11 "Behold , days are coming ," declares the Lord GOD , "When I will send a famine on the land , Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water , But rather e for hearing the words of the Lord . 12 "People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east ; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord , But they will not find it. 13 "In that day the beautiful virgins And the young men will faint from thirst . 14 "As for those who swear by the guilt of Samaria , Who say , 'As your god lives , O Dan ,' And, 'As the way of Beersheba lives ,' They will fall and not rise again ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 8:11-14
Commentary on Amos 8:11-14
(Read Amos 8:11-14)
Here was a token of God's highest displeasure. At any time, and most in a time of trouble, a famine of the word of God is the heaviest judgment. To many this is no affliction, yet some will feel it very much, and will travel far to hear a good sermon; they feel the loss of the mercies others foolishly sin away. But when God visits a backsliding church, their own plans and endeavours to find out a way of salvation, will stand them in no stead. And the most amiable and zealous would perish, for want of the water of life, which Christ only can bestow. Let us value our advantages, seek to profit by them, and fear sinning them away.