Amos 8:11
Verse
Context
The Basket of Summer Fruit
10I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. 11Behold, 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. 12People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
Sermons
Keith Daniel
Zac Poonen
David Wilkerson
John Piper
Richard Owen Roberts
Don Courville
Phil Beach Jr.Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A famine in the land - The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or would assure them of the mercy of God on their repentance and return to him. This is the severest of God's judgments on this side the worm that never dieth, and the fire that is never quenched.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
And at that time the light and comfort of the word of God will also fail them. Amo 8:11. "Behold, days come, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah, that I send a hungering into the land, not a hungering for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the words of Jehovah. Amo 8:12. And they will reel from sea to sea; and from the north, and even to the east, they sweep round to seek the word of Jehovah, and will not find it." The bitterness of the time of punishment is increased by the fact that the Lord will then withdrawn His word from them, i.e., the light of His revelation. They who will not now hear His word, as proclaimed by the prophets, will then cherish the greatest longing for it. Such hunger and thirst will be awakened by the distress and affliction that will come upon them. The intensity of this desire is depicted in Amo 8:12. They reel (נוּע as in Amo 4:8) from the sea to the sea; that is to say, not "from the Dead Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west," for Joe 2:20 and Zac 14:8 are not cases in point, as the two seas are defined there by distinct epithets; but as in Psa 72:8 and Zac 9:10, according to which the meaning is, from the sea to where the sea occurs again, at the other end of the world, "the sea being taken as the boundary of the earth" (Hupfeld). The other clause, "from the north even to the east," contains an abridged expression for "from north to south and from west to east," i.e., to every quarter of the globe.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
famine of . . . hearing the words of the Lord--a just retribution on those who now will not hear the Lord's prophets, nay even try to drive them away, as Amaziah did (Amo 7:12); they shall look in vain, in their distress, for divine counsel, such as the prophets now offer (Eze 7:26; Mic 3:7). Compare as to the Jews' rejection of Messiah, and their consequent rejection by Him (Mat 21:43); and their desire for Messiah too late (Luk 17:22; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21). So, the prodigal when he had sojourned awhile in the "far-off country, began to be in want" in the "mighty famine" which arose (Luk 15:14; compare Sa1 3:1; Sa1 7:2). It is remarkable that the Jews' religion is almost the only one that could be abolished against the will of the people themselves, on account of its being dependent on a particular place, namely, the temple. When that was destroyed, the Mosaic ritual, which could not exist without it, necessarily ceased. Providence designed it, that, as the law gave way to the Gospel, so all men should perceive it was so, in spite of the Jews' obstinate rejection of the Gospel.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God,.... Which Kimchi interprets of all the days of the second house or temple after Malachi, when prophecy ceased; but it rather has respect to the time of Shalmaneser's carrying captive the ten tribes, when they had no more prophets nor prophecy among them, or any to tell how long their captivity should last, or when it would be better times with them, Psa 74:9; that I will send a famine in the land; which, in a literal sense, is one of God's arrows he has in his quiver, and sends out when he pleases; or one of his sore judgments, which he sometimes orders to come upon a people for their sins: but here is meant, not a famine of bread; or through want of that, which is very dreadful; as was the famine of Samaria, when an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and a certain measure of dove's dung for five pieces of silver, Kg2 6:25; and as were the famines of Jerusalem, when taken both by the Chaldeans and Romans, when delicate women boiled and ate their own children, Lam 4:8; nor a thirst for water; which is more distressing and tormenting than hunger; and to be slain with thirst is to be destroyed in the most afflictive manner, Hos 2:3. Lysimachus is said to part with his kingdom for a draught of water; and the torments of hell are set forth by a violent thirst for it, Luk 16:24; but something worse than either of these is here threatened: but of hearing the words of the Lord; the word of prophecy, and the preaching of the word, or explaining the Scriptures. Of this blessing the ten tribes were deprived at their captivity, and have been ever since; and the Jews, upon their rejection of Christ, have had the kingdom of God, the Gospel of the kingdom, the word and ordinances of God, taken from them, and remain so to this day; the seven churches of Asia have had their candlestick removed out of its place, and this famine continues in those parts to this time; and, by the symptoms upon us, we may justly fear it, will be our case before long. "The words of the Lord" are the Scriptures, which cone from him, and are concerning him; the doctrines of grace contained in them, the wholesome words of Christ: hearing them signifies the preaching of them, Isa 53:1; by which hearing comes, and is a great blessing, and should be attended to, as being the means of conversion, regenerations, the knowledge of Christ, faith in him, and the joy of it. Now, to be deprived of hearing the Gospel is a spiritual famine, for that is food, bread, meat, milk, honey, yea, a feast; it is food that is savoury, wholesome, nourishing, satisfying, strengthening, and comforting; and when this is took away a famine ensues, as when a church state is dissolved, ministers are ordered to preach no more in such a place, or are scattered by persecution, or removed by death, and none raised up in their stead; or when error prevails, to the suppressing of truth: all which is done, or suffered to be done, for indifference to the word of God, unfruitfulness under it, and contempt of it, and, opposition to it; which is a dreadful case, when such a famine is; for the glory, riches, and light of a nation, are gone; bread for their souls is no more; and the means of conversion, knowledge, comfort, &c. cease; and people in course must die, for lack of these things; see Isa 3:1.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In these verses is threatened, I. A general judgment of spiritual famine coming upon the whole land, a famine of the word of God, the failing of oracles and the scarcity of good preaching. This is spoken of as a thing at some distance: The days come, they will come hereafter, when another kind of darkness shall come upon that land of light. When Amos prophesied, and for a considerable time after, they had great plenty of prophets, abundant opportunities of hearing the word of God, in season and out of season; they had precept upon precept and line upon line; prophecy was their daily bread; and it is probable that they surfeited upon it, as Israel on the manna, and therefore God threatens that hereafter he will deprive them of this privilege. Probably in the land of Israel there were not so many prophets, about the time that their destruction came upon them, as there were in the land of Judah; and when the ten tribes went into captivity they saw not their signs, there were no more any prophets, none to show them how long, Psa 74:9. The Jewish church, after Malachi, had no prophets for many ages; and some think this threatening looks further yet, to the blindness which has in part happened to Israel in the days of the Messiah, and the veil that is on the heart of the unbelieving Jews. They reject the gospel, and the ministers of it that God sends to them, and covet to have prophets of their own, as their fathers had, but they shall have none, the kingdom of God being taken from them and given to another people. Observe here, 1. What the judgment itself is that is threatened. It is a famine, a scarcity, not of bread and water (which are the necessary support of the body, and the want of which is very grievous), but a much sorer judgment than that, even a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. There shall be no congregations for ministers to preach to, nor any ministers to preach, nor any instructions and abilities given to those that do set up for preachers, to fit them for their work. The word of the Lord shall be precious and scarce; there shall be no vision, Sa1 3:1. They shall have the written word, Bibles to read, but no ministers to explain and apply it to them, the water in the well, but nothing to draw with. It is a gracious promise (Isa 30:20) that though they have a scarcity of bread they shall have plenty of the means of grace. God will give them the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but their eyes shall see their teachers; and it was a common saying among the Puritans that brown bread and the gospel are good fare. But it is here a threatening that on the contrary they should have plenty enough of bread and water, and yet their teachers should be removed. Now, (1.) This was the departure of a great part of their glory from their land. This made their nation great and high, that to them were committed the oracles of God; but, when these were taken from them, their beauty was stained and their honour laid in the dust. (2.) This was a token of God's highest displeasure against them. Surely he was angry indeed with them when he would no more speak to them as he had done, and had abandoned them to ruin when he would no more afford them the means of bringing them to repentance. (3.) This made all the other calamities that were upon them truly melancholy, that they had no prophets to instruct and comfort them from the word of God, nor to give them any hopeful prospect. We should say at any time, and shall say in a time of trouble, that a famine of the word of God is the sorest famine, the heaviest judgment. 2. What will be the effect of this (Amo 8:12): They shall wander from sea to sea, from the sea of Tiberias to the Great Sea, from one border of the country to another, to see if God will send them prophets, either by sea or land, from other countries; since they have none among themselves, they shall go from the north to the east; when they are disappointed in one place they shall try another, and shall run to and fro, as men at a loss, and in a hot pursuit to seek the word of the Lord, to enquire if there be any prophets, any prophecy, any message from God, but they shall not find it. (1.) Though to many this is no affliction at all, yet some will be very sensible of it as a great grievance, and will gladly travel far to hear a good sermon; but they shall sensibly feel the loss of those mercies which others have foolishly sinned away. (2.) Even those that slighted prophets when they had them shall wish for them as Saul did for Samuel, when they are deprived of them. Many never know the worth of mercies till they feel the want of them. Or it may be meant thus, Though they should thus wander from sea to sea, in quest of the word of God, yet shall they not find it. Note, The means of grace are moveable things; and the candlestick, when we think it stands most firmly, may be removed out of its place (Rev 2:5); and those that now slight the days of the son of man may wish in vain to see them. And in the day of this famine the fair virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst (Amo 8:13); those who, one would think, could well enough have borne the toil, shall sink under it. The Jewish churches, and the masters of their synagogues, some take to be meant by the virgins and the young men; these shall lose the word of the Lord, and the benefit of divine revelation, and shall faint away for want of it, shall lose all their strength and beauty. Those that trust in their own merit and righteousness, and think they have no need of Christ, others take to be meant by the fair virgins and the choice young men; they shall faint for thirst, when those that hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ shall be abundantly satisfied and filled. II. The particular destruction of those that were ringleaders in idolatry, Amo 8:14. Observe, 1. The sin they are charged with: They swear by the sin of Samaria, that is, by the god of Samaria, the idol that was worshipped at Bethel, not far off from Samaria. Thus did they glory in their shame, and swear by them as their god which was their iniquity, thinking that could help them which would certainly ruin them, and giving the highest honour to that which they should have looked upon with the utmost abhorrence and detestation. They say, Thy god, O Dan! liveth; that was the other golden calf, a dumb deal idol, and yet caressed and complimented as if it had been the living and true God. They say, The manner, or way, of Beer-sheba liveth; they swore by the religion of Beer-sheba, the way and manner of worship used there, which they looked upon as sacred, and therefore swore by and appealed to as a judge of controversy. Thus the papists swear by the mass, as the manner of Beer-sheba. 2. The destruction they are threatened with. Those who thus give that honour to idols which is due to God alone will find that the God they affront is thereby made their enemy, so that they shall fall, and the gods they serve cannot stand their friends, so that they shall never rise again. They will find that God is jealous and will resent the indignity done him, and that he will be victorious and it is to no purpose to contend with him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:11-14 famine . . . of hearing the words of the Lord: God sent prophets to Israel to speak his words directly to them, but Israel commanded the prophets not to prophesy (2:11-12). Now they had what they wanted, but it was a silence more terrible than his roar and thunder: God became distant (see Ezek 7:26; 20:3; Mic 3:4, 7). The time for speaking was over; the time of judgment had come.
Amos 8:11
The Basket of Summer Fruit
10I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. 11Behold, 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. 12People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Revival Among the Dry Bones
By Keith Daniel3.2K1:19:51RevivalAMO 8:11MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God with a desperate heart and spirit. He shares a personal experience of praying and weeping for three consecutive days, seeking a message from God. The speaker highlights the need for preachers to have a revelation of the true spiritual state of the people they preach to, just as God sees them. He emphasizes that revival can only come when preachers have a brokenness and desperation for God's presence and holiness. The sermon references the story of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones as an example of God's ability to bring revival and transform hearts.
(Genesis) - Part 28
By Zac Poonen2.3K57:40AfflictionGEN 41:44GEN 42:29AMO 8:11MAT 28:18In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Pharaoh's dream in Genesis 41. Pharaoh had a dream about seven fat cows being eaten by seven thin cows, and then seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. The preacher emphasizes that God knows the appointed time to give dreams and that there is an exactness to the consequences of our actions. He also highlights the importance of being kind and good to others, as God is merciful to the merciful. The preacher concludes by urging listeners to learn from the ants and be wise with their resources, saving during times of abundance to prepare for times of need.
Audio Sermon: The Famine Has Begun
By David Wilkerson1.6K49:54JER 1:5AMO 8:11JON 3:1
This sermon is a powerful message about the famine of hearing the word of the Lord, emphasizing the importance of receiving convicting, Holy Ghost preaching in a time of spiritual famine. The speaker highlights the need for true repentance, righteousness, and the role of anointed preachers in warning and guiding people back to God. The sermon calls for a return to seeking the word of the Lord and emphasizes the significance of being fed spiritually in a time of confusion and false teachings.
2001 Advent Week 2 - Prodigal's Sister
By John Piper1.2K15:59PSA 37:20PSA 50:3PSA 95:6ISA 55:6AMO 8:11MAT 6:33LUK 15:11In this sermon transcript, a woman is depicted watching a beautiful sunset and reflecting on the heritage of her ancestors. She wonders where she should stay for the night and prays for guidance. As she looks up, she sees an old man walking towards her, singing a familiar song. The woman realizes that the man may be related to her and asks him for a place to stay. The old man reveals that he knows her father and has been keeping an eye on her brother, who is struggling to survive. The woman expresses her gratitude and decides to wait for her brother in a shed nearby. The old man shares that her father has been trying to bring her brother home for ten years, showing him that there is hope and joy in their family. The woman thanks the old man and asks about the length of the famine mentioned in the song she heard.
Isaiah 44 - Unbelief, Faithlessness and Revival
By Richard Owen Roberts6501:27:13ISA 44:3JER 2:13JOL 2:23AMO 8:11MAT 5:6JHN 7:37REV 22:17
This sermon emphasizes the importance of thirsting for God and the need for revival. It challenges believers to have a deep hunger and thirst for God, to pray with urgency and faith for revival, and to intercede for the salvation of the lost and the unborn children. The message highlights the impact of spiritual dryness, the necessity of repentance, and the power of faith-filled, passionate prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the glory of God's name.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 114
By Don Courville33625:55Radio ShowAMO 8:11MAT 23:37In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a Welsh evangelist who was feeling cold and distant from God in his preaching and personal life. The evangelist decided to spend three hours in prayer in the woods, asking God to break his cold heart and fill him with love for lost souls. After this experience, the evangelist noticed a significant change in his preaching, with the Word of God being attended with power and people being deeply moved. The preacher emphasizes the importance of personal revival and getting connected with Jesus in order to experience true revival in our churches and communities.
A Famine of the Word of God
By Phil Beach Jr.3222:28Hearing God's WordWord Of GodSpiritual HungerAMO 8:11MAT 13:10Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the critical need for true hearing of God's Word, as prophesied in Amos 8:11, where a famine of hearing, rather than a lack of preaching, is prevalent. He explains that many are listening but not truly hearing, leading to spiritual thirst and fainting among believers. The sermon calls for humility and a heart posture that allows individuals to genuinely hear and respond to God's voice, rather than merely accumulating knowledge. Beach warns that without this true hearing, even the most profound teachings will not transform lives. He encourages the congregation to seek a deeper connection with God, asking for hearts that are open to His Word.
To Preach the Acceptable Year of the Lord's Soon Return
By Timothy Tow0AMO 8:11ZEC 4:6MAT 5:3LUK 4:18REV 22:17Timothy Tow preaches a prophetic message focusing on the urgency of Christ's potential return within the next decade, warning about the outbreak of World War III and the need for spiritual readiness. He emphasizes the importance of relying on the anointing of the Holy Spirit rather than human strength, especially as pastors tasked with preaching the Gospel and feeding the spiritually hungry. Tow urges believers to diligently study God's Word, minister to the brokenhearted, captives, and blind, and prepare for the acceptable year of the Lord's return.
Time of One of the Greatest Revival
By Milton Green0AMO 8:11MAT 7:211CO 2:4EPH 5:272TI 4:3Milton Green addresses the current state of the Church, pointing out the discrepancy between the outward manifestations of growth and revival and the lack of true spiritual transformation within the lives of many church members. He highlights the prevalence of sin and worldly behaviors among believers, leading to a spiritual emptiness and a search for genuine faith and holiness. Green emphasizes the need for a return to the foundational truths of the Gospel and a genuine pursuit of God's Word, rather than relying on entertainment, charismatic leaders, and superficial messages of peace and safety.
Bible Survey - Amos
By Peter Hammond0AMO 3:8AMO 5:10AMO 5:21AMO 6:8AMO 7:1AMO 8:11AMO 9:1AMO 9:11ACT 15:15Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Amos, a humble and bold shepherd who fearlessly proclaimed God's truth to the Northern tribes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity. Amos condemned idolatry, social sin, and injustice, warning of God's judgment on nations and individuals. He emphasized the importance of seeking God, establishing justice, and living righteously. Amos prayed for God's mercy and interceded for the people, showing the power of prayer in affecting God's decisions. The prophet also spoke of restoration, the consequences of rejecting God's Word, and the coming harvest under the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Picture of a Prophet
By Leonard Ravenhill0ProphecySpiritual LeadershipISA 58:1JER 1:5EZK 3:17AMO 8:11MAT 5:10LUK 6:26JHN 15:18ROM 12:22TI 4:21PE 4:14Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the role of the prophet as one who is fully accepted by God yet often rejected by society. He argues that true prophets challenge complacency and call for repentance, often facing hostility for their uncompromising messages. Ravenhill laments the current lack of prophets in the church, highlighting the urgent need for voices that speak truth in a time of moral and spiritual decline. He calls for men of God who are selfless, dedicated, and willing to confront the status quo, urging the church to seek out these prophetic figures to lead them back to God. Ultimately, he stresses that the greatest famine today is not of food, but of hearing the Word of God.
Where Do We Go to Eat?
By David Wilkerson0The Word of GodSpiritual HungerAMO 8:11MIC 7:1David Wilkerson delivers a poignant message from Micah 7, addressing the spiritual famine affecting both ancient Israel and the modern church. He highlights the desperate cry of believers who feel starved for God's Word, echoing the prophecy of Amos about a coming famine not of food, but of hearing the Lord's words. Wilkerson paints a vivid picture of people searching for spiritual nourishment in vain, as they find no true clusters of fruit in the vineyards of faith. He emphasizes that while many seek the truth, only a remnant genuinely desires the pure Word of God, contrasting this with the prevalence of distorted teachings in today's churches.
Amos 8:11
By Chuck Smith0Famine for the WordSpiritual HungerPSA 119:105ISA 55:2JER 29:13AMO 8:11MAT 5:6JHN 6:35ROM 10:172TI 4:3HEB 4:121PE 2:2Chuck Smith addresses the alarming famine for the Word of God, emphasizing that while the Bible remains widely available, many fail to hear or understand its message. He explains that this famine arises from humanity's tendency to substitute the Creator with created things, leading to a spiritual void and restlessness, particularly among the youth. Smith warns that idolatry and materialism contribute to this famine, leaving society searching for fulfillment in the wrong places. He calls for a return to God, urging individuals to abandon their idols and seek the Lord earnestly to hear His voice once more.
The Famine Has Begun (Excerpt)
By David Wilkerson0Spiritual FaminePreachingJER 1:5AMO 8:11JON 1:2JON 3:4MAT 28:19ROM 10:141CO 1:21TIT 1:3HEB 4:122PE 2:5David Wilkerson emphasizes the critical role of preaching in God's plan to address the spiritual famine in society, highlighting that God has always sent prophets and preachers to deliver His message. He draws parallels from biblical examples, such as Noah and Jonah, to illustrate that God’s method for warning and redeeming nations is through the proclamation of His Word. Wilkerson warns that our current generation is in dire need of powerful, convicting preaching, as it faces greater moral decay than past societies. He asserts that the only solution to this spiritual crisis is the anointed preaching of the Gospel, not political or social efforts. Ultimately, he calls for a return to bold, uncompromising preaching to awaken hearts before judgment comes.
A Famine for the Hearing of the Word
By Art Katz0Hearing the Word of GodSpiritual GrowthAMO 8:11Art Katz emphasizes the critical need for God's people to truly hear and internalize His word, warning that a famine of hearing is more dangerous than a famine of bread. He observes that many believers receive the word casually, leading to spiritual malnutrition and immaturity, as they fail to recognize the transformative power of God's message. Katz urges the congregation to cultivate a mindset of reverence and attentiveness towards the word, highlighting that true hearing requires grace and humility. He draws parallels between the indifference towards God's word and the consequences of spiritual numbness, calling for a return to a heart posture that cherishes and acts upon the teachings of Scripture. Ultimately, he challenges listeners to elevate their expectations of God's word and to submit to its authority for genuine spiritual growth.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A famine in the land - The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or would assure them of the mercy of God on their repentance and return to him. This is the severest of God's judgments on this side the worm that never dieth, and the fire that is never quenched.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
And at that time the light and comfort of the word of God will also fail them. Amo 8:11. "Behold, days come, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah, that I send a hungering into the land, not a hungering for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the words of Jehovah. Amo 8:12. And they will reel from sea to sea; and from the north, and even to the east, they sweep round to seek the word of Jehovah, and will not find it." The bitterness of the time of punishment is increased by the fact that the Lord will then withdrawn His word from them, i.e., the light of His revelation. They who will not now hear His word, as proclaimed by the prophets, will then cherish the greatest longing for it. Such hunger and thirst will be awakened by the distress and affliction that will come upon them. The intensity of this desire is depicted in Amo 8:12. They reel (נוּע as in Amo 4:8) from the sea to the sea; that is to say, not "from the Dead Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west," for Joe 2:20 and Zac 14:8 are not cases in point, as the two seas are defined there by distinct epithets; but as in Psa 72:8 and Zac 9:10, according to which the meaning is, from the sea to where the sea occurs again, at the other end of the world, "the sea being taken as the boundary of the earth" (Hupfeld). The other clause, "from the north even to the east," contains an abridged expression for "from north to south and from west to east," i.e., to every quarter of the globe.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
famine of . . . hearing the words of the Lord--a just retribution on those who now will not hear the Lord's prophets, nay even try to drive them away, as Amaziah did (Amo 7:12); they shall look in vain, in their distress, for divine counsel, such as the prophets now offer (Eze 7:26; Mic 3:7). Compare as to the Jews' rejection of Messiah, and their consequent rejection by Him (Mat 21:43); and their desire for Messiah too late (Luk 17:22; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21). So, the prodigal when he had sojourned awhile in the "far-off country, began to be in want" in the "mighty famine" which arose (Luk 15:14; compare Sa1 3:1; Sa1 7:2). It is remarkable that the Jews' religion is almost the only one that could be abolished against the will of the people themselves, on account of its being dependent on a particular place, namely, the temple. When that was destroyed, the Mosaic ritual, which could not exist without it, necessarily ceased. Providence designed it, that, as the law gave way to the Gospel, so all men should perceive it was so, in spite of the Jews' obstinate rejection of the Gospel.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God,.... Which Kimchi interprets of all the days of the second house or temple after Malachi, when prophecy ceased; but it rather has respect to the time of Shalmaneser's carrying captive the ten tribes, when they had no more prophets nor prophecy among them, or any to tell how long their captivity should last, or when it would be better times with them, Psa 74:9; that I will send a famine in the land; which, in a literal sense, is one of God's arrows he has in his quiver, and sends out when he pleases; or one of his sore judgments, which he sometimes orders to come upon a people for their sins: but here is meant, not a famine of bread; or through want of that, which is very dreadful; as was the famine of Samaria, when an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and a certain measure of dove's dung for five pieces of silver, Kg2 6:25; and as were the famines of Jerusalem, when taken both by the Chaldeans and Romans, when delicate women boiled and ate their own children, Lam 4:8; nor a thirst for water; which is more distressing and tormenting than hunger; and to be slain with thirst is to be destroyed in the most afflictive manner, Hos 2:3. Lysimachus is said to part with his kingdom for a draught of water; and the torments of hell are set forth by a violent thirst for it, Luk 16:24; but something worse than either of these is here threatened: but of hearing the words of the Lord; the word of prophecy, and the preaching of the word, or explaining the Scriptures. Of this blessing the ten tribes were deprived at their captivity, and have been ever since; and the Jews, upon their rejection of Christ, have had the kingdom of God, the Gospel of the kingdom, the word and ordinances of God, taken from them, and remain so to this day; the seven churches of Asia have had their candlestick removed out of its place, and this famine continues in those parts to this time; and, by the symptoms upon us, we may justly fear it, will be our case before long. "The words of the Lord" are the Scriptures, which cone from him, and are concerning him; the doctrines of grace contained in them, the wholesome words of Christ: hearing them signifies the preaching of them, Isa 53:1; by which hearing comes, and is a great blessing, and should be attended to, as being the means of conversion, regenerations, the knowledge of Christ, faith in him, and the joy of it. Now, to be deprived of hearing the Gospel is a spiritual famine, for that is food, bread, meat, milk, honey, yea, a feast; it is food that is savoury, wholesome, nourishing, satisfying, strengthening, and comforting; and when this is took away a famine ensues, as when a church state is dissolved, ministers are ordered to preach no more in such a place, or are scattered by persecution, or removed by death, and none raised up in their stead; or when error prevails, to the suppressing of truth: all which is done, or suffered to be done, for indifference to the word of God, unfruitfulness under it, and contempt of it, and, opposition to it; which is a dreadful case, when such a famine is; for the glory, riches, and light of a nation, are gone; bread for their souls is no more; and the means of conversion, knowledge, comfort, &c. cease; and people in course must die, for lack of these things; see Isa 3:1.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In these verses is threatened, I. A general judgment of spiritual famine coming upon the whole land, a famine of the word of God, the failing of oracles and the scarcity of good preaching. This is spoken of as a thing at some distance: The days come, they will come hereafter, when another kind of darkness shall come upon that land of light. When Amos prophesied, and for a considerable time after, they had great plenty of prophets, abundant opportunities of hearing the word of God, in season and out of season; they had precept upon precept and line upon line; prophecy was their daily bread; and it is probable that they surfeited upon it, as Israel on the manna, and therefore God threatens that hereafter he will deprive them of this privilege. Probably in the land of Israel there were not so many prophets, about the time that their destruction came upon them, as there were in the land of Judah; and when the ten tribes went into captivity they saw not their signs, there were no more any prophets, none to show them how long, Psa 74:9. The Jewish church, after Malachi, had no prophets for many ages; and some think this threatening looks further yet, to the blindness which has in part happened to Israel in the days of the Messiah, and the veil that is on the heart of the unbelieving Jews. They reject the gospel, and the ministers of it that God sends to them, and covet to have prophets of their own, as their fathers had, but they shall have none, the kingdom of God being taken from them and given to another people. Observe here, 1. What the judgment itself is that is threatened. It is a famine, a scarcity, not of bread and water (which are the necessary support of the body, and the want of which is very grievous), but a much sorer judgment than that, even a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. There shall be no congregations for ministers to preach to, nor any ministers to preach, nor any instructions and abilities given to those that do set up for preachers, to fit them for their work. The word of the Lord shall be precious and scarce; there shall be no vision, Sa1 3:1. They shall have the written word, Bibles to read, but no ministers to explain and apply it to them, the water in the well, but nothing to draw with. It is a gracious promise (Isa 30:20) that though they have a scarcity of bread they shall have plenty of the means of grace. God will give them the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but their eyes shall see their teachers; and it was a common saying among the Puritans that brown bread and the gospel are good fare. But it is here a threatening that on the contrary they should have plenty enough of bread and water, and yet their teachers should be removed. Now, (1.) This was the departure of a great part of their glory from their land. This made their nation great and high, that to them were committed the oracles of God; but, when these were taken from them, their beauty was stained and their honour laid in the dust. (2.) This was a token of God's highest displeasure against them. Surely he was angry indeed with them when he would no more speak to them as he had done, and had abandoned them to ruin when he would no more afford them the means of bringing them to repentance. (3.) This made all the other calamities that were upon them truly melancholy, that they had no prophets to instruct and comfort them from the word of God, nor to give them any hopeful prospect. We should say at any time, and shall say in a time of trouble, that a famine of the word of God is the sorest famine, the heaviest judgment. 2. What will be the effect of this (Amo 8:12): They shall wander from sea to sea, from the sea of Tiberias to the Great Sea, from one border of the country to another, to see if God will send them prophets, either by sea or land, from other countries; since they have none among themselves, they shall go from the north to the east; when they are disappointed in one place they shall try another, and shall run to and fro, as men at a loss, and in a hot pursuit to seek the word of the Lord, to enquire if there be any prophets, any prophecy, any message from God, but they shall not find it. (1.) Though to many this is no affliction at all, yet some will be very sensible of it as a great grievance, and will gladly travel far to hear a good sermon; but they shall sensibly feel the loss of those mercies which others have foolishly sinned away. (2.) Even those that slighted prophets when they had them shall wish for them as Saul did for Samuel, when they are deprived of them. Many never know the worth of mercies till they feel the want of them. Or it may be meant thus, Though they should thus wander from sea to sea, in quest of the word of God, yet shall they not find it. Note, The means of grace are moveable things; and the candlestick, when we think it stands most firmly, may be removed out of its place (Rev 2:5); and those that now slight the days of the son of man may wish in vain to see them. And in the day of this famine the fair virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst (Amo 8:13); those who, one would think, could well enough have borne the toil, shall sink under it. The Jewish churches, and the masters of their synagogues, some take to be meant by the virgins and the young men; these shall lose the word of the Lord, and the benefit of divine revelation, and shall faint away for want of it, shall lose all their strength and beauty. Those that trust in their own merit and righteousness, and think they have no need of Christ, others take to be meant by the fair virgins and the choice young men; they shall faint for thirst, when those that hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ shall be abundantly satisfied and filled. II. The particular destruction of those that were ringleaders in idolatry, Amo 8:14. Observe, 1. The sin they are charged with: They swear by the sin of Samaria, that is, by the god of Samaria, the idol that was worshipped at Bethel, not far off from Samaria. Thus did they glory in their shame, and swear by them as their god which was their iniquity, thinking that could help them which would certainly ruin them, and giving the highest honour to that which they should have looked upon with the utmost abhorrence and detestation. They say, Thy god, O Dan! liveth; that was the other golden calf, a dumb deal idol, and yet caressed and complimented as if it had been the living and true God. They say, The manner, or way, of Beer-sheba liveth; they swore by the religion of Beer-sheba, the way and manner of worship used there, which they looked upon as sacred, and therefore swore by and appealed to as a judge of controversy. Thus the papists swear by the mass, as the manner of Beer-sheba. 2. The destruction they are threatened with. Those who thus give that honour to idols which is due to God alone will find that the God they affront is thereby made their enemy, so that they shall fall, and the gods they serve cannot stand their friends, so that they shall never rise again. They will find that God is jealous and will resent the indignity done him, and that he will be victorious and it is to no purpose to contend with him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:11-14 famine . . . of hearing the words of the Lord: God sent prophets to Israel to speak his words directly to them, but Israel commanded the prophets not to prophesy (2:11-12). Now they had what they wanted, but it was a silence more terrible than his roar and thunder: God became distant (see Ezek 7:26; 20:3; Mic 3:4, 7). The time for speaking was over; the time of judgment had come.