This is Daniel Whyte III president of Gospel Light Society International with The Scripture & the Sense Podcast #441, where I read the Word of God and give the sense of it based on an authoritative commentary source such as the Bible Knowledge Commentary or Matthew Henry Commentary. This podcast is based upon Nehemiah 8:8 where it says Ezra and the Levites “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” The aim of this podcast is that through the simple reading of the Word of God and the giving of the sense of it, the church would be revived and the world would be awakened.
Today we are reading Amos 4:6.
6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
________
That was Amos 4:6. Now here is the sense of it.
The Matthew Henry Commentary reads:
See the folly of carnal hearts; they wander from one creature to another, seeking for something to satisfy, and labour for that which satisfies not; yet, after all, they will not incline their ear to Him in whom they might find all they can want. Preaching the gospel is as rain, and every thing withers where this rain is wanting. It were well if people were as wise for their souls as they are for their bodies; and, when they have not this rain near, would go and seek it where it is to be had. As the Israelites persisted in rebellion and idolatry, the Lord was coming against them as an adversary. Ere long, we must meet our God in judgment; but we shall not be able to stand before him, if he tries us according to our doings. If we would prepare to meet our God with comfort, at the awful period of his coming, we must now meet him in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, who came to save lost sinners. We must seek him while he is to be found.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary reads:
Ancient Near Eastern covenants spelled out the curses or punishments the suzerain would bring against his vassals for disloyalty or disobedience. Verses 6–11 record how God had brought the chastisements of the Mosaic Covenant against His people in order to bring them back to Himself. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28–29 had warned that God would use famine, drought, crop failure, plagues, military defeat, and even burning devastation to punish His people for covenant violations. Solomon also foretold that God would use these means to turn the people from their sin. The chart “The Covenant Chastenings” compares the covenant chastenings of Amos 4:6–11 with those predicted in Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28–29, and 1 Kings 8. With each chastisement God anticipated repentance. But Israel refused. The fivefold refrain—yet you have not returned to Me—underscores her continued obstinacy. This persistent refusal had now become an accumulated guilt. Final judgment, therefore, was inevitable. God had given them empty stomachs (literally “cleanness of teeth”, nothing to chew on). Hunger and famine had afflicted the whole land—every city and every town. But the people did not turn to God.
____________
Thank you for listening to the Scripture & The Sense Podcast. Remember to read the Word of God each and every day and pray without ceasing to God for wisdom to understand it and apply it to your life. Most importantly, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Please stay tuned for a complete presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you can get your soul saved from Hell to that wonderful place called Heaven when you die. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.
All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source