Amos 4:6-11

God's Discipline and Israel's Apostasy

6 I gave you absolutely nothing to eat^[a] in all your cities, a shortage of food in all your communities, yet you did not return to Me- the Lord's declaration.

7 I also withheld the rain from you^[b] while there were still three months until harvest. I sent rain on one city but no rain on another. One field received rain while a field with no rain withered.^[c]

8 Two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water but were not satisfied, yet you did not return to Me- the Lord's declaration.

9 I struck you with blight and mildew;^[d] the locust devoured your many gardens and vineyards, your fig trees and olive trees,^[e] yet you did not return to Me- the Lord's declaration.

10 I sent plagues like those of Egypt;^[f] I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I caused the stench of your camp to fill your nostrils,^[g] yet you did not return to Me- the Lord's declaration.

11 I overthrew some of you as I^[h] overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,^[i] and you were like a burning stick snatched from a fire,^[j] yet you did not return to Me- the Lord's declaration.

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] Lit you cleanness of teeth
• [b] Jr 3:1-3; 5:23-25
• [c] Lv 26:18-19; Jl 1:10-12
• [d] Dt 28:22; Hg 2:17
• [e] Dt 28:38-42; Jl 1:4-7,12
• [f] Ex 11:4-5; Dt 28:27,60
• [g] Isa 34:3
• [h] Lit God
• [i] Gn 19:24-25
• [j] Zch 3:1-2