Amos 4:6-11

6 “I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth ^[a] and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

7 “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered.

8 People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

9 “I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

10 “I sent plagues among you like those of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camp, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

11 “Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand ^[b] snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

Amos 4:6-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 4

In this chapter, the great ones, or the people of Israel, are threatened with calamities for their oppression of the poor, Am 4:1-3; and in an ironic manner are reproved for their idolatry, Am 4:4,5; then follows an enumeration of several judgments that had been upon them, yet had had no effect on them, to bring them to repentance, nor even mercies, Am 4:6-11; and notwithstanding all this, in a wonderful gracious manner, they are called upon to prepare to meet their God, who is described by his power, greatness, and goodness, Am 4:12,13.

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, with empty stomachs
• [b]. That is, a burning stick