Topical Bible: Famine: Often Accompanied by War

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Famine, a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger, is a recurring theme in the Bible and is frequently associated with war and conflict. Throughout the Scriptures, famine is depicted not only as a natural disaster but also as a divine instrument of judgment and a catalyst for significant historical and spiritual events.

Biblical Instances of Famine and War

1. Abraham and Isaac: In Genesis, famine drives Abraham to Egypt (Genesis 12:10) and later compels Isaac to move to Gerar (Genesis 26:1). These migrations occur amidst tensions with local rulers, highlighting the interplay between famine and conflict.

2. Joseph and Egypt: The account of Joseph in Genesis 41-47 illustrates a prolonged famine that affects Egypt and Canaan. Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is precipitated by his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, which foretell seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. This famine leads to the centralization of power in Egypt and the eventual migration of Jacob's family, setting the stage for future enslavement and the Exodus.

3. The Judges and Kings: During the period of the Judges, famines often coincide with invasions and oppression by foreign powers, such as the Midianites (Judges 6:1-6). In the time of the kings, famines are frequently linked to warfare and divine judgment. For instance, during King David's reign, a three-year famine is attributed to Saul's bloodshed against the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1).

4. Elijah and Ahab: In 1 Kings 17-18, the prophet Elijah declares a drought and subsequent famine as a judgment against King Ahab and Israel for their idolatry. This famine occurs during a period of intense conflict between the prophets of Baal and the prophet of Yahweh, culminating in the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel.

5. Sieges and Famine: The Bible records several instances where sieges lead to famine, such as the siege of Samaria by the Arameans (2 Kings 6:24-29) and the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-3). These events underscore the devastating impact of war on food supply and the desperation that ensues.

6. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets frequently warn of famine as a consequence of national sin and impending war. Jeremiah, for example, speaks of sword, famine, and pestilence as instruments of divine judgment (Jeremiah 14:12; 24:10). Ezekiel also prophesies about famine as part of God's judgment on Jerusalem (Ezekiel 5:12).

7. New Testament References: In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of famines as part of the "beginning of birth pains" in the eschatological discourse (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). The Book of Revelation describes famine as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, symbolizing the widespread suffering that accompanies the end times (Revelation 6:5-6).

Theological Implications

Famine in the Bible is often portrayed as a consequence of human sin and disobedience, serving as a call to repentance and reliance on God's provision. It is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the sovereignty of God over creation. The association of famine with war underscores the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual realities, where human conflict and divine judgment intersect.

Throughout Scripture, God uses famine to fulfill His purposes, whether in testing faith, refining character, or advancing His redemptive plan. The biblical narrative consistently points to God's ultimate control over the forces of nature and history, offering hope and restoration to those who turn to Him in times of crisis.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 14:15
Therefore thus said the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 29:18
And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations where I have driven them:
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Library

The Holy War,
... and got possession, it is described as being accompanied by all ... to him; which was
even until by a war it was ... them secure, he said, and said it often, O Mansoul ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Concerning the Seditions at Jerusalem and what Terrible Miseries ...
... to come into that court, were yet often destroyed by ... were taken by the means of the
famine, which it ... him those three legions that had accompanied his father ...
/.../chapter 1 concerning the seditions.htm

Troubles in Paris
... seventy-three mounted his horse and, accompanied only by ... that he witnessed, the horrors
of famine and of ... abnegation they had undertaken, had often good reason ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 10 troubles in paris.htm

Cambyses.
... wealth and high station; he had often been at ... his last fatal expedition, and who
accompanied Cambyses on ... finally, in the extremity of their famine, they began ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... Death is accompanied by Hades: the former seizing the ... In addition to the horrors
of war, famine, and wild ... Hitherto they were more often found at Race-meetings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

From his Return to England in 1824, to the Commencement of his ...
... preparing in our hearts for utterance may often be delivered ... as they did twelve months
before, a season of spiritual famine. ... JS Mollet accompanied us to Pyrmont ...
/.../chapter v from his return.htm

Acts xx. 32
... And they accompanied them," it ... 10, 11.) He who formerly had declared about the famine,
the same ... xix.31): often they bore him off (from dangers), and he complied ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlv acts xx 32.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... these abominable tyrants, that they often evinced feelings ... the usual solemnities,
and the famine soon after ... this undertaking by an earthquake, accompanied by a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... But here a worse fate accompanied these than what ... direct occasion of that terrible
famine, which consumed ... derision of Christ's threatening so often made, that ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... Such an internecine war often caused the downfall of a ... Lagash appears to have been
accompanied by troubles ... every emergency, except that of treason or famine. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm