Throughout history there was been a famine of the word of God. Going back thousands of years ago the word of God had to be copied by hand onto scrolls. An improvement was the use of codices. Now the reader didn't have to unroll and re-roll a lengthy scroll, rather he could flip through pages similar to a modern-day book. Until the invention the movable type press by Johannes Gutenberg and the publication the Gutenberg Bible the rarity of the Word was understandable. However, access to the Word was not due only to lack of technology but to the ambition and greed of Nicolaitanes. During the Dark Ages the laity was not allowed to read the Word, rather the priestly caste read the people the church’s interpretation of the Word combined with the dictates of the current Pope. Today owning a Bible in many countries can result in imprisonment and/or death.
I remember at the end of the millennium Johannes Gutenberg was voted Time magazine’s person of the millennium. Truly Johannes Gutenberg’s invention brought the Bible and books in general within the reach of more people.
With the Internet and all the electronic gizmos currently marketed dozens of versions of the Bible are readily available. As an example, I have several versions of the Bible on both of my computers, IPhone, NowBible MP3 player and Kindle Fire Tablet. I can both listen and read along with the Bible if I so choose. Or I can listen to the Bible while driving or in my sleep. No famine of God's Word here.
Sadly enough today it seems that there is a famine of God's word. It certainly is not due to the unavailability of the printed word, rather it is the rejection of God's word. The mention of intelligent design can destroy an academic career. Many ministries have strayed far from Biblical Truths and present a message as predicted by Paul in. 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
With thanks to Wikipedia, “A famine is a widespread scarcity of food,[1] caused by several factors including crop failure, population unbalance, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality.” Dryness as a medical condition would be when there is a decrease in normal lubrication, often of the skin.
To me the difference between famine of God's Word and dryness would be when the Word is as readily available as it is today but the interest seems to be drying up. I've often use the example of the Gaither Singers versus many of today's concert idols. If one watches the Gaithers on TV the singers seem to have a glow about them. In contrast the more popular groups rely on pyrotechnics and often lewd on stage behavior with their less than pleasant music. No glow here, only a dryness.
Added Later:
As a child I memorized scripture, however, today I rely more on being able to look them up. I remember during the KI course, The Spiritual Disciplines - Part 1, we were told to be "Making deposits" into a sort of scripture saving account. Electronic gizmo's or not I often find myself quoting scripture when talking to people.
If we were to experience a severe EMP I'm going to be in deep trouble. That said, I have hard copies of the Bible and I've spent enough years studying the Bible to remember a fair amount of scripture. However, I would sure miss having a wealth of scripture contained on a tiny flash drive.
I remember watching the special dealing with the POW in Vietnam and their sharing of remembered Scripture. After the start of te tribulation that will likely be the mode of Bible study available to those who come to faith at that time.
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