Within the
prophesy concerning the judgment of Israel, Amos the prophet conveyed
the LORD's words to “Seek” Him and they would “live”.
In chapter five and verse five of his prophesy, Amos once again
directed his attention toward “Bethel and Gilgal” where we
read:
But seek
not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba:
for Gilgal
shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.
The
verse begins, “But seek not Bethel, nor enter into
Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba:” Amos
began with the word, “But”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “seek
not” or “do not resort to,
inquire or demand of” “Bethel”
which means “house of God” and was “ancient place and seat of
worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin which was identified with
Luz”, “nor enter”
or “come into, attain or be enumerated” “into Gilgal”
which means “a wheel rolling” and was “the first site of an
Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho where Samuel was
judge and Saul was made king. It was later used for illicit worship”,
“and pass not”
which means “do not cross, cross over, pass over, march over,
overflow or go over” “to Beersheba”
which means “well of the sevenfold oath” and was “a city at the
south edge of Israel”. Rather than “seeking the LORD”, the
people of Israel were inclined to seek other places of refuge from
their punishment.
The
verse goes on to say, “for Gilgal shall surely go into
captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.” Amos
continued, “for Gilgal”
which means “a wheel rolling” and was “the first site of an
Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho where Samuel was
judge and Saul was made king which was later used for illicit worship
” “shall surely go”
or “will remove and depart” “into captivity”
which literally means “denude” and refers to “being uncovered,
discovered, disclosed and in exile, “and Bethel”
which means “house of God” and was “ancient place and seat of
worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin which was identified with
Luz” “shall come to nought”
which means “will come to wickedness, sorrow, trouble and
iniquity”. The LORD warned Israel concerning their places of refuge
“Gilgal and Bethel”,
because they would only drive them into “exile” and “sorrows”
if they sought them instead of Him.
When
we consider these words of Amos, we see how the LORD knew the people
of Israel so well. Instead of listening to and obeying His
solicitation to “seek Him”, they would turn to their
surrounding cities for refuge. This effort would prove to be futile,
and that which they thought they'd avoid would become their fate.
Jesus Christ was sent by God Almighty to be the only “place of
refuge” for sinners which are separated from God. By listening to
Him, relying upon Him and trusting in Him to be our Savior and LORD,
we shall avoid the judgment to come. Any other “place of
refuge”shall vainly be reliable.
Next
time Amos tells
the people in Israel to “Seek
the LORD, and you shall live”,
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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