11 "The time is surely coming," says the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord . 12 People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. 13 Beautiful girls and strong young men will grow faint in that day, thirsting for the Lord 's word. 14 And those who swear by the shameful idols of Samaria- who take oaths in the name of the god of Dan and make vows in the name of the god of Beersheba - they will all fall down, never to 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.