Amos 7 - 9

Amos continues to deliver the messages of punishment to Israel.  Her leaders try to persuade Amos to not prophesy; but Amos' direction is clear:  he has been commissioned by the Lord to speak messages that he receives.  God is not wililng to tolerate the sins of Israel any longer.  He must act to bring her to the point of repentence.  The harshest punishment to come is the famine of words from the Lord.  The day will come when hearing from God will be scarcer than the water and bread they needed for physical existence.  Israel will not avoid her punishment.  God will find them wherever they try to hide and will ensure that they are appropriately disciplined for their actions against Him.  At the end of the time of punishment, however, God will lovingly restore His people to prominence and prosperity.  Even in His wrath, He remembers love and mercy.