Amos 1:2 (ESV)
And he said:
“The LORD roars from Zion
and utters his voice from Jerusalem;
the pastures of the shepherds mourn,
and the top of Carmel withers.”
After introducing everyone to who he is (a shepherd), Amos starts this prophecy with what most Bible teachers today would call the Big Idea of his talk, or writings. The above verse is Amos’ thesis statement. He tells everyone he was a shepherd and God called him to speak the following truths to the leaders of the northern and southern nations of the split Israel. His message is summarized in two thoughts:
1. God is going to speak to the divided nation and it will be the sound of a roaring lion, coming out of Jerusalem, the place of God’s dwelling. Make no mistake, Amos is telling them all that this is about to be a turn or burn type speech.
2. There would be devastation in the land. The second line of the above verse states that the shepherds will mourn and the top of Mt. Carmel withers. This is a statement that demonstrates God’s roaring like a lion is not just a metaphor of God speaking to the nation. His speaking will carry actions. Amos, as a shepherd would know what it is like to have the source of food destroyed. They would mourn for the sheep. God is not just talking, Amos is telling them God will be acting.
The problem is, even though Amos for-warns them, here is what we read about their response:
Amos 4:8-11 (ESV)
so two or three cities would wander to another city
to drink water, and would not be satisfied;
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the LORD.
“I struck you with blight and mildew;
your many gardens and your vineyards,
your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured;
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the LORD.
“I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt;
I killed your young men with the sword,
and carried away your horses,
and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils;
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the LORD.
“I overthrew some of you,
as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning;
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the LORD.
When God speaks we are to listen and respond. When God roars we should stand up and take account of our lives. Yet, Israel did not. Judah did not. They ignored God. When that happens God gives them over to their own devices. This is exactly what Paul tells us in Romans. This is a lesson for us. If God speaks, move back to Him:
Romans 1:24-28 (ESV)
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
When we fail to hear God’s Word and respond, He can give us over to our debased minds.
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