Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land--not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD,This phrase introduces a prophetic announcement, emphasizing the certainty and divine authority behind the message. The use of "Behold" serves as a call to attention, indicating the importance of what follows. The phrase "the days are coming" is often used in prophetic literature to signal future events that are part of God's sovereign plan. This is similar to other prophetic declarations found in Jeremiah 7:32 and Isaiah 39:6, where impending judgment or significant change is foretold. The title "Lord GOD" underscores the authority and sovereignty of God, reminding the audience of His ultimate control over history and events. Jer 31:31 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD,…
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD,…
Jer 7:32 So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD,…
when I will send a famine on the land— This phrase indicates that the coming event is a direct act of God, not a natural occurrence. In the ancient Near East, famines were often seen as divine judgments, as seen in Genesis 41 with the famine in Egypt. The "land" refers to Israel, highlighting that this judgment is specifically targeted at God's chosen people. The concept of famine as a divine tool is consistent with the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:23-24, where disobedience to God's commands results in agricultural and economic hardship. Ezk 14:13 Son of man, if a land sins against Me…
Ezk 5:16-17 When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine…
Jer 14:12 Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry;…
not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, Here, the prophecy distinguishes the nature of the coming famine. Unlike typical famines that involve physical deprivation, this famine is metaphorical. Bread and water are basic necessities for physical survival, and their mention underscores the severity of the deprivation that will be experienced. This distinction sets the stage for understanding the deeper spiritual implications of the prophecy, as physical needs are often used in scripture to illustrate spiritual truths, as seen in Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4:4, where He quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 about living by every word from the mouth of God. Deu 28:48 you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you…
Lam 4:4 The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst…
Ezk 4:16-17 Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off…
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. This phrase reveals the true nature of the famine: a spiritual deprivation. The "words of the LORD" refer to divine revelation, guidance, and instruction, which were delivered through prophets and the Law. The absence of God's word signifies a withdrawal of His presence and guidance, a severe judgment for a people who have repeatedly ignored His commands. This concept is echoed in 1 Samuel 3:1, where the word of the LORD was rare, indicating a period of spiritual barrenness. The famine of hearing God's word highlights the importance of spiritual nourishment and the dire consequences of its absence, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who provides the living water and bread of life (John 4:10, John 6:35). 1Sa 3:1 And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli.…
Lam 2:9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed…
Deu 8:3 He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna…
Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver messages to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focused on social justice and divine judgment. 2. IsraelThe northern kingdom, which was experiencing prosperity but also moral and spiritual decay. Amos directed his prophecies towards their injustices and idolatry. 3. The Lord GODThe sovereign deity of Israel, who speaks through Amos to warn of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience and neglect of His word. 4. FamineTypically understood as a severe shortage of food, but in this context, it symbolizes a lack of spiritual nourishment and guidance from God. 5. Hearing the Words of the LORDRefers to the reception and understanding of God's messages, which were delivered through His prophets. Teaching Points Spiritual HungerJust as physical hunger drives us to seek food, spiritual hunger should drive us to seek God's word. We must prioritize spiritual nourishment in our lives. Consequences of NeglectIgnoring God's word leads to spiritual famine. We must be diligent in studying and applying Scripture to avoid spiritual drought. Value of Prophetic VoiceThe absence of God's word is a severe judgment. We should cherish and heed the teachings of Scripture and those who faithfully proclaim it. Active ListeningHearing God's word requires more than passive listening; it demands active engagement and obedience. Preparation for Spiritual FamineIn times of spiritual abundance, we should store up God's word in our hearts to withstand future challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of a spiritual famine challenge your current approach to Bible study and prayer? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are actively "hearing" the words of the LORD in your daily life? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. How did you seek to remedy that situation, and what role did Scripture play? 4. How can the church community help prevent a spiritual famine among its members? 5. What steps can you take to prepare for potential spiritual challenges, ensuring you remain rooted in God's word? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 8:3This verse emphasizes that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD, highlighting the importance of spiritual sustenance. 1 Samuel 3:1Describes a time when the word of the LORD was rare, paralleling the spiritual famine Amos prophesies. Psalm 74:9Laments the absence of prophetic vision, similar to the famine of hearing God's words in Amos. Matthew 4:4Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, reinforcing the necessity of God's word for true life. 2 Timothy 4:3-4Warns of a time when people will turn away from sound doctrine, akin to the spiritual famine Amos describes. People Amos, Dan, Ephah, JacobPlaces Bethel, Egypt, Nile RiverTopics Affirmation, Behold, Bread, Declares, Desire, Famine, Hearing, Rather, Says, Sovereign, ThirstDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 8:11 4817 drought, spiritual
5341 hunger
5450 poverty, spiritual
8656 longing for God Amos 8:4-14 8807 profanity Amos 8:11-12 1690 word of God
4824 famine, spiritual Library Ripe for Gathering
'Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. 2. And He said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon My people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. 3. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. 4. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
HE that seriously considers the Constitution of the Christian Religion, observing the Excellency of its Doctrines, the Clearness of its Precepts, the Severity of its Threatnings, together with the Faithfulness of its Promises, and the Certainty of its Principles to trust to; such a one may justly be astonished, and admire what should be the reason that they who profess this not only the most excellent, but only true Religion in the World, should notwithstanding be generally as wicked, debauched and …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
(at Nain in Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 11-17. ^c 11 And it came to pass soon afterwards [many ancient authorities read on the next day], that he went into a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. [We find that Jesus had been thronged with multitudes pretty continuously since the choosing of his twelve apostles. Nain lies on the northern slope of the mountain, which the Crusaders called Little Hermon, between twenty and twenty-five miles south of Capernaum, and about …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
Who has not wondered, as they read of the Savior's and the apostles' warnings of "false teachers," grievous wolves, delusive powers, and deceptive lights, what it all could mean? These things certainly are not without meaning. Jesus says, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day A Serious Persuasive to Such a Method of Spending Our Days as is Represented in the Former Chapter.
1, 2. Christians fix their views too low, and indulge too indolent a disposition, which makes it more necessary to urge such a life as that under consideration.--3. It is therefore enforced, from its being apparently reasonable, considering ourselves as the creatures of God, and as redeemed by the blond of Christ.--4. From its evident tendency to conduce to our comfort in life.--5. From the influence it will have to promote our usefulness to others.--6. From its efficacy to make afflictions lighter.--7. …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Evening Light
This chapter is an article written by the author many years after she had received light on the unity of the church. It will acquaint the reader with what is meant by the expression "evening light." "At evening time it shall be light." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:6,7). The expression …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Concerning Christian Liberty
CHRISTIAN faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do, because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation. While he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Concerning Christian Liberty
Christian faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation; while he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—Concerning Christian Liberty The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture.
1. Some imagine that God elects or reprobates according to a foreknowledge of merit. Others make it a charge against God that he elects some and passes by others. Both refuted, 1. By invincible arguments; 2. By the testimony of Augustine. 2. Who are elected, when, in whom, to what, for what reason. 3. The reason is the good pleasure of God, which so reigns in election that no works, either past or future, are taken into consideration. This proved by notable declarations of one Savior and passages …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the Enjoyments of the Heavenly World.
John iii. 3. John iii. 3. --Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. IN order to demonstrate the necessity of regeneration, of which I would fain convince not only your understandings, but your consciences, I am now proving to you, that without it, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of God; and how weighty a consideration that is I am afterwards to represent. That it is thus impossible, the words in the text do indeed sufficiently prove: but for the further illustration …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Links Amos 8:11 NIVAmos 8:11 NLTAmos 8:11 ESVAmos 8:11 NASBAmos 8:11 KJV
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