Famine And Drought
Famine And Drought [1]
Causes of Famine. Drought was the most common cause of famines mentioned in the Bible. Drought caused famines in the time of Abraham ( Genesis 12:10 ), Isaac ( Genesis 26:1 ), Joseph ( Genesis 41:27 ), and the judges ( Ruth 1:1 ). Drought and famine also plagued the Israelites in the days of David ( 2 Samuel 21:1 ), Elijah ( 1 Kings 18:2 ), Elisha ( 2 Kings 4:38 ), Haggai ( Haggai 1:11 ), and Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 5:3 ). At times the coming of droughts and famines was predicted by prophets ( 2 Kings 8:1; Isaiah 3:1; Jeremiah 14:12; Acts 11:28 ). Other natural forces also caused famines: locusts, wind, hail, and mildew ( Joel 1:4; Amos 4:9; Haggai 2:17 ). The Israelites also experienced famines caused by enemies. Occasionally oppressors destroyed or confiscated food ( Deuteronomy 28:33 ,Deuteronomy 28:33, 28:51; Isaiah 1:7 ). The siege of cities also resulted in famine, such as the siege of Samaria by Ben-hadad ( 2 Kings 6:24-25 ) and the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar ( 2 Kings 25:2-3 ).
The famines which Israel experienced were often severe, some lasting for years ( Genesis 12:10; Genesis 41:27; Jeremiah 14:1-6 ). During famines, starving people resorted to eating such things as wild vines, heads of animals, garbage, dung, and even human flesh ( 2 Kings 4:39; 2Kings 6:25, 2 Kings 6:28; Lamentations 4:4-10 ).
Famine and Drought as the Judgment of God God created the world as a good environment which would normally provide ample water and food for mankind ( Genesis 1:1 ). However, the productiveness of the earth is related to people's obedience to God. For example, the sins of Adam, Eve, and Cain resulted in unfruitfulness of the earth ( Genesis 3:17-18; Genesis 4:12 ). Israel's relationship with God also directly affected the fertility of the Promised Land. When the people obeyed God, the land was productive ( Deuteronomy 11:11-14 ). However, when they disobeyed, judgment came on the land by drought and famine ( Leviticus 26:23-26; Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 1 Kings 8:35 ). Furthermore, the New Testament reports that famine will be a part of God's coming judgment of the earth in the last days ( Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:8 ).
While the Bible states that some famines and droughts are the judgment of God ( 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 8:1; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 5:12; Amos 4:6 ), not all such disasters are connected to divine punishment ( Genesis 12:10; Genesis 26:1; Ruth 1:1; Acts 11:28 ). When God did send drought and famine on His people, it was for the purpose of bringing them to repentance ( 1 Kings 8:35-36; Hosea 2:8-23; Amos 4:6-8 ). Moreover, the Old Testament contains promises that God will protect His faithful ones in times of famine ( Job 5:20 ,Job 5:20, 5:22; Psalm 33:18-19; Psalm 37:18-19; Proverbs 10:3 ). See Ben-Hadad; Jerusalem; Nebuchadnezzar; Samaria; Water .
Bob R. Ellis
