In the biblical context, a "famine of hearing the word" refers to a period when the word of God is scarce or inaccessible to the people. This concept is primarily derived from the prophetic writings, where it is depicted as a form of divine judgment. The absence of God's word can manifest in various ways, each serving as a spiritual warning or consequence for the people's actions.

1. Prophetic Silence

One of the most direct forms of famine of hearing the word is prophetic silence. In the Old Testament, prophets served as the primary means through which God communicated with His people. When the people turned away from God, He sometimes responded by withholding prophetic revelation. Amos 8:11-12 captures this vividly: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it."

2. Lack of Understanding

Another form of famine is the inability to understand or accept the word of God, even when it is present. This can occur when the hearts of the people are hardened, and their spiritual discernment is dulled. Isaiah 6:9-10 illustrates this condition: "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

3. Corruption of the Word

A famine of hearing the word can also occur when the truth of God's word is corrupted or distorted by false teachings. In such cases, the word is present, but its power and truth are compromised. The Apostle Paul warns against this in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 : "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

4. Societal Rejection

The societal rejection of God's word can lead to a famine of hearing. When a culture collectively turns away from biblical principles, the word of God becomes marginalized, and its influence wanes. This is evident in the history of Israel, where periods of idolatry and rebellion led to a neglect of the Law and the prophets. Hosea 4:6 states, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children."

5. Personal Neglect

On an individual level, a famine of hearing the word can result from personal neglect or apathy towards Scripture. When believers fail to engage with the Bible, they experience a spiritual drought. Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in His word in John 15:7 : "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

In summary, a famine of hearing the word of God can take various forms, each serving as a reminder of the necessity of remaining faithful and attentive to God's revelation. Whether through prophetic silence, lack of understanding, corruption, societal rejection, or personal neglect, these famines highlight the critical role of Scripture in the life of believers and the community of faith.Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, said the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts xi. 19
... is twofold: a severe famine, a famine not of ... Let us set to work all the different
kinds of almsgiving. ... doing their part (in executing God's judgments upon the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv acts xi 19.htm

On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... He was not unable to produce different kinds, so neither ... He disdained to exercise
a different providence towards ... and unsearchable in Thy judgments; whose life ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm

2 Cor. I. 6, 7
... the commandments of God nor keepeth His judgments, then he ... mournings, to be visited
with famine, to have ... he refers to trials of different kinds, and especially ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ii 2 cor i.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... by departing from thy precepts and thy judgments," (Dan.9:5 ... have overlooked, that
there are two kinds of divine ... the correction of David a very different form of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... the body, [1214]444; want of, supplied by hearing, etc., [1215 ... Famine, provided against,
[1266]471 ... are not of ourselves, [1385]433; of different kinds, [1386]434 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... astronomers, astrologers, physicians, whose several kinds of skill ... times through
the alphabet in different metres ... it hath alway unto thy judgments." [1515] But ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... daily warfare, [2632]392, [2633]393; different parts of ... 2856]502; repletion worse
than famine, [2857]ib ... then taken of purity, [3170]476; Judgments mentioned in ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ...
... Pharisees, and denounces upon them the judgments of heaven ... of using or abstaining
from particular kinds of food ... is the central object, and the different parts of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxiv general principles of.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... of the Son of {37} God, and hearing shall live ... the three scourges, war, pestilence,
and famine, or what ... It should be observed that the different kinds of human ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Of Civil Government.
... with blood, but the kinds of death are different. ... venally prostitute all rights,
privileges, judgments, and enactments ... most admirably to all kinds of restraint ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

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