Topical Bible: Famine: Often Long Continued

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Famine, a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often serving as a divine instrument for judgment, testing, or deliverance. The Bible records several instances of prolonged famines, each with significant theological and historical implications.

Biblical Instances of Prolonged Famine

1. Famine in the Days of Abraham: The first recorded famine in the Bible occurs during the time of Abraham. Genesis 12:10 states, "Now there was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while, because the famine was severe." This famine prompted Abram to seek refuge in Egypt, setting the stage for future interactions between the Israelites and Egypt.

2. Famine in the Time of Isaac: Another famine occurred during Isaac's life, distinct from the one in Abraham's time. Genesis 26:1 notes, "Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in the days of Abraham." Isaac was instructed by God not to go to Egypt but to stay in Gerar, where God reaffirmed His covenant with him.

3. Joseph and the Egyptian Famine: Perhaps the most famous biblical famine is the one during Joseph's time, lasting seven years. Genesis 41:54-57 describes how "the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food." Joseph's God-given wisdom in storing grain during the seven years of plenty saved Egypt and surrounding nations, including his own family, from starvation.

4. Famine in the Time of David: A three-year famine occurred during King David's reign, as recorded in 2 Samuel 21:1: "During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD." This famine was attributed to Saul's bloodguilt against the Gibeonites, and it was resolved through David's actions to make amends.

5. Famine in the Time of Elisha: In 2 Kings 6:25, a severe famine besieged Samaria, leading to desperate conditions. The famine was so severe that "there was a great famine in Samaria, and they besieged it until a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver." This famine was part of the broader conflict with the Arameans and demonstrated God's power through the prophet Elisha.

6. Famine in the Time of Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a prolonged famine as part of the judgment on Judah. Jeremiah 14:1-2 states, "This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: 'Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.'" This famine was a consequence of the people's persistent disobedience and idolatry.

Theological Significance

In the biblical narrative, famines often serve as a backdrop for God's providence and sovereignty. They are used to test faith, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs, and to bring about repentance and reliance on God. Famines also highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of sin. Through these prolonged periods of scarcity, the Bible illustrates God's ability to provide and deliver His people, often using unexpected means and individuals to fulfill His purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 41:27
And the seven thin and ill favored cows that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 8:1,2
Then spoke Elisha to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn: for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall also come on the land seven years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sixteenth Lesson. Speedily, Though Bearing Long;'
... know to wait with patience for the fruit we long for"O ... Often I was inclined to retire
in despair. ... it was just for such times of leanness and famine that the ...
/.../sixteenth lesson speedily though bearing.htm

The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... the long years of drought and famine, Elijah prayed ... the royal court the effect of
the long-continued drought was ... The smooth sermons so often preached make no ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... usual lack of foresight in the Egyptian, they were often consumed long before the ...
their very humble request: "We are come, urged by famine, urged by ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

Chapter xlvii
... under Egypt's dominion, as happened so often both before ... us feel how very severe
the famine was; it is ... so rapidly as complete support by relief long continued. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting...
... treatment which he did not deserve; or famine, or pestilence ... all was, that having
been so long in such ... In the world, a person often rejoices, on beholding an ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xviii the former subject.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries.
... be the cause of great calamities"famine, pestilence, and ... Their punishment was often
made the chief entertainment ... Thus, as long as persecution continued, the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /2 persecution in the first.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries
... be the cause of great calamities"famine, pestilence, and ... Their punishment was often
made the chief entertainment ... Thus, as long as persecution continued, the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 2 persecution in the.htm

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness ... Anti-Christ will
come, and the long-expected angel ... I have often noticed that when God intends ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

Prolegomena.
... destroying property and stores of corn, famine was feared ... Gregory himself often speaks
of the signs of ... year, that he began a long continued correspondence with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/prolegomena.htm

Book 20 Footnotes
... Of this famine also, and queen Helena's supplies, and ... than those Annas and Caiaphas
so often mentioned in ... for about twenty-three years, which long duration of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 20 footnotes.htm