The Prudent Keep Silence Amos 5:13

Amos the “herdsman” prophet shared the LORD's judgment upon the people of Israel, and he told them how God knew their “manifold transgressions” and their “mighty sins” as “they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.” In chapter five and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Amos shared how those who were “prudent” among the people of Israel would “keep silence” in those times where we read:

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

The verse begins, “Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time;” Amos began with the word, “Therefore” which is a conclusion word that means “since, on account of and wherefore” “the prudent” or “circumspect, wisely understood and prospering” “shall keep silence” which means “be still, wait and to be and grow dumb” “in that time” which refers to “the occasion and experience when God reveals the manifold transgressions and mighty sins”. Amos' idea is the “spiritually wise” will be quiet about God's revelation and keep from participating in any activities related to their nefarious deeds.

The verse goes on to say, “for it is an evil time.” Amos continued, “for it is an evil” or “bad, disagreeable, malignant, unhappy and miserable” “time” which means “event, occasion and experience”. The “wicked and villainous season” would be the reason the “spiritually wise” would keep from speaking and participating in their deeds.

When we meditate upon these words of Amos, we marvel at the “spiritually wise” among the people of Israel. Rather than involve themselves in the sinful activities of the people, the “prudent” kept themselves from them. The did not speak about them, and they did not participate in any manner. Holiness is a characteristic of God - “Be Holy for I am Holy” (Leviticus 11:44), and for this reason Jesus Christ came to the earth to live and demonstrate to us a “holy life”. Perhaps as we consider Amos' thoughts about the “prudent” we find ourselves in similar “evil and wicked” conditions. Let us be “spiritually wise” and keep from speaking and acting as those who participate in “manifold transgressions and mighty sins”.

Next time Amos tells Israel to “seek good, not evil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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