A FAMINE OF HEARING GOD'S WORD Amos Eight In this section of scripture God showed Amos a basket of summer fruit. The fruit was very ripe. When fruit is very ripe like this it is ready to be spoiled. God wanted Israel to understand that the end was near and that they were ready for judgment. God a... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE VISION OF SUMMER FRUIT -- AMOS 8:1-3:_ Several times in the Book of Amos the prophet describe visions shown to him by God. Here the Lord showed him a basket of ripe summer fruit. The ripe fruit comes near the end of the season. It was the end of the season for Israel. The season of blessings is... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE NATURE OF ISRAEL'S SIN -- AMOS 8:4-6:_ God reminded the leaders of Israel of their sins in taking advantage of the poor to expand their own selfish interests. They had literally swallowed up the needy. The affluent leaders in Israel had swallowed up the poor, their labors, gains, and profits, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE NATURE OF ISRAEL'S JUDGMENT -- AMOS 8:7-10:_ Israel was prideful or arrogant about the fact that they were descendants of Jacob. God told them that this fact would not cause Him to forget any of their evil deeds. God forgets our sins when He forgives them. Therefore Israel's sins would be unfor... [ Continue Reading ]
_A FAMINE FOR THE WORD OF GOD -- AMOS 8:11-14:_ God promised a horrible famine in the land. It would not be a shortage of food and water. The people would be hungry and thirsty to hear the word of God. God would cease to offer His message of hope for the people. God said, "You will search everywhere... [ Continue Reading ]