The LORD Pressed Under Israel Amos 2:13

The people of “Israel” were God's chosen ones, and yet they strayed from His commandments and His ways. In additions, they influenced “the Nazarites” and “the prophets” who were among them to stray away from the LORD. In chapter two and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Amos shared how the LORD was “pressed under Israel” by these actions where we read:

Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves

The verse begins, “Behold, I am pressed under you,...” Amos began with the word, “Behold” or “Look and pay attention to” “I am pressed” which means “the LORD was crushed, tottered and weighted down” “under you” which refers to the Israelites. Like a wagon that is loaded down with abundant produce, the Lord was being “pressed upon” by His own people.

The verse goes on to say, “...as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves” Amos continued, “as a cart” or “wagon or chariot” “is pressed” which means “crushed, tottered and weighted down” “that is full” or “filled completely or abundantly” “of sheaves” which refers to “swaths or fallen or harvested grain”. Amos gave an example of the way “sheaves of wheat” weigh down the “cart” they are placed upon during the harvest time to show how Israel “loaded down” the LORD by their ways.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see how the behavior of Israel affected the LORD. Their disobedience to his commandments and disregard for His provision “weighed” Him down and brought Him to the place of judgment. We do not want to affect the LORD in this manner. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to lift the burden of sin off humanity, and those who believe in and trust Him will know the “lifting” of that burden. Therefore, let us always yield our lives to Him and not “crush” Him with our disobedience, and may He continue to influence us to act according to His will.

Next time we see Amos write to the “swift” the “strong” and the “mighty”, 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.