012. V. Symbolic Visions Of Impending Judgment (7:1-9, 8:1-9:6)
V SYMBOLIC VISIONS OF IMPENDING JUDGMENT (Amos 7:1-9;Amos 8:1toAmos 9:6) The lesson of the locust plague (Amos 7:1-3). If you do not apprehend the full significance of my plain statements, O Israel, I will present the same truths to you in pictures, so that, with the aid of memory and of imagination, you may see as well as hear, and thus perchance be led to profit by my message. During those troublesome days through which you have passed,[3] my eyes, enlightened by Jehovah, beheld the dread sight of a vast army of locusts sweeping over the land, devastating all before them. The calamity was the greater because it came just as the people were about to reap their spring crops, upon which they depended for subsistence. Recognizing that it was sent as a judgment, I besought Jehovah to pardon, not because the punishment was unmerited, but because Israel was so unprepared to survive it. Infinitely compassionate, he granted my petition, and spared.
Fiery judgment averted (Amos 7:4-6). Again the Almighty opened my eyes, not only to see, but to understand, the significance of a consuming drought, which like a mighty conflagration dried up the great source of all waters, and threatened to burn up the parched earth. Knowing that it was sent in judgment, I besought him to spare, and again he answered me.
Israel measured by the plummet and found wanting (Amos 7:7-9). Still a third time Jehovah presented to my mind a vision of himself standing with a plummet in his hand. When I understood the meaning of that symbol of impartial justice, no longer could I crave mercy for Israel, that nation fallen so far from the standard of right Therefore I listened to Jehovah’s declaration that he would no more pardon his people, but that rather he would speedily bring upon their corrupt sanctuaries and ruling house the fire and sword of the conqueror.
Israel ripe for judgment (Amos 8:1-14). When Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, drove me forth, denying to Jehovah’s prophet free utterance,—his God-given right,—there rose before me the vision of a basket of summer fruit, luscious, outwardly attractive, but dead ripe, and destined within a few days to become a mass of loathsome putrefaction. “Even thus,” for so Jehovah interpreted to me, “is Israel ripe[4] for punishment” Bitter cries of lamentation shall soon succeed present festivity. Where now stands the joyful throng, heaps of corpses, hushed in death, shall lie. Know the fate which awaits you, rapacious rulers and merchants,—you who show no mercy to the poor and needy, you whose chief aim is to cheat both God and your fellow-men. As surely as Jehovah is omnipotent, your sins shall be punished. Nature shall conspire with the hostile foe to complete the destruction of your land. Anguish inexpressible shall fill all hearts. Then, too late, shall arise an intense longing to receive a prophetic message from Jehovah; but none shall then be vouchsafed. The ardent devotees of the popular shrines, such as Samaria and Dan, shall likewise share the common fate.
Divine vengeance upon the nation (Amos 9:1-6). As I meditated upon the conditions which I found in Northern Israel, the corruption of civil and religious rulers, the hollow formalism of the national religion, the blind popular confidence in ceremonialism, I seemed to see Jehovah standing above the altar from whence the smoke of their sacrifices rose. No blessing descended. Instead came the command to smite the supports of the great temple, which forthwith fell in overwhelming ruin upon the heads of the worshipers. With that command came the divine declaration that the sword should complete the work of destruction. Neither in the depths of the earth, nor on the dizzy heights, nor within lonely mountain caves, nor in the distant lands of exile, should escape be found from the hand of the avenger. He who rules supreme over the forces of heaven and earth Jehovah at whose command land and sea are transformed, has issued the mandate,—let no one hope for an instant that that just decree shall fail of fulfilment.