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…

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