5. The Worst Famine Ever!

This was a severe famine under invasion by a foreign power. The siege was so long, and the famine so bad that a donkey’s head was sold for 80 shekels of silver (about 1 kg.) Dove dung which consisted of undigested seed pods for 5 shekels. Unheard-of hyperinflation was being experienced! Hunger was so terrible that people were even eating each other!

A woman cried out for help from the king; they wanted to kill and eat their babies. People could not even surrender due to the war because they would be killed.

The King tore his robe and had no idea what to do. The King could not solve the problem and was even angry with God and wanted to kill the prophet, Elijah. Elijah sent a message to the King, predicting a fast economic improvement.

The King needed to look to God, who was using economic pain to help people realize that God controls the economy. Elijah said, ‘Hear the Word of the Lord.’ His words are more valuable than money! Elisha brought a solution. ‘At this time tomorrow, flour will sell for one shekel ... at the gate of Samaria. He predicted the exact time, exact commodity, exact price, at the exact place an economic upturn would happen. No one knew the price of commodities, but the man of God did.

Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned (the chief advisor) said to Elijah, “If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, this can never happen!” The advisor said, ‘We are in hyperinflation and at war – God cannot do it!’ Elisha looked at him, pointing between his eyes, “God can do that. You will see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat it.”

Elisha was bold and confident because he knew God.

This famine showed the end of self-reliance.

When in dire straits, we cannot get out ourselves. It is like trying to pull ourselves up with our own shoelaces. It cannot be done. We need a power outside ourselves to pull us out of the mire.

Everything came to be and happened the next day by God's miracle. The advisor was trampled at the gate as people crammed back into the city. Who do you trust, rational man or God, who can do wonders?