Amo 4:6 | KingComments | STEP | With this verse Amos begins to recount a series of events from the past, emphasizing that in these events God’s intervention can be seen for their benefit. No matter how terrible those disasters may have been, they were intended by a loving God to warn Israel that they are going the wrong way, a way that will eventually lead them to the judgment. Each time an event is introduced with the word “I”. It indicates that God has brought this suffering upon them, with the intention of bringing His people closer to Him again (cf. ). Every event should appeal to the conscience of the people. But the conscience is often lulled back to sleep by seeking a natural cause for the disasters, as if God had nothing to do with them and His voice could not be heard in them. Surely He does not bring this on man? That is why we read five times as a refrain after each disaster: “Yet you have not returned to Me” ( ). Other prophets have also had to testify accordingly ( ; ; ). Also in the book of Revelation we find that after God’s judgments there is no repentance after all ( ). What patience speaks from this. He also has that patience with us. There is a climax in the disasters, which are not linked to a certain period of time, but have come over the people in the course of Israel’s history. The first series of chastening concerns the land ( ); then the inhabitants are affected by disease and war ( ); finally there is the judgment that also affected Sodom and Gomorrah, wiping these cities from the face of the earth ( ). It is not clear from the text when the event of took place. However, it is thought that Amos refers to the seven years of drought from the days of Elisha ( ). The expression “cleanness of teeth” means that due to lack of food, their teeth do not get dirty.

‏ Amos 4:6

Yet You Have Not Returned to Me

With this verse Amos begins to recount a series of events from the past, emphasizing that in these events God’s intervention can be seen for their benefit. No matter how terrible those disasters may have been, they were intended by a loving God to warn Israel that they are going the wrong way, a way that will eventually lead them to the judgment.

Each time an event is introduced with the word “I”. It indicates that God has brought this suffering upon them, with the intention of bringing His people closer to Him again (cf. Heb 12:6). Every event should appeal to the conscience of the people. But the conscience is often lulled back to sleep by seeking a natural cause for the disasters, as if God had nothing to do with them and His voice could not be heard in them. Surely He does not bring this on man? That is why we read five times as a refrain after each disaster: “Yet you have not returned to Me” (Amos 4:6 ; 8 ; 9 ; 10 ; 11).

Other prophets have also had to testify accordingly (Isa 9:13; Jer 5:3; Hos 7:10). Also in the book of Revelation we find that after God’s judgments there is no repentance after all (Rev 9:20 ; Rev 16:9 ; 11). What patience speaks from this. He also has that patience with us.

There is a climax in the disasters, which are not linked to a certain period of time, but have come over the people in the course of Israel’s history. The first series of chastening concerns the land (Amos 4:6-9); then the inhabitants are affected by disease and war (Amos 4:10); finally there is the judgment that also affected Sodom and Gomorrah, wiping these cities from the face of the earth (Amos 4:11).

It is not clear from the text when the event of Amos 4:6 took place. However, it is thought that Amos refers to the seven years of drought from the days of Elisha (2Kgs 8:1). The expression “cleanness of teeth” means that due to lack of food, their teeth do not get dirty.