Concerning Amos 4, I know that this is a prophecy that was already fulfilled, in the time of the Assyrians dispersion of the Northern Ten Tribes. So stay with me while I mention what you can call a “coincidence” if you want.
Amos 4 sounds like modern Israel. God’s idea was that He would give them a land
and He would prosper them in it. If they
did not obey Him He would limit or deprive them of the prosperity. So in recent years Israel has not had enough
water “naturally” (4:7-8), yet they have overcome this by perfecting
desalinization. Israel experiences crop
disease (4:9) but develop scientific cures or answers. Covid was heavy in Israel (4:10), but Israel
overcame it by good medical care. And
(4:6) Israel depends on trade with other nations for the food they need. Now, most recently on Oct. 7, 2023, some
Israeli’s have been overthrown (4:11) and as usual Israel is able to answer
with a powerful and smart army.
The question that Amos is presenting is this:
when these things happened did Israel see God at work? Did Israel turn to God in repentance?
So now, in 5:1-3 there is the lamentation for
the nation that does not return to the LORD, that does not follow the
prescription given in 5:4-9. “Seek the
LORD and live!” Judgment will come
(5:10-13). Though Israel seems to be
prosperous (houses of hewn stone are all over Israel, required for new building
in Jerusalem). But God knows their
mighty sins! “Seek good and not evil!” (5:14-15).
Amos then speaks of the Day of the LORD. This does have modern day
application. The times of the Assyrians
and Babylonians and Romans were “the Day of the LORD” but also pointed to the
ultimate “Day of the LORD” which, as 2 Thessalonians 2 indicates, is still in
Israel’s future. Those religious Jews
who long for this Day don’t understand that the darkness comes before the
dawning (5:18-20). Feast days in Israel
today are a sham (5:21-24). Why are they
a sham? Because they mix idolatry/secularism
with religious customs.
This brings us to Amos 6. Woe to those living at ease (6:1-2). It’s interesting that Hamas massacre many
Jews at a “peace festival” in the desert.
There was feasting, dancing, etc. (6:3-7). It was supposed to be related
to “Succoth” or the “Feast of Tabernacles.”
It is interesting that in Israel there were
people entrusted with the responsibility to find and identify the dead bodies and
get them burial in a timely manner (6:9-10).
The concern today is that this was done without gathering needed
evidence of rape that would satisfy the world’s demand for proof. But the issue is not the world but the
LORD. He knows!
As we have noted before, the question that
must be asked is, what is the LORD doing in all this. In 6:11 Amos notes that the pain inflicted is
the LORD’s doing, ultimately. Israel is
proud of her military might (6:12-14).
But destroying Gaza is a “nothing” (LoDebar) and Hamas is an
insignificant “horn” (Karnaim). The day is
coming when Ezekiel 38-39 will happen … from the entrance of Hamath (Lebanon,
Metula, Dan) to the Arabah (Eilat).
I am not saying Oct. 7 is some direct
fulfillment of Amos. What I am
saying is that the questions raised by the LORD through the prophet need to be
raised by Israel. Is this God’s call to
get Israel’s attention? Does it cause
them to return to the LORD? What we do
know is that there is a coming Day of the LORD and in that day Israel will be
saved. The process will involve a time
of great trouble and anguish and horror for Israel, brought by the
nations. Israel will have no
friends at this time. Why will this
happen? Because the LORD vows to honor
His name through His treasured nation, and the treasured nation has not been
willing to turn to the LORD in times like this.
Instead, they turn to themselves, their military, their scientists,
their expertise and so forth.
The day of the LORD is coming. It will be terrible, far greater than Oct. 7. But Israel will be saved. A remnant will enter the Kingdom of Messiah!
Behold, the day
of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle
against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women
ravished. Half of the city shall go into
captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zechariah
14:1-2
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