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.
Considering the rapid reproduction of Bibles in hundreds of languages today the warning in Amos 8:11 is surprising. I always considered this warning meaning that God’s word would be rare. There would be no Bibles to read, preachers persecuted for spreading the Word. Until a few hundred years ago, the Roman Catholic Church kept the Bible out of the hands of the vast majority of people. But today, when it is widely available, its enemies have found new ways to discredit it in people’s eyes or to just make it seem irrelevant. The famine will be “hearing the words of the Lord”.
Today many homes have a Bible somewhere, mostly gathering dust. Few read it, and fewer still understand its meaning and apply its principles in everyday life. Many use the Bible as a lucky charm or for good luck. People have Bibles placed on a coffee table, on an end table by their bed, in their cars. When they are afraid they may place one upon their chest, or carry one around to feel safe. Yet, Christ told his followers to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation, and are given by inspiration of God to teach us, correct us, instruct us and thoroughly equip us of every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17). That means we must read, study, and hear God’s Word.
Why would this famine come? Because stealing, injustice, oppression and other sins Amos records. And because the people hadn’t listened to all the previous warnings, had not repented, had “put far off the day of doom” (Amos 6:3). The warning was to people who had not listened (did not hear) God’s Word.
In the time leading up to Amos’ prophecy, God’s words had been proclaimed through the preaching of Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Joel, and Hosea. Today we have all these as well as the rest of the Bible in printed form. God’s ministers today also warn of the consequences of sins and the need for repentance. But today, as in Amos’ day, so few listen (hear).
God’s long patience finally came to an end with ancient Israel, and will again with our modern world. When people ignore His message one too many times, He promises to remove that message, for a time. Amos warned people will wander from sea to sea, and from north to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:12). We are told in Isaiah to seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
When will this famine of hearing the words of the Lord come? Will it mean all Bibles will be rounded up and burned? This does not seem to be necessary, since just having Bibles around doesn’t mean they are read, believed, or understood. Romans 10:2-3 states, people will have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and go about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. It appears this famine may have already begun?
SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR THE FAMINE OF THE WORD?
Like Joseph back in ancient Egypt, we need to be preparing for the years of famine during the years of plenty. It starts with hearing God’s words now, studying them, treasuring them and obeying them. God calls on all to repent of sin and to live by every word of God.
God is calling many now to help spread His Word. That’s part of the mission He gave His Church, to preach His good news to the entire world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). With the coming famine of God’s Word in mind, His servants today should have the same urgent mine-set that Jesus Christ had in His ministry. He told His disciples, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
God has given His Church a job to do – to spread understanding of His Word, to preach the gospel, to warn this world. And the foundation of that is to study the Bible and understand it ourselves – to prepare ourselves to serve and help those God is calling now and into the future. We must strive to listen to God’s Word and hear them.
Let’s do it while there is still time!
I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.