A major theme in the book of Amos is God’s creation of the universe and his ongoing relationship with the land of Israel. Amos begins with a reference to a memorable earthquake (1:1; cf. 9:1) and the notice that Yahweh is roaring in anger at his people’s sin, causing the pasturelands to mourn and the usually fertile Mount Carmel to dry up (1:2). The land of Israel experiences drought (4:7–8), blight and mildew (4:9), locusts (4:9; cf. 7:1–3), and the threat of fire (5:6; 7:4–6).