Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, famine is frequently depicted as a divine instrument of judgment against wickedness and disobedience. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where famine serves as a consequence of sin, reflecting God's righteous anger and the moral order He upholds.
Old Testament Instances1.
The Famine in the Time of Abraham: In
Genesis 12:10, a severe famine strikes the land, prompting Abram to go down to Egypt. While the text does not explicitly link this famine to wickedness, it sets a precedent for understanding famine as a significant event in the biblical narrative, often associated with divine intervention.
2.
The Famine in the Days of Joseph:
Genesis 41 recounts the seven-year famine that affected Egypt and the surrounding regions. Although this famine was part of God's plan to elevate Joseph and preserve His people, it also served as a backdrop for the testing and eventual reconciliation of Joseph's brothers, who had acted wickedly against him.
3.
The Famine During the Reign of David: In
2 Samuel 21:1, a three-year famine occurs during David's reign, attributed to Saul's bloodguilt against the Gibeonites. This famine is directly linked to the sin of Saul, demonstrating how the consequences of wickedness can manifest in the form of famine.
4.
The Famine in the Time of Elijah: In
1 Kings 17:1, Elijah proclaims a drought as a judgment against the idolatry and wickedness of King Ahab and the people of Israel. This famine underscores the connection between national sin and divine retribution, as the land suffers due to the people's unfaithfulness.
5.
The Siege and Famine in Samaria:
2 Kings 6:24-29 describes a severe famine in Samaria during the Aramean siege. The famine is so dire that it leads to acts of desperation and cannibalism. This event highlights the extreme consequences of persistent wickedness and the rejection of God's covenant.
Prophetic Warnings and FulfillmentThe prophets frequently warned of famine as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. In
Leviticus 26:19-20, God warns that disobedience will lead to the heavens being like iron and the earth like bronze, resulting in failed harvests. Similarly, in
Deuteronomy 28:23-24, the curses for disobedience include drought and famine.
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of famine as a tool of divine judgment in
Jeremiah 14:12, where God declares, "Although they fast, I will not hear their cry, and although they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague."
Ezekiel also prophesies about famine as a punishment for sin. In
Ezekiel 5:16-17, God says, "When I send against you the deadly arrows of famine to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread."
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not emphasize famine as a direct punishment for wickedness in the same manner as the Old Testament, it acknowledges famine as part of the trials and tribulations in a fallen world. In
Matthew 24:7, Jesus mentions famine as one of the signs of the end times, indicating its continued role in the divine economy.
Theological ImplicationsFamine as a punishment for wickedness underscores the biblical theme of divine justice. It serves as a tangible reminder of the consequences of sin and the necessity of repentance. The use of famine in the biblical narrative reflects God's sovereignty over creation and His commitment to righteousness, calling His people to faithfulness and obedience.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 26:19,20,26,29And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
Torrey's Topical TextbookPsalm 107:34
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
At this Time, He Knew in a Guilty Way Bersabe...
Life and Writings of Sulpitius Severus. ... general called Sab??a, who had stirred up
all the wicked to arms ... to him to reveal to him a threefold punishment, and to ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxviii at this time.htm
The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... weighing out the necessities of life at famine ... day of judgment to be punished." Wicked
human beings ... sinned, though, of course, eternal punishment awaits them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm
Jeremiah
... sons had fallen in battle, Eli himself had lost his life, the ark ... services of the
temple would preserve them from a just punishment for their wicked course ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm
The Antiquities of the Jews
... Both Joram And Ahaziah; As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... To
Die; And How God Bestowed Upon Him Fifteen Years Longer Life, [And Secured ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/
Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... fruitful land of Goshen, which was exactly suited to the life of shepherds ... how little
importance God attaches to human glory in his punishment of the wicked. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm
How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... and the servant of Elijah all the days of his life. ... perish, because he had been so
insolently wicked, and had ... was living he would put off the punishment of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm
Justinus' Triad of Principles; his Angelography Founded on this ...
... trees of this garden, and the tree of life is the ... angel, Naas, that by every species
of punishment she might ... and might avoid Edem and the wicked fiction, just ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxi justinus triad of principles.htm
Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... punishments and all manner of unhappiness encumbereth their wicked life. ... Now,
ver.2, behold the punishment of our ... God, when men praise the wicked, change their ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm
Elijah the Tishbite
... and of his prophecy of swift-coming punishment, quickly spread ... to the One to whom
they owed their life and all ... I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm
The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... If it might semi an extravagant belief in the mouth of a Jew that, admitted to the
life beyond the ... With regard to the punishment of the wicked, the seer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm
Resources
What is the biblical punishment for adultery? | GotQuestions.orgAre there different levels of punishment in hell? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about corporal punishment as practiced by governments? | GotQuestions.orgPunishment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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