Amos 4:6 “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to me,” says the LORD.
AMOS
Amos was a native of Tekoa in Judah (the Southern Kingdom). He was called to be GOD’s prophet. While he lived in the South, he did a great deal of his preaching to the people living in the North (the Northern Kingdom of Israel sometimes called “Ephraim” because the first King of the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam came from the tribe of Ephraim, 1Kings11:26, or sometimes the Northern Kingdom is called “Israel”).
Amos was by occupation a herdsman (i.e., shepherd) or a “dresser of sycamore trees” (Amos 7:14). He did not have “the pedigree” for being a prophet. He did not come from a family of prophets. He never went to prophet school. He just thought of himself as a herdsman and fruit picker. BUT, GOD chooses him. GOD told the man from the South to prophesy to the North. Amos answered GOD’s call.
Some of Amos’ major themes were social justice, divine justice and the omnipotence of GOD. Amos is known for his rich images, metaphors, and language, such as:
“But let Judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24) –used by Martin Luther King (“let justice roll down like waters”) in Martin’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Amos’ chapter 4:6 “clean teeth” is another rich verse. In Amos 4:6, GOD, through his prophet Amos, points out that even through adversity, brought on by their own sinful behavior again GOD, the people still refuse to return to HIM. Even though the people have no bread or food---so there is no food particles to pick from their teeth, as they might at the end of a full meal—and so their teeth are clean, Israel still will not repent and return to GOD.
Even with nothing to eat, no place to go, suffering blight and mildew, failed crops and their children killed in war, the Israelites still will not obey and return to GOD.
Healthy Teeth
According to “Nutrition and Healthy Teeth,” experts agree that certain foods are good for your teeth and some foods are not. Foods containing too many carbohydrates and sugars (e.g. cake, cookies, candy) or too many starches (e.g. potatoes chips, pretzels) are not good for teeth.
The writers of the article suggest that if you are going to serve children sweets or deserts, serve them immediately following a meal rather than as a snack:
There's usually an increased amount of saliva in the mouth around mealtime, making it easier to wash food away from teeth. The mealtime beverage also helps to wash away food particles on teeth.
The writers suggest that you should avoid sugary foods that linger on the teeth, like hard candy, cough drops, and mints or sticky foods like caramel, granola bars, jelly beans, syrups or raisins or dried figs. If these foods are eaten as snacks, the writers suggest that you brush your teeth immediately afterward. See, “Nutrition and Healthy Teeth,” www.webmd.com/oral-health/nutrition-and-healthy-teeth.
In “What to do for healthy teeth and gums,” Jennifer Berry (reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS) provides some of the following tips:
- Brush- Brush regularly (at least twice a day) to remove plaque and bacteria and to help keep your teeth clean. Brush using a circular motion, making sure you brush the top of each tooth, the back, and the front. Avoid “sawing back-and-forth motions.” Also, avoid brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush, since this can damage tooth enamel.
- Floss - Floss every day in order to remove plaque and bacteria between the teeth. Flossing can also go in areas whether a toothbrush may fail to reach. Flossing can also prevent bad breath by removing debris and food caught in the teeth. Gently hug the side of the tooth as you floss. Avoid, snapping the floss up and down between the teeth. If you don’t know how to flow, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to show you how.
- Regular Dental Visits- Many experts suggest seeing a dentist about every 6 months. This will allow for cleaning, check-ups, and examination of teeth and gums to prevent cavities or other oral health problems. Children should see a dentist within 6 months of their first tooth or 1 year of age, whichever comes first.
- Do Not Smoke – Smoking harms the body’s immune system, which makes it difficult for tissue to heal, including tissue in the mouth.
- Drink Water or Unsweetened Tea – Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks (e.g. soda, juices or any other drink with added sugar)
- Babies – There are a number of useful practices for helping to keep gums healthy, including wiping a baby’s gums with a warm, wet, washcloth every day to remove sugars from the gums and help “the baby become familiar with cleaning” their teeth.
See, “What to do for healthy teeth and gums,” Jennifer Berry, March 14, 2019, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324708.php.
Pray For A GODLY Return
GOD still wants HIS children to return to HIM. HE still wants nations and people to repent when we do wrong.
Just like the Northern Kingdom during the times of Amos, our world is still in disarray. People are stranded on ships at ports that refuse them entry. People are stranded in detention facilities. People are stranded in prisons. The homeless are stranded on the streets. There are protests in Russia, China, Great Britain, Africa and elsewhere.
Today, please pray for all the world leaders. Pray for a global return to GOD.
Pray we remember the “Clean Teeth” lessons of Amos.
Pray for GOD’s BLESSINGS! And, BE BLESSED!
