Amos the
“herdsman” prophet continued to share concerning the
“luxurious” living of the people of Israel. They continued their
religious practices, but led lives that were contrary to the LORD and
His ways. In addition to lying on “beds of ivory”,
“stretching themselves upon their couches” and eating
“lambs” and “calves” out of their “flocks
and stalls”, in chapter six and verse five of his prophesy,
Amos shares concerning their “chant to the sound of the viol”
and “inventing” musical instruments. We read:
That chant
to the sound of the viol,
and
invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;
The
verse begins, “That chant to the sound of the viol,...”
Amos began with the words, “That
chant” or “to improvise
carelessly or stammer” “to the sound”
which means “mouth or orifice as an organ of speech” “of
the viol” or “skin-bag, jar,
pitcher, lyre or flute”. Amos' reference was to people in Israel
who make sounds with their mouths while others played “lyres and
flutes”.
The
verse continues, “...and
invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;”
Amos added, “and invent”
or “think, plan, esteem, calculate, make a judgment, imagine and
count” “to themselves”
which means “those who play music” “instruments”
or “articles, vessel, implements, utensils and receptacles” “of
music”
which refers to “lyrical and religious songs”, “like
David”
whose name means “beloved” was “the youngest son of Jesse and
the second king of Israel”. Not only did they sing to “viols”,
but they also made other “instruments”
of music for worship.
When
we meditate upon these words of Amos, we see the LORD directing His
attention specifically toward the music within which the people of
Israel were engaging. They had a pretense of worshiping God, but they
were living lives contrary to their words and playing. When Jesus
came into the world He exposed religious frauds, and lest we find
ourselves guilty of the same “luxurious” living as the people of
Israel, let us examine ourselves and be sure concerning what we do in
our worship of Him with our “viols”
and “musical instruments”.
Next
time we
see Amos writes about “wine”
and “ointments”,
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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