When Amos the
prophet was commissioned to share the LORD's judgment upon Israel, he
told them how God withheld “rain” from them when they
“were yet three months to the harvest”. God selectively
caused it to “rain” in one city and not “rain”
in another “city” and wherever it “rained”
there was a great harvest of crops. In chapter four and verse eight
of his prophesy, Amos shared how the people of Israel suffered a
drought and “wandered unto one city...and were not satisfied”
where we read:
So two or
three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water;
but they
were not satisfied: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD.
The
verse begins, “So two or
three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water;” Amos
began with the words, “So two or
three cities”
which means “two or three towns, abodes or places guarded by waking
or a watch” “wandered”
or “quivered, tottered, shook, reeled, staggered, moved, sifted,
wavered and trembled” “unto one
city”
which refers to “a town, abode or place guarded by waking or a
watch”, “to drink water”
or “imbibe water”. Because of the drought that came upon Israel,
the people within their “cities”
were forced to search other cities for “water”.
The
verse continues, “but they were not satisfied: yet have
you not returned unto me, says the LORD.” Amos
added, “but” which
is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated, “they
were not satisfied” which
means “sated, be fulfilled and surfeited”: “yet you
have not returned” or “Israel
had not turned or gone back and repented” “unto me”
which refers to “the LORD”,
“says” or “utters,
proclaims and declares” “the LORD”
or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name
for the one true God”. Though the drought fell upon Israel and
forced them to search for “water”, they still did not “return”
to their relationship with the LORD.
When
we meditate upon these words of Amos, we see how the people of Israel
were affected by the drought that came upon them. They were famished
for water, traveled for it still couldn't recognize the hand of the
LORD was adversely upon them. Rather than turning back to God, they
continued in their insolent ways. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to
reconcile people to God, and some of those people have great
adversity and need in their lives. Those afflictions are often meant
to turn people back to the LORD, and this only is managed by humbling
themselves, turning from their wicked ways, and repenting of their
sins. Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me,
and drink” (John 7:37). and when
people return to Him, He welcomes them with open arms and has
refreshing “water” for the quenching of the thirst of their
souls.
Next
time Amos shares how
the LORD had “smitten them
with blasting and mildew”,
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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