depended on each other and God’s aid to weather hard times.
Spiritual Lessons from Famine
Biblical passages about famine contain some key themes and lessons believers can apply:
- God’s control overprovision and natural events (Psalm 105:16, Ezekiel 14:13). Famine shows people’s dependence on Him.
- Sin and rebellion affect more than just individuals (Jeremiah 14:10-12). There is a corporate aspect to judgment.
- Compassion, generosity, and aid for the needy please God (Psalm 41:1-3, Proverbs 25:21). How we treat others matters.
- God cares about the physical needs of people, not just spiritual ones (Psalm 33:18-19, Matthew 4:4b). Bodily realities matter.
- Life’s uncertainties should drive dependence on God (Psalm 33:16-22). Famine exposes human vulnerability.
- God ultimately promises to satisfy the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:4-9, Luke 6:20-21). Hope remains no matter what.
Believers today can learn much from biblical famine accounts. They reveal the seriousness of sin, the care of God, and the call to generously serve the needy while trusting God in life’s uncertainties. Even in famine, God provides hope.
New Testament Teaching on Famine
While most of the Bible’s extensive teaching on famine comes from the Old Testament, Jesus and the apostles also addressed the topic:
- Jesus affirmed that believers should give food and drink to the needy, specifically mentioning the hungry (Matthew 25:34-40).
- In teaching believers not to worry, Jesus noted God feeds even the birds and will care for His children’s needs (Luke 12:22-24).
- The early Jerusalem church shared possessions and resources so that no one was needy, even during famine (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35).
- Paul’s relief mission to Jerusalem Christians facing famine showed the importance of meeting others’ physical needs (Romans 15:25-29, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
- James defined true religion as caring for orphans and widows in their distress–something that would apply to famine relief efforts (James 1:27).
So while famine is less emphasized in the New Testament, care for the poor and hungry remains a vital concern. Meeting physical needs displays Christ’s love.
Famine Forewarned in Revelation
The Bible’s final book, Revelation, contains several references to end times famines:
- The third seal judgment involves famine (Revelation 6:5-6). Scarcity leads to inflated prices.
- The disobedient in Revelation 16:10-11 are afflicted with sores and scorched with fire, but still cursed with famine and thirst. Their suffering does not lead to repentance.
- Babylon the Great in Revelation 18:8 will experience plague, famine and fire as judgment for her self-indulgence and idolatry.
While these symbolic passages describe coming events and judgments, they reinforce that famine remains associated with sin and its consequences. Yet Revelation ultimately promises a coming time when “they shall hunger no more” (Revelation 7:15-17).
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible contains many stories, warnings, lessons, and promises related to famine. It is often a consequence of human wickedness, but also a tool God uses to prompt repentance and dependence on Him. Ultimately God cares for the physical needs of His people and calls on Christ’s followers to likewise feed the hungry. The threat of famine exposes human vulnerability apart from God’s provision. Yet despite inevitable hardships in a fallen world, God remains sovereign and urges His people to trust in His faithfulness.