Famine in the Bible: The Path From Retribution to Redemption
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Famine, a devastating lack of food that leads to widespread hunger, appears frequently in the Bible. It being there isn’t just some backdrop for dramatic narratives; it’s a profound theme that intertwines with the spiritual journey of Israel and God’s intricate plan for redemption. In the biblical narrative, famine serves as both a consequence of divine retribution and a precursor to redemption, often leading to transformative outcomes for God’s people. Let’s further explore famine in the Bible together!
Famine as Divine Retribution
The concept of famine as divine retribution is pictured vividly in the second paragraph of the Shema, a central prayer in Jewish tradition, taken from Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 11:13-21 describes how Israel’s prosperity and security depend on their faithfulness to God’s commandments. The passage warns that turning away from God to worship other gods will result in severe consequences, including the lack of rain and subsequent lack of food:
“And it shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, 14 that He will provide rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, so that you may gather your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 He will also provide grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
Deuteronomy 11:13-17, NASB
16 Beware that your hearts are not easily deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods, and worship them. 17 Otherwise, the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the sky so that there will be no rain, and the ground will not yield its produce; then you will quickly perish from the good land which the Lord is giving you.”
The covenant between Israel and God establishes that famine is not a chance occurrence but rather a tool employed by God to prompt the nation to return to obedience. In biblical accounts, famine serves as a sign for the Israelites to reflect on their faithfulness and reestablish their dedication to God’s commandments. Recognizing this perspective is key to comprehending the diverse role of famine in the Bible.
Famine Leading to Redemption
Famine, initially associated with suffering and divine punishment, can actually pave the way for incredible tales of redemption and renewal. These stories showcase how God can utilize challenges to accomplish His redemptive intentions, benefiting both individuals and the nation of Israel.
Let’s look at several important biblical examples where famine played a crucial role in bringing about significant redemptive results.
Joseph: From Pit to Palace
The story of Joseph is one of the most vivid illustrations of how famine can serve as a pathway to redemption. Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, was envied by his brothers and sold into slavery. This act of betrayal set off a chain of events that would not only change Joseph’s life but also shape the destiny of Israel.
After being sold into slavery, Joseph found himself in Egypt, where he initially served in the household of Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official. Despite his circumstances, Joseph prospered due to his faithfulness to God and his exceptional ability to interpret dreams. However, his integrity led to his imprisonment when he refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife.
In prison, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams brought him to the attention of Pharaoh, who was troubled by dreams that none of his advisors could explain. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams as a divine warning: Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him as the second most powerful man in Egypt, tasked with preparing the nation for the coming famine.
When the famine finally struck, as Joseph said it would, it affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding regions, including Canaan, where Joseph’s family lived. Driven by hunger, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain.
They did not recognize Joseph, who now stood before them as the ruler of Egypt. Joseph kept his identity hidden and tested his brothers to see if they had changed at all.
Eventually, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in a moving family reunion. He forgave them, saying,
“Yes, you yourselves planned evil against me. God planned it for good, in order to bring about what it is this day—to preserve the lives of many people.”
Genesis 50:20, TLV
Joseph’s story highlights God’s providence and the way He can bring about redemption and restoration through the most dire of circumstances. The famine, initially a source of hardship, became the means by which God reunited and preserved the family of Jacob, laying the groundwork for the future nation of Israel.
Isaac and Rebekah: Provision Amid Famine
Isaac, Abraham’s son, faced a famine that brought a test of faith and a reaffirmation of God’s promises. This story underscores how God’s guidance and provision can prevail even in times of lack.
In what will seem like a familiar narrative, as famine struck the land of Canaan, Isaac considered going down to Egypt, where food and resources were more plentiful. This was a logical choice, given that his father Abraham had done the same during a previous famine. However, God had different plans for Isaac and appeared to him with specific instructions:
“Adonai appeared to him and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt. Dwell in the land about which I tell you. Live as an outsider in this land and I will be with you and bless you. For to you and to your seed I give all these lands, and I will confirm My pledge that I swore to Abraham your father.'”
Genesis 26:2-3, TLV
Isaac obeyed God’s command and stayed in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. Despite the famine, he planted crops and the Bible says he reaped a hundredfold harvest because of God’s blessing.
By displaying this act of faith, Abraham not only received instant sustenance but also received a reaffirmation of God’s promise. This serves as a powerful example that obedience to God’s word can lead to unforeseen blessings and abundance, even during periods of limited resources.
Isaac’s success led to conflict with the Philistines, who believed the rights to the wells were theirs. Each time Isaac’s servants dug a well and found water, the Philistines argued with them, forcing Isaac to move and dig yet again. This cycle repeated several times, but Isaac’s persistence and peaceful approach eventually led to a treaty with Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, ensuring peace and stability.
Isaac’s story reinforces the theme that God’s blessings are not dependent on favorable circumstances but on His promises and our faithfulness. Isaac’s ability to thrive in times of famine serves as a testament to God’s provision and the importance of trust and obedience.
Ruth: Redemption in the Fields of Bethlehem
The story of Ruth is a beautiful narrative of loyalty, love, and divine providence, in the middle of famine and loss. It illustrates how God can bring about redemption through the faithfulness and kindness of ordinary people.
The book of Ruth begins with a famine in Judah, prompting Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons to go to Moab. There, Naomi’s husband and sons die, leaving her and her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, in a very difficult situation. Naomi decided to return to her home in Bethlehem after hearing that the famine had ended. Ruth, demonstrating remarkable loyalty, chose to stay with Naomi despite Naomi’s pleading with her to stay in Moab. Ruth says, in a very familiar verse to many:
“Do not plead with me to abandon you, to turn back from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”
Ruth 1:16, TLV
Back in Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Boaz noticed Ruth’s dedication and extended his protection and generosity to her. Under Naomi’s guidance, Ruth approached Boaz and asked him to fulfill his role as a goel (Hebrew for kinsman-redeemer), which involved marrying her to preserve the family line.
Long story short, Boaz agreed, and their marriage ensured Naomi’s security and integrated Ruth into the Israelite community (which could be done through marriage). Remarkably, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, placing her in the lineage of Messiah. This story of redemption highlights how God can use acts of loyalty, kindness, and obedience to fulfill His greater purposes.
Ruth’s narrative is yet another testament to how God can use even the most difficult situations to bring about His purposes and bring “outsiders” into His grand plan for redemption. It also shows how God’s provision can come through the loving actions of His people.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath
During the reign of King Ahab, Israel experienced a severe famine as a direct consequence of the nation’s idolatry. God sent the prophet Elijah to Zarephath, where he met a widow gathering sticks to prepare a last meal for herself and her son.
Elijah, having been sustained by ravens and a dwindling brook (Wadi Cherith) during the early part of the famine, was directed by God to Zarephath. It was here he met the widow at the town gate, gathering sticks. Elijah asked her for water and a small cake of bread. The widow explained that she only had enough flour and oil for one last meal for herself and her son before they died of starvation. Elijah responded with a promise from God:
“For thus Adonai, God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not be exhausted nor shall the jug of oil be empty until the day Adonai sends rain on the land.’”
1 Kings 17:14, TLV
The widow, despite facing the most dire of circumstances, chose to trust Elijah and share her last meal with him. True to God’s word, the flour and oil did not run out, providing for Elijah, the widow, and her son throughout the duration of the famine.
Later, when the widow’s son fell ill and died, Elijah prayed to God, and the boy was miraculously revived. This event not only affirmed Elijah’s role as a prophet but also deepened the widow’s faith in the God of Israel.
The story of Elijah and the widow highlights God’s concern for and involvement in the lives of individuals, regardless of their status or background.
Famine in the Bible as a Catalyst for Divine Plans
Beyond individual stories, famine in the Bible often functions as a catalyst for God’s greater plans for Israel. For instance, during the time of the Judges, repeated cycles of disobedience and retribution through famine lead to repentance, prompting God to raise up judges to rescue and restore His people:
“Then Adonai raised up judges who delivered them from the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they listened not to their judges for they prostituted themselves after other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned aside from the way in which their fathers walked in obeying the commandments of Adonai; they did not do so. Whenever Adonai raised judges for them, Adonai was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge.
Judges 2:16-19, TLV
For Adonai was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and crushed them. But when the judge died, they would return and act more corruptly than their fathers—in following other gods, worshipping them, and bowing down to them. They abandoned none of their practices and stubborn ways.”
Each famine and subsequent deliverance highlight God’s mercy and His unwavering commitment to Israel despite their repeated failures. Famine served as a tool to turn the people’s hearts back to God and renew their dependence on Him. This cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance is a recurring theme in the history of Israel, which demonstrates God’s relentless pursuit of His people and His desire to bring them back to a right relationship with Him.
Famine and the Divine Narrative
Famine in the Bible is much more than a historical or climatic event. It’s a profound tool used by God to achieve both retribution and redemption. Whether as a consequence of disobedience, as seen in the warnings of the Shema, or as a pathway to unforeseen blessings, as in the stories of Joseph, Ruth, Isaac, and the widow of Zarephath, famine plays a critical role in the unfolding of God’s redemptive narrative.
Today, these biblical accounts remind us that even as we go through times of difficulty, grief and suffering, God’s purposes are at work. Famine, with all its hardships, can be a conduit for growth, transformation, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of God’s providence and grace. In light of that, the story of famine in the Bible is one of hope and redemption, assuring us that God’s plans are always geared towards restoration and life.
Through these stories, we learn that God’s will often shines brightest against the backdrop of adversity. Famine, even though devastating, can lead to profound spiritual growth and redemption, both individually and collectively. This is true of famine whether it is food or whether it is a period in our lives where we do not see God at work.
As we navigate our own trials, we can gain strength and inspiration from these biblical narratives, trusting in God’s ultimate plan and His unwavering commitment to our good.
NASB – “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation“
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.