In
addition to all the other judgments that were pronounced upon Israel,
Amos the prophet added how God would cause “a famine of hearing
the words of the LORD”. Though the people of Israel would
“wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east”
and “run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD” they
would “not find it”. In chapter eight and verse thirteen
of his prophesy, Amos shared how the absence of the “word of the
LORD” would affect “the fair virgins” and the
“young men” who were among them where we read:
In
that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
The
verse begins, “In that day shall the fair virgins...”
Amos began with the words, “In that day” or “at that
period or division of time” “shall the fair” which means
“beautiful, comely, pleasant or well” “virgins” or
“pure, unspotted, separated maids who were secluded from
intercourse with men”. Amos began with the “young virgin
ladies” to describe the desire for the word of God.
The
verse continues, “... and young men faint for thirst.”
Amos added, “and young
men” which refers to “youthful
males” “faint”
or “be covered, encrusted, overlaid and languid” “for
thirst” which means “desire
for liquid refreshment”. Amos added the “young men”
who would also “thirst”
for the refreshment of the word of God.
When
we think through these words of Amos, we can only imagine what a
“drought” and “famine” there was for the “word of
the LORD” after God's judgment. The young people within Israel
didn't hear God's word, and they couldn't find it no matter how much
they sought for or needed it. The word of God is with us today, and
Jesus desires that we all listen to and obey it, however, the word of
the LORD is often neglected and ignored. Let us realize, we have an
opportunity to hear God Almighty through His word, and we may enjoy a
relationship with Jesus any time we'd like. May He give us a desire
for His word like we have never had before lest we too know the
“famine” of His word these “young virgins” and “men”
knew.
Next
time Amos addresses those who “swear
by the sin of Samaria”,
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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