And also I have withholden the rain from you,.... As he did for the space of three years successively in the days of Ahab, as predicted by Elijah, 1Ki 17:1; the consequences of which are very bad to men and beast, and bring on a scarcity of food for both, and a famine if long withheld:when [there were] yet three months to the harvest; that is, three months before the harvest, as Jarchi; when, as Kimchi observes, there was need of rain: this was the latter rain which was usually given and expected about this time, and on which the goodness of the crop, and so of the harvest, greatly depended; these three months before barley harvest were December, January, and February, that being in March; and before the wheat harvest, February, March, and April, that being in May usually:and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city; so that it might appear to be not by the course of nature, or through the influence of the planets, or by chance; but was according to the direction of divine Providence, the hand of God was manifestly in it: yea,one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered; one piece of ground or field had a plentiful shower on it, whereby it became fruitful; and another field or close on the other side of the hedge or partition had none, whereby what did spring up withered away and came to nothing: or "one inheritance" , or farm, as some render it; one man's estate was well watered with rain from heaven, and brought forth much fruit; and another man's estate, for want of it, was barren, and brought forth nothing: thus God was pleased to do in his providence, to show his sovereignty, and to chastise men for their sins; and in such a manner as that they might, if not blind easily perceive his hand in it.
Bible Commentary
Amos 4:7
Amos 4:7
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
The Daily Devotional
One devotional. Every morning.
The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.
We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.
Continue tomorrow
Turn Bible study into a daily habit
Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.
Recommended reading
More for Amos 4:7
Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.
Other commentaries
Amos 4 — OverviewAmos 4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this chapter, I. The oppressors in Israel are threatened for their
oppression of the poor, ver. 1-3. II. The idolaters in Israel, being
joined to idols, are given up to their own heart's lusts, ver. 4, 5.…Amos 4 — OverviewAmos 4 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeAmos 4:1, He reproves Israel for oppression, Amos 4:4, for idolatry, Amos 4:6, and for their incorrigibleness.Amos 4 — OverviewAmos 4 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter, the great ones, or the people of Israel, are threatened with calamities for their oppression of the poor, Am 4:1; and in an ironic manner are reproved for their idolatry, Am 4:4; then follows an…Amos 4:1-13Amos 4:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONAmos 4:1-13Amos 4:1-13 · The Pulpit Commentary§ 2. Second address. The prophet reproves the voluptuous women of Samaria, and fortells their captivity (Amos 4:1-3); with bitter irony he describes the people's devotion to idolatry (Amos 4:4, Amos 4:5): he shows how…Amos 4:6-13Amos 4:6-13 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere, I. God complains of his people's incorrigibleness under the
judgments which he had brought upon them in order to their humiliation
and reformation. He had by several tokens intimated to them his…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Blessing and the Warning"God disciplines in stages; each one an invitation to return. Respond at stage one."DiscipleDeck