During the reign of King David there was a famine in Israel. David inquired of the Lord to find the cause. The cause was bloodshed by the former king, Saul.
“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” – 2 Samuel 21:1The Lord, who provides everything, brings famine as a result of rebellion and bloodshed. The famine that comes to mind first is that of Joseph and Egypt. We are not given the cause of that famine, but the word “famine” appears nineteen times in the Genesis account.
Although we do not think of the Babylonian Captivity in terms of famine, the Lord told Judah through the Prophet Jeremiah that they would die of the sword, pestilence and famine. (Jeremiah 34:17) In fact, the word “famine” appears in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Ezekiel (Jeremiah prophesied the Captivity; Ezekiel lived during it) a total of forty-five times, as compared to the nineteen times of the Genesis famine.
The Book of Second Kings gives an account of the events leading to the Babylonian Captivity. In addition to the many reasons for the Lord withdrawing His favor from Judah, as given by Jeremiah, we are also given this reason in Second Kings.
“Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.” – 2 Kings 21:16
“Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this (Babylonian captivity) upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.” – 2 Kings 24:3-4 (my emphasis)In the account of Cain killing his brother, Abel, the Lord told Cain that the blood of Abel cried to Him from the ground where it was shed. (Genesis 4:10) Later, after the Great Flood, the Lord emphasized the importance of human blood. If a human is killed by man or animal, the life of that man or animal is required, because man is made in the image of God. (Genesis 9:6)
The Lord hates those who shed innocent blood. (Proverbs 6:16-17)
We are all familiar with stories of pagans sacrificing innocents to appease the gods. This is universal among pagans around the world. The shedding of innocent blood makes the pagan gods happy.
We still do the same thing today. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are empowering the wicked gods and their henchmen demons by shedding innocent blood. We are making them very happy. It is now clean and clinical. It is called abortion. Barrels, BARRELS, of human blood and human remains are removed from abortion clinics on a daily basis.
In His holiness and righteousness, the Lord cannot bless a land or lands where innocent blood is shed. He must withdraw His favor from such lands.
Famine is coming.
The Lord provides for the righteous. Are any of us righteous, or worthy? No, we are sinful people. But, as Believers in the Lord Jesus, we are covered by the blood of the Lamb of God and we are, therefore, righteous in the sight of God. Fear not. He is able! Praise His name!