The Failing Numbers Amos 5:3

Amos the prophet continued to share the “lament” of the LORD over Israel who forsook His commandments and ways. Israel became vulnerable to their enemies, and though they were as a “pure virgin” in spirit, they were now subject to punishment from their foes. In chapter five and verse three of his prophesy, Amos shared how the “number of troops” in which Israel relied were to be greatly reduced where we read:

For thus says the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.

The verse begins, “For thus says the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred,...” Amos began with the words, “For thus says” or “utters, proclaims and declares” “the Lord” which means “” “GOD” or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”; “the city” which refers to “the town or place of waking which was guarded” “that went out” or “exited, went forth and departed” “by a thousand” which means “a company of men under one leader, troops” “shall leave” or “be left over and behind” “an hundred” which means “a simple number or a fraction of the whole”. The LORD declared although Israel would go forth with “troops” of thousands, they would only return with a simple fraction of them.

The verse goes on to say, “...and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.” Amos continued, “and that which went forth” or “the people that exited, departed and lead out” “by an hundred” which means “the simple fraction of the whole” “shall leave ten” or “an even smaller number or a fraction of the fraction”, “to the house” which means “the dwelling, habitation, place and abode” “of Israel” which means “God prevails” and refers to “the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Though Israel would send out the smaller groups of only “hundreds”, they would return with only “tens”.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see the reduction of power within Israel. Without the hand of the LORD guiding and protection them, the “troops” of Israel would be reduced in number as they engaged their enemies. The LORD on our side is more valuable than hundreds and thousands of troops, and it is by His power that any nation is sustained. Jesus Christ, God's Son, sits at the right hand of His Father on High, and He watches over His own. The key is for us to abide beneath “the shadow of His wing” where no opposition can prevail. If we choose otherwise, the numbers upon which we depend may only be reduced in size as the LORD withdraws His mighty hand.

Next time Amos relays the LORD's words,“seek me, 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.