Think of all God had done for Israel: rescued them from slavery in Egypt, made them into a mighty nation, delivered them from enemies. Think of what God had called Israel to be: set apart to love him and to love others so that people could see what he was like. What would happen if God’s people stopped acting like they are saved and set apart? What would happen if they disobeyed God’s commands? They would face consequences. God would have to punish them for their sins—of course.

But here’s a little trickier question. What if God’s people acted like they were keeping his commands, but their hearts were far from God? That’s what the people of the northern kingdom were doing. Some of their actions looked like they loved God. They still went to the temple, offered sacrifices, and sang praises to the Lord. But it was all a big show—they didn’t really love God and love others! In fact, they worshiped other gods and cheated the poor. They thought they were right with God, but they were wrong. They were hypocrites, like an actor who puts on a mask of a certain character and starts acting like that person. God’s people were playacting in their worship. They were fakes! As you might have guessed, faking it isn’t enough. God doesn’t want that kind of worship. He wants us to love him and show that by how we love our neighbors.

So God had enough. He wanted to get Israel’s attention. He wanted them to repent. So he held back the rain and made their plants dry up. He sent big bugs to eat their crops. He allowed diseases to make his people sick. And he had their enemies punish them. They were so hungry and so sad. The saddest thing, though, was that God stopped speaking to them. “The days are coming,” warned the Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land. But not a famine of bread or water—a famine of hearing the words of the Lord” (see Amos 8:11). God’s silence was the worst punishment of all. It’s a bit like being in a dark room and then having your flashlight taken away.

Thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. God would not be silent forever. God spoke of a future day when he would raise his people up (like the dry bones!) and restore blessings to them. God promised they would eat and drink on that day until they were completely full, and they would hear him speak again. From famine to feast!