Amos 8:11

Amos 8:11

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:

a. NLT: “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.

b. NIV: “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

c. YLT: Lo, days are coming, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, And I have sent a famine into the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water But of hearing the words of Jehovah.

d. Amplified Bible: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but [a famine] for hearing the words of the Lord.

e. Septuagint: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send forth a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Behold, the days are coming, the word of the LORD HASHEM/ELOHIM, when I will send hunger into the land; not a hunger for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the words of HASHEM.

1). Amos prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, King of Judah and Jereboam II, King of Israel, between 786-746 B.C. When this prophetic utterance was fulfilled is unknown.

1. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD…”

a. Behold [Strong: 2009 hinneh hin-nay' prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.]

b. [the] days [Strong: 3117 yowm yome  from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, + chronicles, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.]

b. come [Strong: 935 bow' bo  a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, + besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken (in age), X surely, take (in), way.]

c. saith [Strong: 5002 n'um neh-oom' from 5001; an oracle:--(hath) said, saith.]

d. [the] Lord [Strong: 136 'Adonay ad-o-noy' an emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only):--(my) Lord.]

e. GOD [Strong: 3069Yhovih yeh-ho-vee'  a variation of 3068 (used after 136, and pronounced by Jews as 430, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce 3068 as 136):--God.]

2. “…that I will send a famine in the land…”

a. [that I will] send [Strong: 7971 shalach shaw-lakh'  a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).]

b. [a] famine [Strong: 7458 ra`ab raw-awb'  from 7456; hunger (more or less extensive):--dearth, famine, + famished, hunger.]

c. [in the] land [Strong: 776 'erets eh'-rets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.]

3. “…not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water…”

a. not [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

b. [a] famine [Strong: 7458  ra`ab raw-awb' from 7456; hunger (more or less extensive):--dearth, famine, + famished, hunger.]

c. [of] bread [Strong: 3899 lechem lekh'-em  from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.]

d. nor [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

e. [of] thirst [Strong: 6772 tsama' tsaw-maw' from 6770; thirst (literally or figuratively):--thirst(-y).]

d. [for] water [Strong: 4325 mayim mah'-yim of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+ piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).]

4. “…but of hearing the words of the LORD.”

a. but [Strong: 518 'im eem a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.]

b. [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

c. [of] hearing [Strong: 8085 shama` shaw-mah' a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.]

d. [the] words [Strong: 1697 dabar daw-baw'  from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.]

c. [of the] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

1). Although this is referring to ancient Israel, a spiritual condition similar to what is referred to here as a “famine of hearing the words of the Lord”, can plague contemporary Christians. Today in America we can find the word of God just about anywhere in libraries or bookstores. On the internet there are tens of thousands of sites that can help a believer or an unbeliever find just about anything they need about the word of God. But a spiritual condition that Israel suffered from can also afflict us if we allow it.

a). Isaiah 6:9, 10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 

6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 

2). This passage in Isaiah is speaking of a spiritual condition that anyone can fall into if they are not watchful. This same passage was quoted twice in the New Testament, once by Jesus .

a). Matthew 13:10-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(1) gross [Strong: 3975. pachuno pakh-oo'-no from a derivative of 4078 (meaning thick); to thicken, i.e. (by implication) to fatten (figuratively, stupefy or render callous):--wax gross.] [Thayer: thick, to grow fat, to make stupid, to render the soul dull or callous.]

(2) dull [Strong: 917 bareos bar-eh'-oce adverb from 926; heavily (figuratively):--dull.] [Thayer: heavily, with difficulty.]

(3) Jesus said of these people “their eyes they have closed”, they brought their own condition on themselves.

3). Paul also quoted this passage.

a). Acts 28:25-27 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

4). Dull of hearing, a condition spoken of by Jesus and Paul is a characteristic of being spiritually asleep.

a). Romans 11:7-10 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompence unto them:

11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

5). This condition is similar to drunkenness and produces spiritual ignorance.

a). Isaiah 29:9, 10 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

6). This drunken sleepy spiritual condition will be comfortable in a sinful life, full of spiritual ignorance. It is no wonder the Apostle Paul commanded the Corinthians to wake up and stop sinning!

a). 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

b). The Greek word for “awake” is “eknepo” [1594] and it means “primarily to return to one’s senses from drunkenness, to become sober.” It is no wonder then that Peter in his first epistle exhorts us three times to “be sober”. (1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8.) Where does it all begin? It begins when we are hearers of the only and not doers, of not walking in the light that has been revealed to us. The writer of Hebrews addressed this in his epistle.

7). Hebrews 5:10-14 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

a). Hebrews 5:10, 11 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 

(1) These Christians were spiritually lazy, not studying or meditating the word and not being doers of the Word.

(2) Amplified Bible:  Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even slothful in achieving spiritual insight].

b). Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

(1) These were not innocent new born Christian babies, these had “become such as have need of milk”. It occurred because of their  being “dull of hearing”, of not being doers of the word but hearers only, of not walking in the light revealed to them, of walking in disobedience.

c). Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

(1) The theme of eating and digesting the Word as a symbol of obedience to the Word is common in Scripture and this is but one example. The writer of Hebrews is saying those who only use milk or only drink the milk of the word are babies.

(2) One of the requirements for growth in the Body of Christ is spiritual nourishment from the Scriptures (1 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:1-6). 

d). Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

(1) use [Strong: 1838 1838. hexis hex'-is from 2192; habit, i.e. (by implication) practice:--use.] [Thayer:  a habit whether of body or mind, a power acquired by custom, practice, use.]

(2) senses [Strong: 145 145. aistheterion ahee-sthay-tay'-ree-on from a derivative of 143; properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:--senses.][Thayer: faculty of the mind for perceiving, understanding, judging.]

(3) exercised [Strong: 1128 1128. gumnazo goom-nad'-zo from 1131; to practise naked (in the games), i.e. train (figuratively):--exercise.] [Thayer: to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics), to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind.]

(4) discern [Strong: 1253 1253. diakrisis dee-ak'-ree-sis from 1252; judicial estimation:--discern(-ing), disputation.] [Thayer:a distinguishing, discerning, judging.]

(5) Looking at the Greek definitions it is clear that those believers who practice walking in obedience to the word of God are those who have their spiritual senses sharpened which in turn enables a discernment which is not experienced by those who are spiritual lazy. As a result, in the lives of lazy Christians there is going to be a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Jesus said, “To him who has ears to hear, let him hear.”