What Does Famine Mean in the Bible?
Famine is a term used to describe a time when people go hungry and die. In the Bible, famine was a serious problem for many nations and God’s power to end it is absolute. He used famine as an opportunity to teach us to repent.
Revelation’s 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Revelation’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypses are religious figures that first appear in the Book of Revelation, a book written by the Christian writer John of Patmos. This book warns of the end times and the impending doom of mankind. These religious figures have inspired countless people to study Revelation and consider its implications.
The book of Revelation is renowned for its highly symbolic descriptions of the end times. In chapter five, the author, John, receives a vision corresponding to the opening of a scroll. The first four seals release the Four Horsemen, representing the world leader, war, famine, and destruction. The fifth seal reveals the prayers of the martyrs. The sixth seal unleashes a devastating natural disaster. During this time, people around the world confess that they are suffering under God’s wrath.
Throughout history, people have faced the scourge of famine and its consequences. It has claimed millions of lives over the centuries. This horseman is the rider of a black horse.
Egypt’s famine
In Genesis 41, the Bible records a global catastrophe, but the catastrophe was not caused by a flood or fire. Instead, it was caused by drought. This is in line with paleoclimatic data that shows desertification was creeping across India, Saudi Arabia, and northern Africa at the time. As a result, all of these countries were dependent on grain from Egypt.
While Egypt went through a famine, a person named Joseph stepped up and ran the country. He was so powerful, he even became Pharaoh’s regent. Despite the fact that his story is not directly from the Bible, the parallels are intriguing.
The famine swept through Egypt, even into the land of Canaan. Jacob ran out of food, and when he heard that Egypt had grain for sale, he sent his ten sons to buy it. He kept Benjamin, his youngest son, back in Canaan. These ten men traveled to Egypt, unaware of the hard times that would lay ahead of them.
Samaria’s famine
The Biblical account of Samaria’s famine describes the desperate situation of the people who were left there during the famine. The Syrian army was besieging the city and causing famine in the region. The food supply was so low that a donkey’s head sold for 80 shekels of silver and a kab of dove droppings sold for five shekels. The people were unable to feed themselves, and the lepers were forced to turn to their fellow citizens and beg for mercy.
A prophet named Elisha appeared in Samaria during the famine, telling the people that G-d would make the situation better for them. He predicted that the deplorable conditions would be reversed in 24 hours. The next day, the food supply would be plentiful and prices would be reasonable. Barley and fine wheat flour would be sold for a few shekels, and people would once again eat.
But even with these assurances, the king’s officer doubted the prophet’s ability to bring supplies. He did not understand how God could bring food during a siege. The king’s right-hand man did not believe that a miracle was possible. He even warned Elisha’s captain not to eat the food given to him by the Lord.
Suffering as an opportunity for repentance
Repentance is a divinely wrought act by which God uses His Spirit, His Word, and His people to transform our hearts and minds. Repentance is difficult for many of us, but God has chosen specific means to achieve His end. He uses people like Nathan and the Word of God to convict us of our sins and to lead us to repentance. Today, it is much easier to talk about our sins and to seek forgiveness.
The Bible is very clear that our decision to repent is an absolute necessity to salvation. Suffering, even when it is unpleasant, can be an opportunity to repent. It can lead us to seek forgiveness and find our place in God’s kingdom. When we are unable to make such a choice, we have no choice but to reject God’s grace.
Suffering can also produce more fruit in our lives. It produces character, endurance, hope, and a willingness to help others. Suffering also teaches us to be sensitive to others’ needs, which is especially important in the church. It is the church’s job to care for the hurting and the weak. It is also our duty to carry each other’s burdens.