From the Pulpit...

The Hebrew word for end sounds like the word for summer fruit, which was harvested at the end of Israel's agricultural season. This wordplay indicates that Israel's end is near. Israel's wealth eagerly awaited the end of feasts and the Sabbath so they could continue exploiting the poor. But in the Day of judgement, not only would those celebrations be turned into mourning but there would be a famine of the words of the Lord-His truth would no longer be revealed through His prophets. Today, the Bible is available nearly everywhere, but deaf ears can still produce spiritual drought.