THE WAY OUT OF FAMINE
There are thirteen incidents of famine recorded in the scriptures. These are the famines in Canaan in Abraham’s days
(Genesis 12:10), in Isaac’s days (Genesis 26:1), in Jacob’s time (Genesis 41:54-57), during the period of the judges (Ruth
1:1), in David’s reign (2 Samuel 21:1), in Elijah’s time (1 Kings 17:1), in Elisha’s time (2 Kings 4:38; 8:1) and in
Nehemiah’s time (Nehemiah 5:3). There were also famines in Samaria in Elisha’s time (2 Kings 6:25), in Jerusalem in
Zedekiah’s reign (2 Kings 25:3; Jeremiah 14), in an unknown land as depicted in Christ’s parable of the prodigal son (or
rather the parable of the loving father) (Luke 15:14) and in the Roman Empire of Paul’s time (Acts 11:28). A detailed
study of all these famines bring out some salient points and lessons that can see us out of any famine whatsoever. These
are times of global recession, economic austerity and the famine of both physical and spiritual blessings. The divine
insights that we glean can tide us over in these challenging times.
RAVAGES OF FAMINES
Genesis 12:10-20; 26:1-3,6; Ruth 1:1-5; 2 Kings 6:25-30; 4:1-7; Proverbs 30:7-9; Nehemiah 5:3-13; Acts 11:28-30;
Even in the mildest of famines, the consequences are anything but palatable. No famine is ever a pleasant experience.
Famines are always devastating, destructive and decimating. The harrowing effects of famine can lead to several things as
well as deviant behaviour:
(1) It can make a person to leave the place of God’s appointment (Genesis 12:10-20; 26:1-3,6; Ruth 1:1-5)
(2) It can start a chain of events that leads to compromise in language, lifestyle, marriage, business etc. (Genesis 12:10-
20; Ruth 1:1-5)
(3) It can lead to loss of spiritual faith and integrity and descent into heinous sins (2 Kings 6:25-30; Proverbs 30:7-9)
When relief however little is late in coming during times of famine (Acts 11:28-30), unimaginable things can happen (2
Kings 6:25-33).
(4) It can lead to loss of ALL personal possession as well as the loss of individual and family freedom (Nehemiah 5:3-13)
Famine can make a person to go into bondage. He sells his freedom and that of his family for the sake of survival (2
Kings 4:1-7).
REVELATION OF THE FATHER
Genesis 25:22,23; 2 Samuel 21:1-4; Joshua 7:6-26; 9:14; Judges 6:13; 1:1,2; 20:23; Amos 3:7; Daniel 2:18,19; John
15:15; 2 Kings 8:1; 2 Chronicles 7:13-15; Acts 11:28.
When we are passing through situations we do not understand, it is our privilege to ask God for revelation, insight and
explanation (Genesis 25:22,23; 2 Samuel 21:1-4; Joshua 7:6-26; Judges 6:13). We can ask counsel at the mouth of the
Lord before taking any decision or making any move (Joshua 9:14; Judges 1:1,2; 20:23).
Rather than take any rash decision like Elimelech (Ruth 1:1-5) or make any costly move like Isaac would have done
(Genesis 26:1-3,6,12), we ought to let God reveal to us the reason for the famine and what to do. There is a way out of
every famine. Divine revelation points to four main causes of famines:
(1) Famine that is a result of a curse upon an individual or community (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
(2) Famine that is a result of divine discipline and judgement upon a backslidden people (Ruth 1:1-5; Habakkuk 3:17-19)
(3) Famine that occurs because of individual or communal laziness or refusal to work (Proverbs 13:4; 10:4,5; 2
Thessalonians 3:10-12)
(4) Famine that is a result of global recession and economic downturn (Acts 11:28-30).
There is no famine that God does not know about (2 Kings 8:1; 2 Chronicles 7:13-15; Acts 11:28). He has the secret to
everything and if we ask Him, He will tell us (Amos 3:7; Daniel 2:18,19; John 15:15).
ROLE OF FAMINES
Genesis 12:10-20; 26:1-6,12; Ruth 1:1-5; 2 Samuel 21:1-14; Luke 15:11-24; 2 Kings 6:25-30; Acts 11:28-30; 2
Corinthians 8:1-5
As devastating as famines are, there can be benefits from them if they are rightly handled. We can highlight some basic
advantages that we can derive from famines:
(1) It can hasten the return of the backslider to God (cf. 1 Kings 17:1; with 1 Kings 18:1,37-39)
(2) It can cause us to seek God in order to discover our true spiritual condition and position (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
(3) It can reveal the level of our confidence in God and the strength of our dependence upon Him to supply our need
(Genesis 12:10-20; 26:1-6,12; Ruth 1:1-5)
(4) It gives us the opportunity to give and be generous (Acts 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
(5) It can make us wiser in handling resources that aforetime would have been frittered away (Luke 15:11-24; 2 Kings
6:25-30)
(6) It gives us a better estimate and appreciation of the provision of the Lord which many times we take for granted
(Psalm 103:1-5).