| Highlights of DAWN | May 1975 |
Hunger Trumpets the Hour
“And there shall be famines … in divers places.” —Matthew 24:7
HARDLY a week passes nowadays without one’s attention being shockingly directed to the pitiful plight of starving peoples in many parts of the world. Newspapers, weekly magazines, and television present appalling and heart-rending scenes of emaciated mothers bearing in their arms infants and young children whose bodies consist literally of skin and bones; of children, tin plates in their hands, waiting in long lines for a once-a-day dole of a few crumbs, their eager faces strained with the horrible fear that the supply might run out before their own turn comes; of drought-scorched lands, spotted here and there with the whitening, well-picked bones of domestic animals for whom there was no forage.
From the unspeakable poverty of a Calcutta slum comes the account of a family of ten persons eking out a miserable existence on less than ten dollars a week. Does not this mean that this family is hungry? “Oh, yes,” says the father, “but they have learned to ‘control’ their hunger.”
But this particular Indian family is not alone in its predicament. One of India’s cabinet ministers estimates that some two-thirds of that nation’s six hundred million people live below the poverty line, subsisting (if it may be called that) on a per capita consumption of about $6.50 per month.
In the northern part of Africa, just south of the Sahara Desert, is a vast region called the Sahel. This is a strip of land some 400 miles wide which stretches almost across the top of that great continent. Although the annual rainfall in the area is minimal, it still affords the thirty to forty millions of nomads who inhabit the land a meager existence when conditions are good. But after five years of drought even the normally sparse covering of grass has virtually disappeared, bringing suffering and starvation to great numbers. It has been estimated that some twenty million head of livestock, the chief reliance of the people for food and life, have starved, as have also some one hundred thousand of the inhabitants of this near-desert land. An official of one of the nations that make up this stricken land said, “We are living in a catastrophe.
More People Versus Less Food
The plight of these poor people has not gone unnoticed by the nations of the world. In 1973 alone, assisting nations flew in more than six hundred thousand tons of grain, and more would have been made available had it been possible to have delivered it. But because of the lack of transportation in the land it is difficult to get supplies to the interior where most of these people dwell, and it is estimated that some five million more men, women, and children face starvation.
But while the droughts of recent years have cruelly accentuated their special problems, India and Africa are not the only areas devoting serious and constant thought to the problem of producing sufficient food for tomorrow’s increasing millions. For although unfavorable weather conditions, exhaustion of the soil’s fertility, and other conditions do indeed contribute to the problem, the underlying difficulty stems from the persistent expansion of earth’s population.
Men in high places have long forewarned of the problem, the hard reality of which is now confronting much of the world. One of these men is Lester R. Brown, a former high official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As recently as 1970 he had written that “dramatic successes in raising food output in the poor countries are beginning to dispel the gloomy forecasts of widespread famine and worsening hunger.” In fairness to Mr. Brown, it should be stated that he considered that this potential increase in productivity would provide but temporary relief in what he considered to be a losing race with the growth of population. But his latest pronouncement is pessimistic indeed. “Unhappily,” now says Mr. Brown, “the global prevalence of malnutrition is likely to rise, not diminish, in the years immediately ahead.” In addition to the increasing millions to be fed, he calls attention to emerging “shortages in each of the four basic agricultural resources—land, water, energy, and fertilizer.”
Another highly regarded food authority, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, also known as the father of the green revolution, speaks in the same unhappy vein. He points out that in order to increase food production, the production of fertilizer must be increased. But the production of fertilizer depends on energy obtained from crude oil and gas, the prices of both of which commodities have multiplied greatly in the last year. Thus, even if more food could presumably be produced, the price of that food might well be beyond the ability of the masses to pay. Commenting on this same dismal relationship between the rising cost of energy and the food supply, agricultural scientists of the University of Wisconsin have observed that “it would be hard to conclude on a note of optimism.”
Solution—or Starvation!
Some time back, Science magazine wrote, “The world drawdown in grain stocks which began in the mid-nineteen sixties continues, and some food shortages are likely all through the nineteen seventies and early nineteen eighties. Even if population control measures begin to limit world population, the rising tide of hungry people will be with us for some time.” To return once more to Dr. Borlaug, we quote his own conclusion: “The world has got to the point where there has to be a sitting down together to decide what to do. Do we let all these countries go into hunger and social and political disorder?”
As if in response to this and many other similar queries by concerned national leaders, representatives from some 130 nations of the world convened last November in Rome to discuss the problem. Among other facets of the difficulty, they considered the wisdom and feasibility of setting up world reserves of food, ways to increase food production, and the means of assisting those nations chronically suffering from food shortages. In view of the magnitude of the problem, in conjunction with man’s imperfection and self-interest, one must agree with the conclusion of the agricultural scientists quoted earlier that [so far as man’s own efforts to solve the matter are concerned] it is difficult to be optimistic.
But some of those who are not in high places, foreseeing what they view as an ominous development, are undertaking to do something about it in their own individual way. Some are “going back to the land” in a small way—either by purchasing an acre or two on which to raise a half dozen chickens and a cow, perhaps, or by simply growing a few vegetables in their suburban backyards.
Others, similarly concerned about the uncertain future, are joining in a growing trend to store frozen or dehydrated foods in their basements, or concealing them behind artificial walls, for use in the event of future food shortages. Still others are laying in stockpiles of vitamins, seeds, food supplements, or anything else they suppose would sustain life in a world of food shortages. It is interesting to note that among those reported as attempting to so provide for the uncertainties of the morrow are members of the Mormon Church of the Latter Day Saints.
Of course, world population has been growing since man first was placed on this planet, but until recent decades this had occurred at a moderate pace. In past centuries only a fraction of newborn babies reached adulthood. The population growth was further slowed by ever-present disease and recurrent plagues. Also, when droughts occurred, bringing famine to isolated lands, it was not then possible as it is now quickly to transport large quantities of food to the stricken people, and as a result entire populations were often decimated.
Science Adds to Population Problem
It has been estimated that when the Pilgrims landed on the shores of Massachusetts Bay the world population amounted to less than five hundred million people. By the middle of the 19th century this figure had grown to about one billion. But since that time, largely due to medical and scientific advances, world population has increased literally by leaps and bounds. It is now thought that there are about four billion humans occupying this earth; but that, the demographers tell us, is just the beginning, for it is further calculated that by the year 2010 this figure will double to about eight billions. All this, be it noted, at a time when we are being told that we are running out of many basic resources such as water, arable land, and oil; at a time when we are being told that our oceans, another important source of food, are being over-fished.
Perhaps it is little wonder that people are manifesting concern. But though it is generally considered that the root of the present problem is the multiplication of people, there seems to be little real hope of checking that growth, and less of being able to increase food production to match it. As a result, experts are estimating that some ten million people may starve to death in this so-called enlightened year of 1975, and that some five hundred million more, a number equaling the entire population of the world in 1720, are on the verge of starvation. Where will it all end?
Disturbing New Word Appears
A word that is new (and disturbing) to many has been appearing in print with increasing frequency of late, which sheds light on the magnitude and urgency of the food problem as viewed by world leaders, and the shocking extremes to which their thinking is leading them in their efforts to find a solution. It is the word triage, from a French word meaning to sift, or to sort. The dictionary defines it as the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients, especially war and disaster victims, according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors. At first glance this would seem to be the humane and proper course to adopt in such situations, for the saving of as many lives as possible under any given circumstances should be the goal of all right-minded and good-hearted human beings. It is only when we follow the procedure to its suggested conclusion that the horror of it is seen.
As the plan would operate under war conditions involving shortages of doctors, medical supplies, and beds (and presumably it has indeed been so employed) all the wounded are divided or sorted out into three general groups. One group would consist of those wounded who will recover, even though no attention at all is given to them; these endure their pain unattended. A second group is composed of those who will succumb unless they receive medical attention, and on these the available medical skill and supplies are therefore bestowed. There remains a third group of unfortunates, all of whom it has been concluded will succumb in spite of the best attention; these are permitted to perish.
To those of us who are unlearned in the horrors of war this is a disturbing revelation. And it is this same system of allocation that is proposed should be used in the global war on hunger; namely, that food should be supplied to those peoples who will thereby be carried through until they can again take care of themselves; but those nations whose food shortage is judged to be a permanent condition would be denied assistance. These last are to be written off as nations whose population growth exceeds their agricultural potential; and to send food to such as these would be regarded by the advocates of this plan as “throwing sand in the ocean.” Such assistance, it is argued, would merely permit them to produce additional millions who, in turn, would face the same grim round of hunger, malnutrition, and starvation, only in greater numbers than before.
Sorry, No Room!
This policy is defended as being in line with “lifeboat ethics”—that is, when the lifeboat of a doomed ship is already so low in the water with survivors that the addition of any of those pitiful souls paddling about in the ocean would cause the boat to swamp, then at that point these are denied access to the lifeboat.
This, then, is the dilemma in which the world finds itself today—a dilemma which is defying the ability of the world’s greatest leaders and best minds to resolve. And how did it come about? Did the great Creator, whose wisdom designed the universe, who prepared the planet Earth for man’s habitation and told him to fill the earth with his kind, miscalculate? Did he, unwittingly, set in motion great unchanging and unchangeable forces which would inevitably result in man’s extinction? We believe not. Rather, we believe that God gave man a relatively free hand over life’s affairs in order to let him see once for all time his own imperfections and insufficiencies, that he might ultimately be led to seek after the Lord. For the devastating hunger that is sweeping the world, as well as all other of man’s problems, are the inescapable consequence of his own imperfection and selfishness.
Sign of the Kingdom
The situation in which the world finds itself today is one that is unprecedented in the history of mankind; and the suffering that is being endured by millions of our fellow human beings all over the world touches the hearts of all good people. The hearts of the Lord’s people, too, are deeply affected by these sufferings. But to students of God’s Word all this is much more than a deplorable incident in the history of mankind; to them it is seen as one of many hopeful signs recorded in the Bible that we are in the last days of the age, and that the promised glorious times of restitution are near.
Three days before his crucifixion, the disciples questioned Jesus as to the sign of his presence and the end of the age. (Matt. 24:3) In his reply Jesus said that at that time there would be “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Among the troubles to afflict the world in this final time of tribulation he foretold the occurrence of “famines … in divers places.” (Matt. 24:7) “These,” he said, “are the beginning of [those] sorrows” which would mark the final days of this present evil world, just prior to the beginning of Christ’s glorious millennial reign. In describing the occurrences in the world during this time at the end of the age, Luke records Jesus as saying, “When ye see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”—Luke 21:31
No More Hungry People
Beyond the troubles that bring this present evil world to an end (II Pet. 3:7), what bounteous blessings the Heavenly Father has in store for all his human creatures! How he must look forward to that time when he shall open his hand and pour out upon the hungering and thirsting world of mankind of his inexhaustible abundance! Speaking of that period, the Prophet Isaiah tells us that the whole world will then enjoy unprecedented productiveness.
He writes, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. … In the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water … [and] grass with reeds and rushes.”—Isa. 35:1,2,6,7
As a result of the rich bounty that the earth shall then bring forth, every vestige of hunger shall be banished! The same prophet writes, “They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.”—Isa. 49:10
That this promise applies to the time of the kingdom reign of Christ and the church, when as a result of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice the whole world has been brought forth from their graves (Dan. 12:1,2; I Tim. 2:3-6;), is clearly shown in the preceding verses: “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness. Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.” When Christ and the church call the prisoners forth from the sleep of death, then, indeed, shall their pastures be in all high places. How boundless should be our joy to know that in Christ’s kingdom the pangs of hunger will no longer gnaw at the empty stomachs of innocent babes!
In yet another prophecy the same prophet likens the abundance that the Lord shall prepare for resurrected mankind to a great feast: “In this mountain [kingdom] shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” (Isa. 25:6) Again, that this satisfying portion will be supplied to a grateful world during the thousand-year reign of Christ and the church is evident from the context, for the prophet goes on to say that the Lord of hosts “will destroy in this mountain [kingdom] the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”—Isa. 25:7-9
All Shall Be Truly Satisfied
This is the same joyous time which the Revelator describes as a new heaven and a new earth, the former heaven and earth (this present evil world, ruled over by Satan) having passed away. The true church, the Lamb’s wife, will have been married to her Bridegroom, “for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Christ and the church will then be reigning, “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things [including hunger, malnutrition, and starvation] are passed away.”—Rev. 21:1-4
Because of his disobedience of God’s righteous laws, because of his own imperfection and selfishness, man is now suffering many ills, including hunger. But the Heavenly Father, in his great love and mercy, has provided a glorious and abundant tomorrow, through Christ, for the whole world. In Christ’s kingdom there will be no place for lifeboat ethics, and the word triage will never be spoken; there will be plenty for all.
Nor will the Heavenly Father forget his own very special people, the footstep followers of Jesus, in these trying days. “The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” (Ps. 37:18,19) Many of these, like the world, may indeed suffer hunger and privation. But the Lord will satisfy their hunger in his own special way. And how better shall he satisfy these, his so very precious ones, than by taking them home? “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”—Ps. 17:15