A FAMINE

Amos 8:11-12

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:
12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
KJV

There is a far more severe a censure from heaven than the mere withholding of one’s bread and water, for when the words of the Lord are withheld, there will be a famine of the worst kind. For to be without the light of God’s Word is to be within darkness, and thus unable to see clearly into the direction of God’s choosing. (And the ability to see, perceive and recognize God’s will is the one area that no man or woman can ever live successfully without.)

Without the ability to seek God’s counsel at the mouth of His prophet Amos and similar prophets-for at the time there would only be the law of Moses and the prophets- they “wandered,” “ran to and fro,” and still did “not find it.” For the people well understood that having access to the words of the Lord were far more valuable than any temporal treasure such as food and drink. Jesus shared as much during his earthly ministry: “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4

And while the prophet Amos shared about a time when there would be “a famine of the hearing the words of the Lord,” this was also the condition of God’s people when He called Samuel, the seer and prophet. Scripture records that during His calling as a child in service to Eli “the word of the Lord was precious [rare] in those days” 2 Samuel 3:1. Though “Samuel did not yet know the Lord neither was the word of the Lord revealed unto him,” 2 Samuel 3:7 he would eventually become a prophet to all Israel “for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the Lord” 2 Samuel 3:21.

Unlike the time of the law and prophets and until the fullness of the canon of scripture came, contemporary believers possess an opportunity much greater than Amos and Samuel to hear the “words of the Lord” and it is an opportunity we would do well to consider and not always neglect:

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”-2 Peter 1:19

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”-2 Timothy 3:16