Definition: And also I have withholden the rain from you, when [there were] yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Amos 4:7. It’s a really powerful and somewhat unsettling verse in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: Amos is an Israeli prophet who’s warning the people of Israel about their impending doom. He’s telling them that God is deliberately sending bad weather – specifically, no rain – to a specific city. Let's unpack each part: “And also I have withholden the rain…” – This tells us that God has decided to stop raining on this particular city. It’s not just a random act of nature; it’s a conscious decision by God. “…from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest.” - This is crucial. It means that God is stopping the rain before the crops are ready to be harvested. The "harvest" refers to the time when people gather their crops for their families and livelihood. “And I caused it not to rain upon another city…” – This establishes a clear contrast. God is actively choosing to punish this specific city, while leaving other cities untouched. “…one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.” - This is where it gets really significant. It’s like God is intentionally creating a situation where some crops fail (we call them "withered"), but others thrive. “One piece was rained upon” - This suggests that some people in this city will suffer misfortune or loss. “And the piece whereupon it rained not withered” – This is the key part. It means that despite the rain falling on one area, the crops on the other area survived . It’s a powerful image of God's judgment being balanced with blessing. What does this verse mean in terms of bigger picture? God's Justice: This verse is often interpreted as a demonstration of God’s justice. He isn’t just randomly stopping rain; he’s actively punishing those who are displeasing him. God's Sovereignty: It shows that God has complete control over all things, and He can choose to punish or bless people based on their actions. A Warning: It serves as a warning to the people of Israel about their sins and their need for repentance and change. In short, this verse is a dramatic illustration of God's judgment – he’s deliberately choosing to cause hardship in one place to ultimately bring about good in another. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to other biblical stories or themes? Give a different interpretation of the verse?