Amos 8 & 9 - The Fourth Vision

 

Amos 8 & 9 – The Fourth Vision

 

Amos’ fourth vision gave one clear message: “Israel is ripe for judgment! As the farmer cuts off the ripe fruit so God will cut off Israel. He had been long-suffering with them, but now the day of reckoning had come. The wealthy had sinned against both men and God. They were weary of their religious duties and only endured the Sabbath, waiting until they could start making money again. They changed God’s standards so that they might exploit the poor, and they cheapened their products and then raised the prices. No wonder God was angry with them.

 

Amos told them to expect an earthquake, an eclipse, a funeral, and a famine. God’s Word is our spiritual nourishment (Matt. 4:4), and there can be no substitute. When God’s people reject His Word, He sometimes judges them by taking away His Word and leaving them to go hungry as they live on substitutes.

 

In the day od judgment, 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 everywhere, but deaf ears can still produce spiritual drought.

 

Amos 9 – The destruction of Israel

 

Amos saw the Lord at the sanctuary at Bethel, where the people were carrying on their hypocritical worship. He was about to destroy the sanctuary and all the worshipers; nobody would escape. If anyone tried to escape, he would be tracked down and slain.

 

God would destroy the sanctuary at Bethel, but He would not destroy His people. He would send them among the Gentiles and sift out the true from the false. In His grace, God spares a remnant so that the nation might continue.

 

The royal dynasty of David was like a tent or booth that had fallen, but God will raise it, repair it, and restore. His people will return to their land and enjoy once again the blessings of God. Meanwhile, God is calling out His church from both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15:6-21), and our task is to share the gospel with every creature.

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.