7/28/2012
Amos 8
-The LORD shows the prophet Amos a basket of summer fruit
indicating the end for His people Israel (Amos 8:1). The phrase, “I will spare
them no longer” is reiterated from Amos 7:8 as a final word on the matter of
their rebellion and following after other gods, their greed, pride, and
insensitivity to the needy and humble (Amos 8:2-6). The summer fruit analogy is
thought provoking and interesting. When we think of it, the summer fruit
represents the harvest, the growing season, the best of the fruit. The LORD was
telling them, I believe, that they were now ripe for destruction (Joel 3:13, Revelation
14:15-18). The fullness of their depravity had come before Him. He had
cultivated all of His warnings and they had turned out to be futile for the
turning back to His truth and mercy. Israel (the northern kingdom) had shunned
their King and there was no other recourse but to destroy them as a nation.
This was an irrevocable word from the LORD and would be carried out in the near
future even though they were at ease with their current circumstances.
*Application* We should hasten to consider the implications of this in our own
personal lives as well as that of our own nation. We are only useful to the
LORD’s purposes and plans as we are obedient to Him. Don’t ever become ripe where
you have no room for spiritual growth and extension of your sanctification. We
as believers never arrive at perfection on this earth. We should continue to
exert every effort with all diligence to add to our faith and become more and
more like Christ Jesus in His image (2 Peter 1:5-9; 3:18). Don’t become
short-sighted and blinded and unproductive for the Kingdom for temporary
satisfactions and folly.
-We see that God is not fooled by Israel’s fake religious
exercises (Amos 8:10). He understands their hearts and the wickedness that
resides within them. Therefore, lamentation, mourning, and bitterness are
prophesied over them. They have no desire for the Word of God and therefore it
will become scarce for them to find. In fact it will become a spiritual famine
with no place to go for the wisdom of God (Amos 8:11-12). They that have sought
after other gods will fall and not rise again (Amos 8:14). *Application* “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own
flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit
shall from the Spirit reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8).” If we want to reap a continual harvest of
increasing spiritual fruit and not let our basket become ripe where the next
step is over-ripe and rotten, we must take care of our walk with Christ Jesus
and mature in Him by His Spirit. Seek hard after His Word and grow in your
understanding of it. It is like layers of an onion as you peel it back. It goes
deeper and further than you could ever think or imagine. God’s riches and
treasures are to be examined and meditated on and then applied for productive
and continual increase. Don’t starve yourself spiritually. Seek God and stay
fresh forever!
Verse to Memorize:
Amos 8:11
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