Sunday: Famine in “The House of Bread”
Daily Lesson for Sunday 8th of June 2025
Critics of the Christian faith have often pointed to the brutal reality of living in this world as evidence that: (a) God does not exist, (b) He is powerless to intervene when bad things happen, or (c) He doesn’t care when we hurt. Many of the stories of the Bible, however, provide abundant evidence that none of these assumptions are correct. True, God is allowing the human race to reap the consequences of rebellion against Him. But without violating our free will, He is always present, always working in human history, always moving us toward the ultimate resolution of the problems of sin and suffering. The story of Ruth provides one such example.
Read Ruth 1:1-5. What hardships fell on Naomi and Ruth, and what caused them? How does this reflect the situation that the entire human race now faces?
Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com
There is irony to be found in the opening statement of this story: there was a famine that affected Bethlehem, a town whose name means “house of bread.” One is reminded of the abundance of Eden, where God told Adam and Eve, “ ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat’ ” (Genesis 2:16, NKJV). The human race began its existence in abundance, under the care of a generous Creator, but then exchanged its role as caretakers of creation for the slavery of sin. “ ‘In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground,’ ” God told Adam (Genesis 3:19, NKJV).
Like Naomi, we have been dispossessed from the inheritance that God originally planned for us to have, and our lives have become a hardship. Eden was given as a gift, but not unconditionally: humans were free to rebel, but that would mean they would have to take responsibility for their own well-being. Originally, we were meant to “subdue” the whole unfallen world under God’s blessing, but now we are faced with the task of subduing a fallen one. Selfish human beings competing for scarce resources leads to much heartache and suffering.
The tragedy is unspeakable: the earth still produces abundantly, a powerful testimony to God’s love. But between human greed and the ravages of sin, the world at times seems to subdue us more than we subdue it. One day, however, all this will end.
|
Even after six thousand years of sin and death, how does the earth still reveal the wonders of God’s love and creative power? |
(16)
We live in unique times when people are flocking to bars, clubs, and psychics by the millions in search of bread. People are desperate and thus try everything they can to fill their hunger because the church has failed them. We know of someone that has looked to the church just to find that the spiritual cupboard was bare. There was no presence in the pantry. Just empty shelves and offices full of recipes for bread, but the ovens are cold and dusty.
The irony is that we as christians have falsely hyped-up and advertised claims that there is bread in the house of the Lord, But when the hungry come, all they can do is scrounge through the carpet of yesteryear revivals and of modern programs, but they find no fresh manna No Bread!. We talk so greatly about what the Lord has done in the past, but can say very little about what He is doing today.
When Bethlehem, the house of bread, is empty, God's people are forced to look for bread in Moab and other places. As Naomi discovered Moab is a cruel and unforgiving place. Moab will steal our sons and daughters from us.
In the days of Joseph, all of the land (Egypt and Canaan) was in famine. Egypt just had more to offer than Canaan because they prepared. Israel went to Egypt because they were the ones who could satisfy their needs in the time of famine; by doing so, they left the promised land and walked into over two hundred years of bondage.
Our constant cry for hot bread baked only by stale crumbs on a frayed carpet of man’s tradition have left countless generations hungry, homeless, and with nowhere else to go but Moab may the Lord help us, we the gate keepers in the house of bread 🍞.
Genesis15:13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.
So, what should Christians do?
There are some facts that should be added to this perspective, respectively:
- Abraham did see and dwell in the promised land.
- Through Abraham the entire earth would be blessed. This showed focused effort of God to bless the entire earth.
- Jacob and his sons experienced famine, but God's providence had Joseph managing food resources in Egypt at the same time.
- Ruth and Naomi were struck by circumstance of famine and lack of resources. But even then Ruth's beauty did not escape a kind hearted Boaz who came to see and appreciate her loyalty to Naomi.
We often think that the plan of salvation is void of attack of the devil and that it will be carried out by single focus of that which God's people were meant to be or do. The strength of the plan of salvation comes from the fact that even when God's people fail to commit to His design, He always plants a seed that can and will see them through. Besides, what makes us think that at the time of the story of Ruth and Naomi, they were the only faithful ones on earth? Not because this story was recorded in the Bible it means there were no others holding on to the promises of God and keeping the commandments of God while bearing testimony of Jesus Christ. We should also think about these things.
Dear Motanya – I hear you! Your words are clear and resonate deeply. Your words uncover the quiet desolation present in so many hearts among God’s people. We are the ones called to “come out of Babylon, so that we do not share in her sins, and so that we will not receive any of her plagues” - Revelation 18:4.
Yes, I also see many 'cupboards' in the house of God standing bare — stripped of true spiritual food. In their place are imitations, tokens dressed up to look like nourishment, unable to share God's Love and Righteousness which alone can satisfy the soul’s hunger.
The body of Christ has not been left unwarned. We’ve been shown the cost of lukewarm faith, of self-reliance, of spiritual poverty that runs deeper than material lack - Revelation 3:14–22. Jesus has offered us something better — something enduring: the wealth of His spiritual Pantry — refined faith, the covering of His Righteousness, eyes opened to see with the Spirit’s clarity.
He does not invite us merely to eat and be filled in body. He calls us to partake of the same spiritual food that sustained Him through every trial and every step of faithful obedience. “I am the bread of life,” He said, “whoever comes to me will never go hungry” - John 6:35. There is food enough in His Pantry for all who will come, and eat.
And yet on heaps of ashes the roses continue to grow. How great and immeasurable is our God’s grace!
Jesus the bread of life (John 6:35) was in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4–7) the “house of bread”. Bethlehem was famous for its rich land and grain production and hence called a "house of bread." Ruth 1:1, sadly reports that the “house of bread” had run dry due to the devastation of famine. In the ancient biblical times famine was seen as a sign of God’s act of judgement on the people for their acts of disobedience. On this occasion, this was likely to be the case as Ruth 1:1, says “in the days when the judges ruled”. This was a time period which was characterised by spiritual decline in Israel (Judges 21:25). It is worthwhile to note that the name Elimelech means “My God is king” left a “house of bread” heading to Moab a land of pagan gods and an enemy of Israel. Elimelech failed to trust God.
I want to reflect on a claim (accusation) I see too often people leaving the church (house of spiritual bread) heading to “Moab” a place of spiritual bareness. Yes, the church for a little while might be facing some “famine” but in due course the Church of God will receive bread again. It is much…much safer to persevere and stay in “Bethlehem”. At some point God restored the provision of bread to Bethlehem. Likewise, the Church of God might go through a phase of spiritual uncertainty, but God will provide spiritual stability and direction. It is extremely more dangerous to head for “Moab” thinking to receive safety and spiritual food.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV)
But had not Naomi gone to Moab, there would be no story of Ruth. I believe God leads and shows his provisions in ways we cannot fathom!
Even after six thousand years of sin and death, how does the earth still reveal the wonders of God’s love and creative power?
I am still amazed by the fact that even science assumes that plant growth is so obvious that they call it natural. From the Garden of Eden, God has instructed Adam what he should do and how it would feel after sin but we take for granted the omniscient power that lies in the soil that provides the earth its sustenance. Consider the fact that a seed is placed in soil and just grows, thus mimicking creation. Science knows that seeds germinate, by imbibition, but cannot explain what causes seeds to automatically respond to that process. So God has left the earth with the propensity to create, thus pointing out that though stained by sin, He still provides for man as long as the earth exists. Today's lesson points out that it is not a lack of resources that pesters the world now, but rather the way in which these resources are owned and managed.
I have focused on the power still present in the soil that we have been polluting, but have not even started talking about the minerals found it that soil of which God has left the earth its ability to produce them. What a mighty, loving and omniscient God we serve.
Rev.11:18 says that God will destroy those that are destroying the earth. God will have the final word over the destruction of His Creation. Evil people guided by demons are bent on making this planet inhospitable with their deliberate attempts to poison our air, food, and water, to unleash on this planet deadly pestilence, and deadly wildfires. Satan is the instigator of all conspiracies against God, His Creation, and people created in the image of God. He uses evil, fallen people to accomplish his purposes. It's a wonder that our planet can still provide sustenance for the teeming masses of humanity. All problems on this earth are man made due to mankind's rebellion against God.
These individuals though hostile towards God are still offered an opportunity to repent and be saved, if they will turn from their sin. Satan thinks that he is in control, but God will have the final word over his creation.
Satan and those that align with him will meet their total destruction some day in the "Lake of fire." Matthew 25:41 This punishment was never intended for humans but is what humans choose in their persistent rebellion against God, the giver and sustainer of life.
I want to hear "well done, good and faithful servant," (Matthew 25:23) not "depart from me, I never knew you." I want to be a sheep and not a goat. (Matthew 25:31-46)
How about you?
"How does the earth still reveal the wonders of God's love and creative power?"
Take a look at the atoms and molecules, cells and organs, microliving things, insects, etc. In the human body, although everything gets old, there is this order, which will never fully comprehended by the most powerful AI. No human brain or computer will ever be able to create such diversity and detailed nature.
This is a nice analysis. I love the way you have explained it
I love the fact that even in Moab, God still raises a Ruth. Prophetically that is how in these last days, amid evil, God will still raise a people true to him. May we be part.