Famine looms large in the Bible. In one situation, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of want. Joseph rose to power as the king’s right hand man, charged with planning for the impending disaster. Thanks to God’s placement of Joseph in this strategic position, he saved Egypt, his own family and in doing so, the future nation of Israel.

I never worry about getting enough to eat. The prices of eggs are sky-high right now, but I can afford expensive eggs. I’m way more likely to suffer from overeating than starvation. Famine remains a real threat in parts of our world, however, with warfare as a primary cause. In Egypt the famine grew so widespread that neighboring lands suffered as well. People wasted away, grew sick, and died.

In our western society famines rarely arise from the absence of food. In this era of plenty, people suffer instead from loneliness. A dearth of goodwill, coupled with a shortage of forgiveness, stalks our land. Harsh words bloom in our discourses. We endure fear and hopelessness. People waste away, grow sick, and die.

Jesus spoke to breaking such a famine. When asked about the most important commandment to follow, Jesus replied, The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Many of us carry round bellies covering emaciated hearts. As I ask the Holy Spirit to empower me, to apply these words of Jesus to my day to day living, the Lord begins to fatten my soul.

Joseph fed the world with grain stored in vast warehouses. These are an image of the storehouses of the Lord. A life spent following the way of Jesus opens their doors, bringing sustenance to our hope-starved world.

Genesis 41 & Mark 12

Photo by Jodi Mucha