Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
God's reversal of provision: 'Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.' Since Israel credited Baal for God's gifts (v. 8), God withdraws them. The Hebrew emphasizes divine ownership: 'MY corn...MY wine...MY wool...MY flax.' Everything belongs to God; we're stewards, not owners. 'In the time thereof...in the season thereof' indicates God's sovereign timing—He gives and withdraws according to His purposes. 'Recover' (hitsalti) means snatch away, rescue from misuse. 'Given to cover her nakedness' recalls verse 3's threat to strip her naked—without God's provision, shame is exposed. This demonstrates that all blessing flows from God's grace; when misused for idolatry, He righteously reclaims it. James 1:17 declares 'every good gift comes from the Father.' Recognizing God's ownership produces gratitude and stewardship.
Historical Context
Historically fulfilled through agricultural disasters (drought, locusts, Amos 4:6-10) and Assyrian conquest stripping Israel's wealth. When people attribute God's gifts to false sources, He removes them to expose the truth. This principle operates continually: prosperity apart from acknowledgment of God often leads to loss, teaching dependence. Israel's cycle of apostasy-judgment-restoration (Judges) demonstrates this pattern. Jesus's parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) illustrates the same truth: accumulating God's blessings without recognizing Him as source leads to loss. Only those who steward gifts in recognition of the Giver experience lasting blessing.
Questions for Reflection
Do I recognize that everything I possess—income, possessions, abilities—belongs to God and is entrusted to me for stewardship?
How might God 'take away' blessings I've misused or misattributed to expose my dependence on Him?
Analysis & Commentary
God's reversal of provision: 'Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.' Since Israel credited Baal for God's gifts (v. 8), God withdraws them. The Hebrew emphasizes divine ownership: 'MY corn...MY wine...MY wool...MY flax.' Everything belongs to God; we're stewards, not owners. 'In the time thereof...in the season thereof' indicates God's sovereign timing—He gives and withdraws according to His purposes. 'Recover' (hitsalti) means snatch away, rescue from misuse. 'Given to cover her nakedness' recalls verse 3's threat to strip her naked—without God's provision, shame is exposed. This demonstrates that all blessing flows from God's grace; when misused for idolatry, He righteously reclaims it. James 1:17 declares 'every good gift comes from the Father.' Recognizing God's ownership produces gratitude and stewardship.