Topical Encyclopedia Famine, a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often seen as a divine instrument for judgment, testing, or calling people to repentance. After the Babylonian Captivity, the Jewish people experienced several instances of famine, which are documented in the post-exilic books of the Old Testament. These instances serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commandments.1. Nehemiah's Time: During the time of Nehemiah, after the return from Babylonian exile, the people of Judah faced economic hardship and famine. Nehemiah 5:3-4 describes the situation: "Others were saying, 'We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.' Still others were saying, 'We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.'" This famine was exacerbated by the social injustices and exploitation among the people, leading Nehemiah to address these issues and restore justice and equity. 2. Haggai's Prophecy: The prophet Haggai, who ministered during the rebuilding of the Second Temple, also references a time of scarcity and famine. Haggai 1:10-11 states, "Therefore, because of you, the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands." This famine was a direct result of the people's neglect of God's house, as they prioritized their own homes over the temple, leading to divine chastisement. 3. Zechariah's Warning: The prophet Zechariah also alludes to a period of famine as a consequence of disobedience. In Zechariah 7:13-14 , the Lord declares, "When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts. I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations they had not known; thus the land was left desolate behind them, with no one coming or going. They turned a pleasant land into a desolation." Although this passage primarily reflects on past disobedience, it underscores the ongoing threat of famine as a divine response to the people's failure to heed God's commands. These instances of famine after the captivity highlight the continued reliance of the Jewish people on God's provision and the consequences of turning away from His statutes. They serve as a call to faithfulness and a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the need for repentance and obedience to avert such calamities. Torrey's Topical Textbook Nehemiah 5:3Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Questions. Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Letter xxii. To Eustochium. Letter Liii. To Paulinus. Matt. I. 17 Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia. Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome The Letter of the Church of Rome The Sin of Unbelief New Testament History and Prophecy. Resources What is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Agabus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Joseph and his brothers? | GotQuestions.org Famine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Famine in Jerusalem, from Siege Famine: A Dearth of the Means of Grace Famine: Caused by Blasting and Mildew Famine: Caused by Devastation by Enemies Famine: Caused by God's Blessing Withheld Famine: Caused by Rotting of the Seed in the Ground Famine: Caused by Swarms of Insects Famine: Caused by Want of Seasonable Rain Famine: Caused: Blackness of the Skin Famine: Caused: Burning and Fever Famine: Caused: Grief and Mourning Famine: Caused: Wasting of the Body Famine: Expressed by Cleanness of Teeth Famine: Expressed by Taking Away the Stay of Bread Famine: Expressed by The Arrows of Famine Famine: God Provided for his People During Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Day of the Judges Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Abraham Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Isaac Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Days of Joseph Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of Ahab Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of Claudius Caesar Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of David Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Time of Elisha Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Time of Jeremiah Famine: Instances of, in Scripture of Seven Years Foretold by Elisha Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: After the Captivity Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: Before Destruction of Jerusalem Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: During the Siege of Jerusalem Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: During the Siege of Samaria Famine: Often Accompanied by War Famine: Often Followed by Pestilence Famine: Often on Account of Sin Famine: One of God's Four Sore Judgments Famine: Pharaoh Forewarned of, in Dreams Famine: Provisions Sold by Weight During Famine: Righteous Delivered From Famine: Suffering of Brute Creation From Famine: The Jews in Their Restored State not to be Afflicted By Famine: Things Eaten During: Donkey's Flesh Famine: Things Eaten During: Dung Famine: Things Eaten During: Human Flesh Famine: Things Eaten During: Wild Herbs Related Terms |
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