Famines (Genesis 41:53-42:3, Amos 8:11-12, Matthew 24:4-14)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
17 May 2020
Famines (along with wars, earthquakes, pestilence) are always here. They are symptoms of a fallen world. If the world remains fallen; famines remain with us.
There are two kinds of famines---physical (food) and spiritual (famine of word of God, Amos 8:11).
We live in days of plenty but days of plenty can come to an end (41:53.54). Always be thankful for what God gives. But be prepared for famine also.
Famines do not discriminate. They affect everyone. Jacob was a righteous man yet he experienced famine.
Note how Jacob responded to famine.
First, he recognised the situation. It is impossible to deny physical famine. Strange that people so easily deny spiritual famine.
Secondly, he knew where to get grain. There was food outside of Canaan. There is food for us outside of ourselves---at Calvary's cross outside the walls of Jerusalem.
Thirdly, he took action. He sent his sons to Egypt for grain. Spiritually famished people need to take action. They cannot just stand around looking at each other. Take action today. Jesus is the bread of life. Go to him for food.
Note that God has a provision for his people. His suffering servant Joseph was prepared by God to be the Saviour of Jacob. Our suffering Saviour Jesus has been sent to provide for our famished souls.
God does not abandon Israel. Jacob will not die. Through Jacob the Messiah would come. God does not abandon his church. Through the church the world will hear about the Messiah who is Jesus.
Observe from the Scriptures various people who in time of need (famine) searched for relief. Note that as these people searched they in actual fact were searching for Jesus.
Job lost his wealth, children, and health. He was severely tested He cried out for a meeting with God. He was searching for a priest, a representative. He was searching for Jesus who is the great high priest.
David committed adultery and murder. He thought nothing of it but the Spirit of God convicted him and David cried out in repentance (Psalm 51). David was searching for a Saviour. He was searching for Jesus who is the Saviour of sinners.
The Queen of Sheba came looking for King Solomon. She, herself a monarch, had heard of a superior monarch, Solomon. She was looking for the greatest of all monarchs, Jesus, the King of kings.
Naaman the Syrian officer was a leper. He was told of a prophet in Israel who could heal him. He came looking for that prophet. He was looking for Jesus who is the greatest prophet.
Wise men from the East came to Israel searching for the one who was born King of the Jews. They sought for Jesus King of kings, Lord of lords.
Gentiles were fed up with lies and worthless things they had been taught (Jeremiah 16:19). They would come seeking truth (John 12:21,22). They found it when they met Jesus who is the truth.
The multitudes flocked to the wilderness to hear Jesus. They sought someone who worked miracles and spoke of the kingdom of God. They sought for the Messiah and found him—Jesus.
All these people had spiritual needs. Their souls were empty. They came to seek food and found it. Jesus is food for the soul. He is the bread of life. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
God preserved Jacob because through Jacob the Messiah would come. God preserves the church because through it the gospel of Jesus will be proclaimed. Famine did not kill Jacob. Neither will it kill the church.
In the New Testament Jesus teaches that in the midst of war, earthquakes, pestilence and famine the gospel will be proclaimed to the nations before the end comes (Matthew 24:6-7, 14).
The church is God's instrument for gospel proclamation. It is preserved amidst famine to offer sustenance to famished souls.
Christians, see to it that you are active in providing the food of the gospel. You must be a Joseph to a famished world.
Non-Christians, recognise your spiritual famine. Come to Jesus who will satisfy your inner being.