See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord GOD— when I will send a famine upon the land: Not a hunger for bread, or a thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the LORD. Amos 8:11 NABRE
Amos denounces injustices, indicating Israel’s rottenness has run its course and nothing can be done except wait for the day of the Lord’s judgement. Israel thinks the day of the Lord is a time of the Lord’s intervention to fulfill promises made, a day of salvation, grace and glory. However, Amos gives the day an unexpected meaning, the day of judgement, not a day of light but a day of judgement, darkness and a time when things go wrong. Amos speaks of lamentation and pain, weakness in those who should be strong and in particular the fruitless search for the word oof God. There will be a famine, not of bread and water, but for hearing the word of God. This links to the gospel message of seeking out the Bread of Life, the Word of God accepted in faith, the Body of Christ, the creating of a kingdom of love. Jesus is the Bread of Life according to the gospels and though He brings judgement, He also brings a message of salvation, grace and glory.
Amos tells the people their injustices are not the way to bring the kingdom of God. However, God has a plan which will help people see how to bring the kingdom of God. It is not the way of the world helping us find peace and joy, the way of the world lead to competition, greed and belittling others. The kingdom of God is a milieu of abundance, all are rich, all have plenty, all are happy and joyful. We hunger for the word of God, but it cannot be heard without a change of heart and an opening up to an unexpected message. The word of God is not what we want to hear but what we need to hear to live abundantly.
Do you hunger for the word of God? Are you open to hearing something different?
We hunger for the word of God, but it cannot be heard without a change of heart and an opening up to an unexpected message. The word of God is not what we want to hear but what we need to hear to live abundantly. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #word #hunger #Amos #everybodyalways#god#jesuschrist#jesussaves#godisgood#dailydevotion#biblestudy#scripture#bibleverse#verseoftheday#cross#last#gospels#loveeachother#godisgreat#thisVineyard#youversion#everythingalways