The prophet
Amos continued to share the LORD's exhortation to apostate Israel. He
declared how the LORD mockingly told them to “offer a sacrifice
of thanksgiving with leaven” and encouraged them to “proclaim
and publish the free offerings” because they were affectionate
for these things. In chapter four and verse six of his prophesy, Amos
shared how the LORD had “given them cleanness of teeth” and
“want of bread” where we read:
And I also
have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,
and want
of bread in all your places: yet have you not returned unto me, says
the LORD.
The
verse begins, “And I also have given you cleanness of
teeth in all your cities,...” Amos
began with the words, “And I also have given you” which
means “God bestowed, granted, permitted, devoted, consecrated and
dedicated” “cleanness” or
“innocence and freedom from punishment” “of teeth”
which refers to “specifically ivories, tines, forefronts and
figuratively cliffs” “in all your cities”
which means “towns, places of waking which is guarded”. In
addition to the “sacrifice thanksgiving with leaven”
and “proclaiming and publishing the free offerings”
to their false gods, the LORD was to give the people of Israel “clean
teeth” for their lack of foods
which referred to their lack of solid religion.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and
want of bread in all your places: yet have you not returned unto me,
says the LORD.” Amos
continued, “and want of bread”
which means “lack of food and grain” “in all your
palaces” which refers to “the
standing places, stations, posts or offices of human abode”: “yet
have you not returned” which
means “turned back or caused to restore, relinquish and give in
payment” “unto me”
which refers to “the LORD” “says”
or “utters, proclaims and declares” “the LORD”
which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the
proper name for the one true God”. Famine was to be in every
“abode” of the people of Israel, and even though this is the
case, they did not return to the LORD.
When
we consider these words of Amos, we see the LORD's continued effort
to draw the people of Israel toward Himself. Famine and want were not
beyond the LORD's means to persuade His people to “return”
to Him. However, despite the LORD's efforts, the people ignored their
depravation and remained in their godless ways. God Almighty offers
salvation through Jesus Christ His Son, and if he needs to use the
idea of “depravity” to get a person's attention, He will use it.
Should we feel we have “clean teeth” and “want of
bread”, perhaps we should simply understand the LORD desires
for us to “return” to Him.
Next
time Amos shares about “the
rain withheld”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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