Bring Your Sacrifices Every Morning Amos 4:4

After declaring that Israel were “kine of Bashan” and they would be taken “away with hooks...and fishhooks”, he told them their “wives and females” would go out through “the breaches” or “gaps” in the walls of their city. In chapter four and verse four of his prophesy, Amos shared the LORD's mocking exhortation for Israel to “multiply transgressions” and “bring” their “sacrifices every morning” where we read:

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression;

and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:

The verse begins, “Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression;” Amos began with the words, “Come to Bethel” which means “enter into the house of God” which was “the ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz ”, “and transgress” or “trespass, apostatize, quarrel, offend, rebel and revolt” “at Gilgal” which means “a rolling wheel” and was “the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king. It was later used for illicit worship and was the dwelling place of prophets in northern Israel about four miles from Shiloh and Bethel” “multiply” or “make to become great and numerous” “transgressions” which refers to “trespasses, apostatizes, quarrels, of offenses, rebels and revolts”. God mockingly gives Israel over to their idolatry and worship practices as He told them to demonstrate their “trespasses” upon their altars in both “Bethel” and “Gilgal”.

The verse goes on to say, “and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:” Amos continued, “and bring” or “carry and transport” “your sacrifices” which means “slaughters and offerings” “every morning” or “at each dawn, break of day and sunrise”, “and your tithes” or “tenth part or payment” “after three years” which refers to “a triad of annual days”. Even as the Israelites were to offer “sacrifices” every morning and “tithes” for the support of the ministry every third year, the LORD continued to charge them to worship their idols in full force.

When we meditate upon these words of Amos, we understand how the LORD desired for the people of Israel to see the vanity of their worship of false idols. God gave them over to these gods in full force that they might see how useless their worship for these gods was. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6), and although people worship other gods, those gods cannot save and give entrance before God Almighty. We must take heed to Jesus' words, and should we follow scripted practices of worship toward any other gods, perhaps the uselessness of those activities will be revealed before it is to late to change.

Next time we see Amos tell the people to “offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven”, 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.

Go Out at the Breaches Amos 4:3

The people of Israel had forsaken the LORD and His ways, and Amos the prophet was commissioned to share the judgment that was to come upon them as a result of their rebellion. Amos referred to them as the “kine of Bashan” or “fatted cows” which referred to the luxury in which they lived as they preyed upon the “weak and poor” among them. He told them they would be carried away with “hooks and fishhooks” for their wayward behavior, and in chapter four and verse three of his prophesy, Amos shared how they would “go out at the breaches” where we read:

And you shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her;

and you shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.

The verse begins, “And you shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her;” Amos began with the words, “And you shall go out” or “depart, exit and go forth” “at the breaches” which refers to “gaps, outburst and broken walls”, “every cow at that which is before her” or “each, all and the total of with women, wives and females”. Amos declared the “wives and females” would be led through the “gaps” in the “broken walls” which surrounded Israel's cities.

The verse goes on to say, “and you shall cast them into the palace, says the LORD.” Amos continued, “and you shall cast them” or “throw, hurl and fling these women” “into the palace” which means “high fortresses and places or castles”, “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”. When the women were taken captive, they would be forced to go to “palaces” or “high fortresses and castles” in places far away.

When we consider these words of Amos, we see the devastation that was pronounced upon the “wives and females” who lived in Israel. Not only would the warriors and men be trampled upon, but the “women” were to be made captives as well. The judgment of the LORD was to be vast, and even those thought to be the weaker among them would be affected. Let this be a warning to all who read these words. Those who hear, read about or know the gospel or “good news” according to Jesus Christ shall be held accountable for how they responded to the information. Neither man, nor woman, nor boy or girl shall be exempt from the judgment of God. Be assured, the LORD will be just in His judgment, and yet, when a person knows His Salvation plan and refuses to receive His Son Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, he or she shall indeed “go out at the breaches” and there shall be no one else to save them.

Next time we see Amos tells the people to “bring their sacrifices every morning”, 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.

Taken Away with Hooks and Fishhooks Amos 4:2

When Amos the “herdsman” prophet pronounced the LORD's judgment upon His own people Israel, he called them “kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink”. The people of Israel were so “fat” with luxurious living, they had no regard to the LORD or His commandments. In chapter four and verse two of his prophesy, Amos declared how the LORD swore they would be “taken away” from their homes “with hooks and fishhooks” where we read:

The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you,

that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

The verse begins, “The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you,...” Amos began with the words, “The LORD God” or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “has sworn” which means “adjure and take an oath” “by his holiness that”which means “apartness, sacredness and set-apartness”, , “lo the days” which means “time or period and division of time” “shall come upon you” or “enter in, attain, carry in and lead”. God forecast the “time” of judgment was to “come upon” the people of Israel who lived in luxury like fatten cows.

The verse goes on to say, “... that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.” Amos continued, “that he will take you away” which means “bear up and carry” “with hooks” or “something piercing or as a barb”, “and your posterity” which means “future remnant, residue and reward” “with fishhooks” or “harpoons and hooks used for fishing”. The judgment of God was to include Israel's exodus by “hooks” that were put into their noses or lips as they forced them from their current abodes.

When we think through these words of Amos, we may be appalled at the inhumanity of “hooks” and “fishhooks” being used upon people. However, this was to be the “punishment” that would come upon them. God “swore” by His own “holiness” that this was to be expected, and He knew in advance the troubles they would face. The LORD knows our future too, and without Jesus Christ as our personal LORD and Savior, we shall face judgment that is far worse than “hooks” and “fishhooks”. May we hear Amos' words to Israel and take heed to God's solution for our salvation.

Next time we see Amos share how the people of Israel will “go out at the breaches”, 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.

You Kine of Bashan Amos 4:1

As Amos concluded the previous section of prophesy against Israel, he told how the LORD would “destroy their winter, summer, ivory and great houses”, and in chapter four and verse one of his foreboding, Amos refers to these people as the “ kine of Bashan” or “fat cows” where we read:

Hear this word, you kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

The verse begins, “Hear this word, you kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor,...” Amos began with the word, “Hear” or “listen to and obey” “this word” which means “speech, utterance, advise, answer and decree”, “you kine” or “fat and wanton cows or heifers” “of Bashan” which means “fruitful” and was “a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh”, “that are in the mountains” which means “hills or hill country” “of Samaria” which means “watch mountain” and was “the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam which were ruled by Jeroboam”, “which oppress” or “violate, defraud, do violence to, deceive, wrong and extort” “the poor” which refers to “the lowly, weak, thin and needy persons”. Amos called attention to these “defrauders and deceivers of the weak and needy” as he called them “fat cows” according to their luxurious living.

The verse goes on to say, “...which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.” Amos continued, “which crush” or “oppress, break in pieces, bruise, discourage and struggle against” “the needy” which refers to “those in want, needing help, in trouble and beggars”, “which say” or “utter, proclaim and declare” “to their masters” which means “lords, superintendents of household affairs and proprietors and kings”, “Bring” or “come, carry down and out”, “and let us drink” which means “to imbibe with banqueting potations and drunkenness”. These whom Amos addresses are those who “oppress” people who are in “want and needing help” and desire to drink “banqueting tipples” instead.

When we meditate upon these words of Amos, we can sense the LORD's disgust for these people who lived in luxury at the expense of the poor. They made their livings and lifestyles by “oppressing” the “needy” and “crushing” the “poor”. This was not living after the commandments and direction of God. Jesus Christ came to give aid to the “needy” and to help “the poor”, and those who are wise will take heed and align themselves with Him. Those who are not wise shall contend with the LORD of hosts who looks after those who are “weak and in trouble” in this world.

Next time we see Amos share how the LORD will “take” the kine of Bashan “away with hooks, and” their “posterity with fishhooks”, 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.

The Winter and Summer House Smitten Amos 3:15

Amos the “herdsman” prophet shared the LORD of hosts' exhortation for Jacob to “hear and testify” how He would “visit the transgressions of Israel” and “visit the altars of Bethel” whereby “the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground”. In chapter three and verse fifteen of his prophesy, Amos continued this latest course of the LORD's judgment as he proclaimed how God would “smite the winter, summer, ivory and great houses” of Israel where we read:

And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, says the LORD.

The verse begins, “And I will smite the winter house with the summer house;” Amos began with the words, “And I will smite” or “strike, beat, scourge, clap, kill and slay” “the winter house” which refers to “the harvest and crop gathering dwelling place, shelter, habitation and abode” “with the summer house” or “the dwelling place, shelter, habitation and abode for the beginning of the year when fruits are gathered”. The luxurious “winter and summer” houses were to be destroyed by the LORD's judgment.

The verse continues, “and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, says the LORD.” Amos added, “and the houses” or “dwelling places, shelters, habitations and abodes” “of ivory” which literally means “the tooth or sharp pointed rock” and refers to “the forefront tusk or tooth of an elephant “shall perish” or “vanish, go astray, die and be exterminated”, “and the great houses” which refers to “abounding, numerous, captain and chief dwelling places, shelters, habitations and abodes” “shall have an end” which means “cease, terminate, consume and desist”. In addition to the “winter and summer” houses, the “ivory” and “chief” habitations would be consumed as well.

When we consider these words of Amos, we understand the prosperity of the people of Israel would not prevent the judgment of God upon them. Though they lived luxuriously in “winter, summer, ivory and great houses”, they would not resist “punishment” for their insubordination. Too many people rely upon their “luxurious” resources to “avoid” God's judgment, and these material goods are not ample to defend against His power. Jesus Christ came to save people from their sinful lives, and only by depending upon Him shall a person avoid the “judgment of God”. Lest we be foolish and believe that our “resources” shall buy our way out of His path of “punishment”, let us turn our hearts and minds toward Jesus who is the only one valuable enough to resist the Almighty's hand.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Amos share with those who “oppress the poor” and “crush the needy”, 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.

God Visits the Transgressions of Israel Amos 3:14

Amos the prophet shared how “the LORD of hosts” called upon the people of Jacob to “hear and testify” as he pronounced judgment against them. In chapter three and verse fourteen of his prophesy, Amos proclaimed how God would “visit the transgressions of Israel” where we read:

That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

The verse begins, “That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel:” Amos began with the words, “That in the day” or “in that division of time or period” “that I shall visit” which means “to attend to, muster, number, reckon, punish, appoint, look after and care for” “the transgressions” or “rebellions and sins both moral and religious” “of Israel” which means “God prevails” and was “the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob and the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam” “upon him” or “upon Israel” “I will also visit” which means “attend to, muster, number, reckon, punish, appoint, look after and care for” “the altars” or “brazen places of worship” “of Bethel” which means “house of God” and was “the ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on the border of Benjamin whose former name was Luz. It was where Jeroboam set up the worship of calves after the ten tribes split from Judah and Benjamin after the death of Solomon”. The LORD paid particular attention against Israel's places of cattle worship.

The verse goes on to say, “and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.” Amos continued, “and the horns” or “the flask and cornet like unto an elephant tooth” “of the altar” which refers to “a brazen place of worship” “shall be cut off” or “hewn, chopped, cut down and shaved off”, “and fall” which means “be cast down, lie and fail” “to the ground” or “the land, earth, country, territory, district and region”. The “horns of the altar” were considered the symbols of “power” and “authority”, and these would be “cut down and cast” to the “earth”.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see how God brings judgment upon the places of worship in which Israel relied. They were following and giving honor to false gods, and the LORD would not allow this practice to remain. The LORD God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the earth that people would “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (See 1 Thessalonians 1:9). If we do not turn to Him, He shall “cut and cast down” every forma of worship that is not dedicated to Him.

Next time Amos tells the people how the LORD, “will smite the winter house with the summer house”, 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.

Hear and Testify Amos 3:13

Amos the “herdsman” prophet continued to share how Israel was to be judged by God. He employed the example of a “shepherd” taking “two legs or a piece of an ear”” out of the “mouth of the lion” to describe the way the Lord would deliver Israel from their luxurious living in “Samaria” and “Damascus”. In chapter three and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Amos called upon “the house of Jacob” to “hear and testify” where we read:

Hear, and testify in the house of Jacob, says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

The verse begins, “Hear, and testify in the house of Jacob,...” Amos began with the word, “Hear” or “listen to and obey”, “and testify” which means “repeat, go about, do again and surround” “in the house” or “dwelling, shelter and habitation” “of Jacob” which means “heel holder or supplanter” and was “the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham and the father of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel”. The LORD through Amos desired for the people within “Jacob” to “listen to, obey and repeat” what He was to declare unto them.

The verse continues, “...says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,” Amos added, “says” or “utters, declares and proclaims” “the Lord God” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”, “the God” or “ruler, judge and divine one” “of host” which means “those who go forth as in war or warfare like an army”. This was no ordinary person to “hear and testify”, but rather the omnipotent, creative and powerful God Almighty.

When we consider these words of Amos, we should be inspired to “listen” to the words Amos was to write. When the Creator of the universe speaks, people should harken unto Him and obey His commands. Oh how often we neglect to simply listen to the LORD, and as we consider how He has spoken to us through His Son Jesus Christ, we should be all the more attentive. May we recognize when the LORD speaks, and obey Him according to His omnipotent words.

Next time Amos tells the people how the LORD, “shall visit the transgressions of Israel”, 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.

As a Shepherd Takes Out of the Mouth Amos 3:12

As Amos the “herdsman” prophet continued to share the judgment that was to come upon the children of Israel, he shared God's words as He pronounced, “An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and your palaces shall be spoiled.” In chapter three and verse twelve of his prophesy, Amos continued to describe how the LORD would judge as he employed the example of a “shepherd” rescuing animals out of a “lion's” mouth. We read:

Thus says the LORD; As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

The verse begins, “Thus says the LORD; As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear;” Amos began with the words, “Thus 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”; “As the shepherd” which means “herdsman, grazer, tenderer and special friend” “takes out” or “snatches, delivers, rescues and saves” “of the mouth” which refers to “opening and orifice” “of the lion” or “young lion and king of the beasts” “two legs” or “lower limbs used for walking” “or a piece” which means “severed piece or part” “of an ear” or “the organ used for hearing”. To under stand Amos' example, we must imagine a “shepherd” pulling the “legs” and “parts of ears” of his sheep from a “lion's mouth”.

The verse continues, “so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.” Amos added, “so shall the children” which means “the sons, grandsons, and male children of a group” “of Israel” which means “God prevails” and was “the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “be taken out” or “snatched away, delivered, rescued and saved” “that dwell” which means “remain, sit and abide” “in Samaria” which means “watch mountain” and was “the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam” “in the corner” or “edge, side, quarter and extremity” “of a bed” which refers to “a couch or bier”, “and in Damascus” which means “damask or silk” and was “a metropolis of Damascene, Syria which was situated on the river Chrysorrhoas in a large and fertile plain at the foot of Antilibanus “in a couch” or “a indulgent divan or bed”. Amos' example was the manner the “children of Israel” would be pulled from the luxurious living in “corners of beds” and “couches” in “Samaria” and “Damascus”.

When we think through these words of Amos, we discover how much God cares for the people of Israel. Though they would not listen to or obey Him, they would be extracted by their faithful shepherd. The difficulty would be that Israel who were living in “luxury” would suffer for their insubordination. We must be careful not to live our lives in such a luxurious manner that we forget the first principles of God. Jesus Christ came to save us from that manner of living, and if we forsake our relationship with Him for the sake of the things of this world, we align ourselves with those who sat upon “divans” and “couches”. May we always realize the importance of the most valuable asset we may obtain – a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and by His Holy Spirit.

Next time Amos tells the people, “Hear, and testify in the house of Jacob ”, 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.

Your Palaces Destroyed Amos 3:11

Amos the prophet declared the people of Israel “know not to do right” and were as those“who store up violence and robbery in their palaces”. He continued to share how the LORD would judge them in chapter three and verse eleven of his prophesy, as he declared how their “palaces” would be “destroyed”. We read:

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down your strength from you, and your palaces shall be spoiled.

The verse begins, “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land;” Amos began with the word, “Therefore” which means “in conclusion, on this account and because of this” “thus says” or “utters, proclaims and declares” “the Lord GOD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”; “An adversary” or “foe, enemy or oppressor” “there shall be even round about” which is the Hebrew word “cabiyb” means “places round about or a circuit” “the land” which refers to “the earth, territory, region or district”. God proclaimed that a “foe and enemy” would come upon Israel and surround their land.

The verse goes on to say, “and he shall bring down your strength from you, and your palaces shall be spoiled.” Amos continued, “and he shall bring down” or “descend, decline, march down, sink down and protrate” “your strength from you” which means “might both physical and spiritual and also material and political”, “and your palaces” or “citadels and fortresses” “shall be spoiled” which means “plundered, preyed upon, seized and despoiled”. The result of the enemy's encircling would be the removal of any “power” and “fortress” in which they felt secure.

When we meditate upon these words of Amos, we can almost hear the pathos in his thoughts. The people of Israel were God's chosen people, and yet, they forsook Him and His ways. He loved them, and they rejected Him. He cared for them, and they wandered away from His precepts. Thus, they would be judged by “an adversary” who would destroy everything in which they thought themselves safe. Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins and turn us to the living and loving God, and should we reject him and wander from His ways, let us not be deceived into thinking our “power” and “fortresses” will never be destroyed. The wise person will give their lives to Jesus Christ now before their “palaces” fall beneath the mighty hand of God.

Next time Amos writes concerning the way “a shepherd takes out of the mouth”, 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.

They Know Not to Do Right Amos 3:10

The people of Israel had turned from the ways of the LORD and found themselves directly in the path of the judgment of Almighty God. Amos the prophet shared how they ignored normal alarms such as a “lion roaring”, “trumpets blowing” and “calamity in the city”, and in chapter three and verse ten of his prophesy, “the LORD” through Amos declares “they know not to do right” where we read:

For they know not to do right, says the LORD,

who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

The verse begins, “For they know not to do right, says the LORD,...” Amos began with the words, “For they know” which means “they discern, discriminate, recognize or admit” “not to do” or “not to fashion, make, accomplish or produce” “right” or “straightforwardness, properly, recititude or equity”, “says the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God uttering, proclaiming and declaring”. God Almighty declared that they did not even “have knowledge of” how to do the “proper and straightforward” thing.

The verse goes on to say, “...who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.” Amos continued, “who store or “save, lay up and treasure” “up violence” which means “wrong, cruelty and injustice” “and robbery” or “havoc, violence, destruction, devastation and ruin” “in their palaces” which refers to “their citadels and fortresses”. Rather than do “right”, the people of Israel “laid up” and “treasured” “violence” and “ruin” in their places of royalty.

When we think through these words of Amos, we discover the LORD's appraisal of the people within Israel. His assessment was they don't even “know” how to do “right”, and they rather “treasure” “cruelty and havoc” instead of following the LORD's ways. Many would see our society in the same vain today. Jesus Christ came to save people from their natural sinful ways and to turn them to follow after God. We “know” what is “right” by following after the ways of Jesus, and those who are wise will not be among those who “lay up” “violence and robbery” in this world.

Next time Amos writes how the “palaces will be destroyed”, 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.

Tumults and Oppressed Amos 3:9

As Amos the prophet continued to persuade the people of Israel of their pending judgment, he shared how they thought the “Lord God will do nothing”, however God “reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets”. He asked them to consider when the “lion has roared, who will not fear?” and “who can but prophesy” when “the Lord GOD has spoken”. In chapter three and verse nine of his prophesy, Amos shared how royalty were to observe the “great tumults” and “the oppressed in the midst” of Israel where we read:

Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.

The verse begins, “Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria,...” Amos began with the word, “Publish” or “hear, hearken, obey, understand, be obedient, diligent, discern, perceive and tell” “in the palaces” which refers to “citadels and fortresses” “at Ashdod” which means “powerful” and was “a major Philistine city on the Mediterranean Sea west from Jerusalem which is modern Esdud”, “and in the palaces” which refers to “citadels and fortresses” “in the land” or “the earth, country, territory and region” “of Egypt” which means “land of the Copts” “and was “a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine and through which the Nile flows”, “and say” or “utter, proclaim or declare”, “Assemble” or “gather in and collect” “yourselves upon the mountains” which refers to “the people of Israel on the hill country” “of Samaria” which means “watch mountain” and was “the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam”. Amos called for the princes within the “citadels and fortresses” of “Ashdod” and “Egypt” to gather together as witnesses on “the mountains of Samaria”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.” Amos continued, “and behold” or “see, inspect, perceive and consider” “the great tumults” which means “confusion, disquietude, discomfiture, destruction, trouble and vexation” “in the midst thereof” or “in the inner part such as the seat of thought and emotion”, “and the oppressed” which means “the extortion and tyranny” “in the midst thereof” or “in the middle of, through, among and between the seat of thought and emotion”. Amos called the princes of those nations to see the great “confusion and discomfiture” and the “extortion and tyranny” acted out by the princes in Israel.

When we consider these words of Amos, we see how he called for the royalty to observe the manner in which Israel's people treated the poor. The people of Israel brought “confusion” and “tyranny” upon those who were disadvantaged, and Amos wanted their enemies to observe it. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners from their sins, and rather than having others observe the “tumults” and “persecution” we bring upon the “oppressed”, let us turn from wicked ways lest we be like those in Israel who fell beneath the awesome judgment of God.

Next time Amos writes how the people of Israel “know not to do right ”, 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.