Lesson 143: Amos 4:6
The Blueprint — The Verse
“I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.
Memorization Practice
Click words to hide them and test your memory.
Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
Rate your recall:
The Context — The History
AmosA shepherd and fig‑grower from Tekoa whom God called as a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos delivered strong messages of justice, righteousness, and divine judgment, confronting corruption, oppression of the poor, and empty religious ritual. His book emphasizes that true worship must be matched by moral integrity, famously declaring that justice should “roll down like waters.” Amos... More was a shepherd and fig farmer from Tekoa who prophesied to the northern kingdom during Jeroboam II's wealth. Prosperity masked injustice; AmosA shepherd and fig‑grower from Tekoa whom God called as a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos delivered strong messages of justice, righteousness, and divine judgment, confronting corruption, oppression of the poor, and empty religious ritual. His book emphasizes that true worship must be matched by moral integrity, famously declaring that justice should “roll down like waters.” Amos... More announced that famine and drought were divine calls to repent.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
God lists failed judgments—famine, drought, blight, pestilence, war—each followed by Israel's refusal to return. Discipline intended repentance, yet the people persisted in unfaithfulness.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
-
offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim free will offerings and brag about them: for this pleases you, you children of IsraelThe nation chosen by Yahweh as His own covenant people, descended from Jacob (Israel) and formed into a distinct identity at Sinai. In the biblical worldview, Israel is God’s allotted portion among all nations after Babel (Deuteronomy 32), set apart to reveal His character, law, and redemptive plan. Israel carries the promises given to Abraham, the mission of representing Yahweh... More,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
-
“I also have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One place was rained on, and the piece where it didn’t rain withered.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
-
How does hardship call people back to God?
-
What might God use to get your attention?
-
What does 'return to me' require beyond feeling sorry?
Places — Map this passage
Locations mentioned in this lesson passage. Switch to Whole book or Journey mode on the map for a broader view.
Places list
Geographic data © OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)