Israel’s Guilt and Punishment. Amos 3:1-15
“Prepare to Meet thy God, O Israel”
II. THE STATEMENT OF ISRAEL’S ACCUSATION, Amos 3-6
1. Sins That Demand Rebuke, Amo_3:1-15
ISRAEL’S GUILT AND PUNISHMENT
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt:
“I have known [chosen, cared for, and loved] only you of all the families of the earth; Therefore I shall punish you for all your wickedness.”
Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?
Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl from his den if he has not captured something?
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the ground when it has caught nothing at all? [Of course not! So it is that Israel has earned her impending judgment.]
If a trumpet is blown in a city [warning of danger] will not the people tremble? If a disaster or misfortune occurs in a city has not the LORD caused it?
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Without revealing His secret plan [of the judgment to come] To His servants the prophets. [Rev_10:7]
The lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken [to the prophets]! Who can but prophesy? [Act_4:20; Act_5:20, Act_5:29; 1Co_9:16]
Proclaim on the fortresses in Ashdod (Philistia) and on the citadels in the land of Egypt, and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great confusion within her and the oppressions and abuse of authority in her midst.
For they do not know how to do right,” says the LORD, “these who store up violence and devastation [like treasures] in their strongholds.”
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, “An adversary (Assyria), even one surrounding the land, Shall pull down your strength from you And your fortresses will be looted.”
Thus says the LORD, “Just as the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion a couple of legs or a piece of the [sheep’s] ear [to prove to the owner that he has not stolen the animal], So will the [remaining] children of Israel living in Samaria be snatched away With the corner of a bed and [part of] the damask covering of a couch.
“Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,” Says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
“On that day when I punish Israel’s transgressions, I shall also punish the altars of Bethel [with their golden calves]; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground.
“And I shall tear down the winter house with the summer house; And the houses of ivory shall also perish And the great houses shall come to an end,” Says the LORD.
THE LORD’S WORD MUST COME TRUE
The closer our relationship with God, the more searching His scrutiny and chastening. The sins of God’s children which may seem of slight consequence are rigorously dealt with by their Heavenly Father, who loves them too well to allow their life to be permanently injured. It is because God loves us that He is so quick in detecting the least symptoms of disease. But we must agree with Him as to the sinfulness of sin, the need of cleansing, the hopelessness of our old nature, and the world’s urgent need both of our sympathy and sacrifice. So only shall we walk with God as Enoch did. The soul that is one with Him is on the alert, as is the traveler who hears the lion’s roar in the forest. Watch; ye know not the hour!
The nobles of Egypt and Philistia are summoned to view the sins of Samaria and to confirm the justice of her penalty. From all sides the invader would descend on the recreant land. Only a fragment should escape, like the small piece of a lamb rescued from the jaws of the savage beast of prey. The couch of luxury, the bed of sloth, the golden calf of Beth-el-all marked the degeneracy of the Chosen People. May the sorrows through which the world is passing at this hour be the means of cleansing human society from these same evils that our Christian civilization may escape the penalties that overtook Israel!
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