The Lion Roared and God has Spoken Amos 3:8

Amos the “herdsman” prophet relayed the words of “judgment” from “the LORD” toward the people of “Israel”. They had forsaken God and His ways, and Amos employed the “lion”, the “bird”, a “trumpet” and “evil” to describe the alarm that is usually struck within foes or victims. Though “judgment” from God was imminent, the people acted as though “the LORD” would do nothing about their wickedness, but Amos in chapter three and verse eight of his prophesy shared how “fear” is the result of the “lion roaring” as well as when He has “spoken” through His “prophet” where we read:

The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?

The verse begins, “The lion has roared, who will not fear?” Amos began with the words, “The lion” or “a young lion as if plucking and tearing abroad” “has roared” which means “has rumbled, moaned or mightily cried in distress”, “who will not fear” or “who won't revere, be in awe or afraid”. Whenever a “lion roars”, it usually strikes “fear and awe” in all who hear it.

The verse goes on to say, “the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?” Amos continued, “the Lord God” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “has spoken” or “uttered, proclaimed and declared”, “who can but prophesy” which means “who can influence of divine spirit and inspiration”. Even as God spoke through his prophets, particularly Amos, he questioned as to who would be able to refrain from relaying His message.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see how the normal response to a “lion's roar” and the words of “a prophet” are usually “reverence” and “awe”, however, the people of Israel had no regard for “the LORD's” prophet. Even though the “roar of a lion” sounded, and “the LORD” spoke His words to “prophets”, the people of “Israel” ignored them and gave them no regard. Thus is the case with Jesus Christ. Though God sent His Son into the world to save people from their sins, many people ignore His offering, and thereby fit themselves to their own doom. May all who read these words hear the “roar” of the “lion of Judah” and heed the prophesies concerning Him before it is too late.

Next time Amos writes about “publishing” and “assembling”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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