Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4823 famine, physical

4823 famine, physical

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4800 Natural and supernatural phenomena » 4822 famine » 4823 famine, physical

A serious shortage of food caused by drought, war or natural disasters. Famine is seen as a sign of God's judgment on Israel.

Examples of famines

In the days of Abraham

Genesis 12:10 See also Genesis 26:1

In the days of Joseph

Genesis 41:53-57; Acts 7:11

In the days of Ruth

Ruth 1:1

In the days of David

2 Samuel 21:1

In the days of Elijah

1 Kings 18:1-5; Luke 4:25

In the days of Elisha

2 Kings 4:38; Kings 6:25

In the days of the prophets

Isaiah 51:19; Jeremiah 44:13; Ezekiel 7:15; Joel 1:10-12

In the days of Claudius

Acts 11:28

In the last days

Matthew 24:7 pp Mark 13:8 pp Luke 21:11

Natural causes of famine

See also

Deuteronomy 28:22 crop disease

Drought:

1 Kings 18:1-2; Jeremiah 14:1-6

War:

2 Kings 6:24-25; Kings 25:1-3 Joel 1:4 locusts

Spiritual causes of famine

The disobedience of God's people

Deuteronomy 28:15-18 See also Deuteronomy 28:22-24,38-40,42,51,53; Deuteronomy 32:24; Judges 6:1-5; 2 Samuel 21:1; Samuel 24:13 pp 1 Chronicles 21:11-12; Isaiah 51:19-20; Jeremiah 5:17; Jeremiah 11:22; Jeremiah 14:11-18; Jeremiah 18:21; Jeremiah 29:17-18; Jeremiah 32:24; Ezekiel 5:16-17; Ezekiel 6:11-12; Ezekiel 14:13

God's judgment on the ungodly

Genesis 41:28-30; Isaiah 14:29-30; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 18:8

The effects of famine

Desperation and death

Lamentations 4:9 See also Genesis 47:13,20; Deuteronomy 28:53; 2 Kings 7:3-4; Nehemiah 5:3; Jeremiah 52:6; Luke 15:14-16; Luke 23:28-29

God's people seek him and return to him

God's provision in famine

He gives warnings beforehand

Genesis 41:25-27; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 8:1; Acts 11:28

He gives wisdom to men

Genesis 41:33-36; Genesis 42:1-2; Genesis 45:11; Genesis 47:4; Psalm 105:16-22; Acts 7:10-11

He provides for his people

Job 5:20 See also Genesis 26:1-3; 1 Kings 17:2-16 Sometimes he provides miraculously; Psalm 33:18-19; Psalm 37:19; Ezekiel 34:29; Ezekiel 36:29-30

He sends deliverance

2 Kings 7:1-9,16; Jeremiah 32:36-37

Responses to famine

Accepting God's chastisements

Jeremiah 27:12-13; Jeremiah 38:2-3; Jeremiah 42:13-17; Jeremiah 44:27

Caring for one's family

Genesis 45:11; Ruth 1:1; 2 Kings 8:1-2

Helping those in need

Acts 11:29-30

Praying

1 Kings 8:35-40 pp 2 Chronicles 6:26-31

Trusting in the Lord

Romans 8:35-37