0580. A Famine in the House of Bread

A Famine in the House of Bread

"Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab" (Rth_1:1).

A famine in the land. What land? Bethlehem-judah. This is a strange paradox, for Bethlehem means "The House of Bread;" and who ever heard of a famine in the house of bread?

But it is always so. When sin comes in, the bread supply is cut short. Unto Israel, God said: "O that Israel had hearkened unto Me, I would have fed her with the finest of the wheat." The trouble lies in our disobedience.

Whenever Israel proved faithless, God punished her by withholding the rain. With Israel, famine was the fruitage of disobedience. Moses, time and again, gave this warning to the people before he died. Time and again Israel felt the truth of Moses’ warning words. Her whole history reveals the chastenings of a loving God.

"Son of man, when the land sinneth against Me, by trespassing grievously * * then will I send famine upon it" (Eze_14:13).

This lesson has its application to the Gentiles. The things which happened unto Elimelech and Naomi, and to Israel were written for our admonition upon whom the end of the ages is come.

It is still true that "whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." If Christians wander away from God, God will assuredly cause them to suffer in one way or in another. Because of failing to discern the Lord’s body, in the commemoration of His broken body and shed Blood, for this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (see 1Co_11:30).

When sickness comes our way, and is God’s chastening for sin, the first thing we need to do is to humbly confess our sins. Surely then, "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him;" surely then, "the Lord will raise him up."

If our hearts are right with God there will never be a famine in the house of bread. In the world, we may have tribulation; we may be reviled and persecuted and we may suffer as Christians. However, if our hearts are right with God, we will always be able to sing and praise ‘mid the suffering; and we will find not famine, but "a table in the midst of our enemies;" and, our cup will run over, while goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR