John Calvin Commentary Psalms 105:16

"And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread." — Psalms 105:16 (ASV)

And he called a famine upon the land. Here the inspired writer recounts a most illustrious proof of divine providence toward the chosen people, at the time when the covenant might seem to be void and annulled. The inheritance of the land of Canaan (as has been stated above) was added as an earnest or pledge for confirmation.

The descent of Jacob into Egypt, which deprived his house of the sight of the land, could not make the covenant perish. In this, the constancy of God shone forth all the brighter; indeed, by this trial He manifested more plainly how provident a Father He was in preserving the seed of Abraham.

But it is better to consider each particular in the verse. In the first place, it is taught that the famine which drove Jacob into Egypt did not happen by chance. Although only one particular famine is discussed here, it is to be held as a general principle that there is no other cause of any scarcity of sustenance except this: that God, in withdrawing His hand, takes away the means of support.

The curse of God is expressed more emphatically when it is said that the famine was called; as if it were ready at His command, like a minister of His wrath. By this we are instructed that famine, pestilence, and other scourges of God do not visit men by chance, but are directed by His hand wherever He pleases, and are obedient to His will.

The manner in which the famine was called is next stated, namely, when He brake the staff of bread. The metaphor of staff is very appropriate, for God has put into bread the power and property of strengthening man, by a secret virtue which fits it to sustain us.

As long as it pleases Him to nourish us by such means, a staff, as it were, lies hidden within it. This staff is broken in two ways:

1. When He takes away the supply of grain necessary for our nourishment; this seems to be the sense used in Ezekiel: Moreover, he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment; (Ezekiel 4:16).

2. When He breathes in anger upon the bread itself, so that those who would satisfy themselves by devouring it, instead of having their hunger thereby removed, remain famished still. And certainly, to the barrenness of the earth this second method is commonly added: namely, that He takes away the sustaining power which is in bread; for, as it is declared in Deuteronomy 8:3, bread does not give life of itself, but borrows its secret virtue from the mouth of God.