Amos was a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa that God called to prophesy judgment – doom and captivity for Israel followed by eventual restoration. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of God’s Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership, and oppression of the poor.

That passage is a striking reminder that although God’s judgment against the sins of Israel would be severe, there would be another severe famine in the land. God would become silent and there would also be a famine of “hearing of the word of the Lord” – prophetic silence in the most troubling times.

I am so thankful that we have the written Word of God passed down through the centuries ensuring there would never again be a famine of hearing the Word of the Lord.

At the same time, is there a famine of “hearing the Word of the Lord” when the message of the cross of Christ we preach minimizes the seriousness of sin and God’s wrath against it while promises of health, wealth, prosperity and God’s wonderful plans for us take center stage?

Food for Thought

Be Blessed!