Amos the prophet used the
illustration of a “lion and a young lion” as well as a
“bird” caught
“in a snare” to describe the validity of Israel being judged
by “the LORD”. In chapter three and verse six of his
prophesy, Amos employed the example of a “trumpet” and
“evil” existing in a “city” where we read:
Shall a trumpet be
blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
shall there be evil in
a city, and the LORD has not done it?
The
verse begins, “Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the
people not be afraid?” Amos began with the words, “Shall a
trumpet” or “showphar” which means a ram's horn or horn”
“be blown” which means “clapped, struck, sounded, thrust
or blasted” “in the city” or “in the town or place of
waking”, “and the people” which refers to “nation,
persons, compatriots, countrymen, compatriots, kindred or kinsmen”
“not be afraid” or “tremble, quake, move about, be
startled or terrified”?
The
verse goes on to say, “shall there be evil in a city, and the
LORD has not done it?” Amos continued, “shall
there be evil” which means “bad, disagreeable, malignant,
unpleasant, unhappiness, misery and wickedness” “in a city”
or “town or place of waking”, “and the LORD” which
refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the
proper name for the one true God” “has not done it” or
“fashioned, accomplished, made, produced or acted with effect”?
When we
consider these words of Amos, we see how he used the way a “trumpet
blast” and “evil” moves and scatters people within a
city. “The LORD” was to send judgment upon the people of
Israel, and yet, they were not affected at all. Though “punishment”
was pending upon them, they were not moved to scramble to save
themselves. Jesus Christ came to the earth to save people from
eternal damnation because of their sins, and still, they do not
repent and turn to Him in belief of His sacrificial death on the
cross. Though “the LORD's” “trumpet sounds” and He
allows “evil” to come upon them, they will not turn from
their way. May all who read these words take heed.
Next
time Amos shares how God “reveals
his secret unto his servants the prophets”,
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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