11 Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh,
“that I will send a famine in the land,
not a famine of bread,
nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of Yahweh. 12 They will wander from sea to sea,
and from the north even to the east;
they will run back and forth to seek the word of Yahweh,
and will not find it. 13 In that day the beautiful virgins
and the young men will faint for thirst. 14 Those who swear by the sin of Samaria,
and say, ‘As your god, Dan, lives;’
and, ‘As the way of Beersheba lives;’
they will fall, and never rise up 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.