Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, 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 the LORD:
Amos prophesies a devastating judgment worse than physical famine: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, 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 the LORD." The Hebrew hinneh yamim ba'im ne'um Adonai YHWH vehishlachti ra'av ba'aretz lo-ra'av lalechem velo-tzama lamayim ki im-lishmo'a et divrei-YHWH (הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא־רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא־צָמָא לַמַּיִם כִּי אִם־לִשְׁמֹעַ אֵת דִּבְרֵי־יְהוָה) describes divine silence as judgment.
The phrase "famine... of hearing the words of the LORD" (ra'av... lishmo'a et divrei-YHWH) is terrifying. Physical famine starves the body; spiritual famine starves the soul. Israel had rejected God's prophets (2:12, 7:12-13), silenced His messengers, and refused His word. Now God will grant their wish—removing His prophetic voice. They'll desperately seek divine guidance but find none (verse 12: "they shall wander from sea to sea... seeking the word of the LORD, and shall not find it").
This judgment demonstrates a sobering principle: God's patience has limits. When people persistently reject His word, He eventually withdraws it. Proverbs 1:24-28 warns: "Because I have called, and ye refused... then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer." Similarly, Ezekiel 7:26 prophesies: "they shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients." The ultimate form of divine judgment isn't destruction but abandonment—God giving people over to their chosen path (Romans 1:24, 26, 28).
For the church, this warns against despising preaching, ignoring Scripture, and silencing prophetic voices. Revelation 2-3 threatens removal of lampstands (churches) that lose first love or tolerate false teaching. Yet the New Covenant promise assures that God will never completely withdraw His word from His people—Christ promised the Spirit would guide into all truth (John 16:13), and His word endures forever (1 Peter 1:25). Still, individuals and churches can experience spiritual famine when they persistently reject sound doctrine. As 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns: "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... and they shall turn away their ears from the truth."
Historical Context
Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah, prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC). This was a time of territorial expansion and economic boom, creating massive wealth inequality. The wealthy elite oppressed the poor through debt slavery, corrupt courts, and economic exploitation. Despite maintaining elaborate worship at Bethel and Dan, Israel had abandoned covenant faithfulness for social injustice and religious syncretism. Amos condemned their exploitation of the vulnerable while predicting imminent judgment through Assyrian conquest. His prophecies were fulfilled when Assyria destroyed Israel in 722 BC, about 30 years after his ministry.
Amos was contemporary with Hosea and ministered during Israel's last period of prosperity before destruction. As a southerner from Judah called to prophesy in northern Israel, he was an unwelcome outsider delivering an unwanted message. His emphasis on social justice and his declaration that religious ritual cannot substitute for righteousness make his message perpetually relevant.
Questions for Reflection
How does Amos 8:11 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
Amos prophesies a devastating judgment worse than physical famine: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, 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 the LORD." The Hebrew hinneh yamim ba'im ne'um Adonai YHWH vehishlachti ra'av ba'aretz lo-ra'av lalechem velo-tzama lamayim ki im-lishmo'a et divrei-YHWH (הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא־רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא־צָמָא לַמַּיִם כִּי אִם־לִשְׁמֹעַ אֵת דִּבְרֵי־יְהוָה) describes divine silence as judgment.
The phrase "famine... of hearing the words of the LORD" (ra'av... lishmo'a et divrei-YHWH) is terrifying. Physical famine starves the body; spiritual famine starves the soul. Israel had rejected God's prophets (2:12, 7:12-13), silenced His messengers, and refused His word. Now God will grant their wish—removing His prophetic voice. They'll desperately seek divine guidance but find none (verse 12: "they shall wander from sea to sea... seeking the word of the LORD, and shall not find it").
This judgment demonstrates a sobering principle: God's patience has limits. When people persistently reject His word, He eventually withdraws it. Proverbs 1:24-28 warns: "Because I have called, and ye refused... then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer." Similarly, Ezekiel 7:26 prophesies: "they shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients." The ultimate form of divine judgment isn't destruction but abandonment—God giving people over to their chosen path (Romans 1:24, 26, 28).
For the church, this warns against despising preaching, ignoring Scripture, and silencing prophetic voices. Revelation 2-3 threatens removal of lampstands (churches) that lose first love or tolerate false teaching. Yet the New Covenant promise assures that God will never completely withdraw His word from His people—Christ promised the Spirit would guide into all truth (John 16:13), and His word endures forever (1 Peter 1:25). Still, individuals and churches can experience spiritual famine when they persistently reject sound doctrine. As 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns: "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... and they shall turn away their ears from the truth."