I. Biblical Famines:
A. Famines are referred to fairly frequently in the Bible. In the Old Testament we read of them about (a dozen; fifty; a hundred; a thousand) times. A hundred times
1. The Hebrew word is translated most often “famine,” but it is also rendered as (dearth; hunger; flood; famish). Dearth (5), hunger(8), famish (1)
2. Some of the”symptoms” of a famine might be (drought; starvation; devastation; bugs). All of these
3. Biblical famines were never “natural” (true; false). Depends on definition of natural
B. As far as we know, Abraham was the first to feel the effects of famine. When it occurred, where was he and where did he go (Ur to Haran; Haran to Canaan; Canaan to Egypt; Egypt to Canaan). In Canaan – Gen. 12:10
1. Was there sin in Abraham’s life, or in his family which brought about this famine (yes; no). No
2. When a person or family suffers loss, should we always assume that it is punishment (yes; no)? No
3. Because of famine, Isaac took his family to (Egypt; Philistia; Syria; the Caribbean). Philistines – 26:1
4. A third great famine in the Bible was predicted by (seven lean cows; Jacob; Obadiah; Joseph) 41:27; 54
5. Taken over all, that famine was (terrible; good for Israel; good for Joseph; devastating). Why? Good
6. A famine sent Elimelech to (Goshen; Eden; Moab; Moab Junction). Moab – Ruth 1:1
7. While David was King there was a three-year famine. It was because of (David’s sin of numbering Israel; the sins of the Philistines; Saul’s antagonism against David; Saul’s slaughter of the Gibeonites). II S 21:1
8. Because of David’s sin of numbering Israel, Nathan sent David a choice between (7 years of famine; 3 months of enemy attacks; three days of disease). It was Gad, not Nathan – II Sam. 24:13
C. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon referred to (famine; pestilence; locusts; inflation), saying that if the people repented God would remove the problem). I Kings 8:37 – Not inflation
1. Who was suffering during the famine of I Kings 18 (Elijah; Elisha; Obadiah; Ahab). Not Elisha; Elijah?
2. During another famine, Elisha performed a miracle for a group of starving preacher-boys; what he did was (healed a sick child; restored the life of a fig tree; sweetened some pottage; removed poison). II K 4:38
3. How many famines were there during Elisha’s lifetime (1, 2, 3, 4). Three – II K 4:38; 6:25; 8:1-6
4. During one famine a group of (prophets; lepers; college students; ravens) saved Samaria. II K 7
5. What king, with Isaiah’s help, tried to convince Judah that God could save the nation from famine, drought, disease and the Assyrians (Hezekiah; Jehoshaphat; Solomon; David)? Hez. II Chron 32:11
6. Some famines were directly caused by man. Jerusalem suffered one such famine under the (reign of Ahab; siege of Josiah; siege of Nebuchadnezzar; prophesies of Jeremiah). II K 25:2
7. Who promised God’s saints that they wouldn’t be ashamed of the Lord in days of evil, and in the time famine they would be satisfied (Moses; Isaiah; Asaph; David). David – Psalm 37:19
8. What Psalm begins with praise to God, but later says that He called for a famine upon the land: He brake the whole staff of bread (Ps 100; 104; 105; 119)? 105:16
9. Which major prophet didn’t prophesy about famines (Jeremiah; Isaiah; Ezekiel; Amos) Amos was minor
D. Which of the following were prophesied by Christ (earthquakes, famines; wars; troubles)? All – Mk. 13:8
1. In which of these famous stories was there a famine involved (Lost coin; Good Samaritan; Talents; the Prodigal son). Prodigal – Luke 15:14
2. Which of the following can separate the saint from the love of God (shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword)? Romans 8:35
3. With the opening of the (1st; 2nd; 3rd; 4th) seal the earth will experience a terrible famine. 4th – Rev. 6:8
4. What city will in one day experience death, mourning, famine, and fire: “for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (Spokane; New York, Babylon; Jerusalem). Babylon – Rev. 18:8
II. Biblical Fasting:
A. Which of these is the meaning of Biblical word “fast” (bind; quick; to not eat; feast)? All but feast
1. How did Sisera fast; he (stopped eating to please God; gave up Doritos for Lent; slept; ran quickly)? 4:21
2. How did Samson fast; he (gave up chocolate; was tied up; out-ran a lion; fasted and prayed for the Lord’s deliverance from the Philistines). Tied fast. Judg. 15:13
3. Who was told to “stay fast” to Boaz’ young men and maidens (Oprah; Orpah; Naomi; Ruth)? Ruth 2:8, 21
4. Generally, when thinking of the Bible, “to fast” refers to (binding; being quick; to not eat; to sleep)?
B. Who may have been the first person to observe a religious fast (Adam, Noah, Jonah; Moses)? Deut. 9:9
1. What provoked that fast (God; the law; Israel’s sin with the golden calf; famine). Giving the law
2. At Mizpeh Samuel led Israel to fast and to repent; what symbolism did he use to illustrate their repentance (tears; pouring out water; renting their clothes; rending their clothes). Pouring water – I Sam. 7:6
3. In I Samuel 31, Israel fasted in (repentance; joy; mourning; thanksgiving). Mourning for Saul
4. In II Samuel 1, David and his men fasted in mourning for (Saul; Jonathan; Nabal; Abigail). S & J
5. In II Samuel 3, David and his men fasted in mourning for (Saul; Jonathan; Joab; Abner). Abner
6. Throughout whose sickness did David fast and mourn (his father’s; his wife’s; his son’s; Bathsheba’s son’s)? II Sam. 12:16
7. Was his fasting (by doctor’s orders; by God’s orders; in repentance; in an effort to save his son’s life)?
8. “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I _________________ and ________________: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be ____________________ to me, that the child may ______________? 12:22
C. How long was Elijah’s fast as he fled from Jezebel (1 day; 7 days; 12 days; 40 days). 40 days – I K 19:7-18
1. Who began fasting after the preaching of Jonah (Jonah; Jeremiah; Nehemiah; Ninevah)? Jonah 3
2. What wicked man humbled himself before God and fasted, leading the Lord to be gracious (Saul; Ahab; Naaman; Nebuchadezzar). Ahab – I King 21:27-29
3. Who proclaimed a fast by the river of Ahava (Isaiah; Jeremiah; Nehemiah; Ezra). Ezra 8:21
4. What happened as a result of this fast and Israel’s repentance (disaster on the enemy; God was entreated; the prophet’s life was spared; the famine was reversed)? God was entreated – 8:23
5. Who when he heard of the fall of Jerusalem wept, mourned and fasted (Jeremiah; Nehemiah; Ezra; Isaiah)? Neh. 1:4
6. Who asked for prayer and fasting for her safety (Abigail; Esther; Jezebel; Ruth)? Esther 4:13-16
7. Who fasted while Daniel was in the lion’s den (Daniel; Shadrach; Hannaniah; Darius)? Darius – 6:18-24
8. Who fasted after reading Jeremiah’s prophecy of judgment (Isaiah; Baruch; Daniel; Shadrach)? Dan 9
D. Who are we told often fasted, anxiously awaiting the coming of the Messiah (Elizabeth; Anne; Anna; Mary Magdalene)? Anna – Luke 2:37
1. Who in the New Testament fasted forty days (Paul; Peter; Nicodemus; Jesus)? Matthew 4:1-11
2. What group of people often fasted (the Sadducees; the Pharisees; the disciples of Jesus; the disciples of John). Matthew 9:14-15 – John’s
3. How long did Saul fast after his conversion (1 day; 3 days; 7 days; 40 days). 3 days. Acts 9:9
4. What notable Gentile fasted, yearning for God’s salvation (Pilate; Cornelius; Nicodemus; Nero)? A 10:30
5. What group of people fasted before sending out their missionaries (the church in Jerusalem; the saints in Damascus; the elders in Antioch; the Jehovah’s Witnesses). Acts 13:1-5
6. What group of people fasted for 14 days before God blessed them (the disciples; the church in Jerusalem; the sailors with Paul in the storm; the church in New York City). Acts 27:33-34
E. Is there any benefit to Christians in fasting today (yes; no)?
1. Is there any spiritual benefit for Christians in fasting today (yes; no; probably so; probably no)?
2. When was the last time that you were so serious about seeking the blessing of God that you fasted for an extended period of time?