Matthew Henry Commentary Amos 8:11-14

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and the young men faint for thirst. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, As thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, As the way of Beer-sheba liveth; they shall fall, and never rise up again." — Amos 8:11-14 (ASV)

Here was a sign of God's highest displeasure. At any time, and especially in a time of trouble, a famine of the word of God is the heaviest judgment. To many this is no affliction, yet some will feel it very much, and will travel far to hear a good sermon; they feel the loss of the mercies others foolishly sin away.

But when God visits a backsliding church, their own plans and efforts to find out a way of salvation will be of no use to them. And even the most sincere and zealous would perish for lack of the water of life, which Christ alone can grant.

Let us value our advantages, seek to profit by them, and fear sinning them away.