Relenting

Bible Study

Amos 7:1-6 ESV

In this lesson we saw an interesting turn of future events and we get a taste of an actual discussion between a prophet and God. Up until this point Amos’ prophesy’s have been made concerning Amos and Israel. However in this section there is a discussion between Amos, the Prophet and God.

We get the idea that Israel isn’t listening.

As a result of their stubborn condition and refusal to listen, a discussion between God and the Prophet Amos occurred. Surprisingly enough, Amos was standing in the gap FOR Israel.

Amos 7:1-6 says, “This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, he was forming locusts when the latter growth was just beginning to sprout, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, “O Lord God, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!” The Lord relented concerning this: “It shall not be,” said the Lord. This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, the Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land.Then I said, “O Lord God, please cease! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!”The Lord relented concerning this: “This also shall not be,” said the Lord God.”

In verse 1 God showed Amos his plan that included a locust infestation in Israel before the harvest. God was very specific about the locusts. They were in latter growth when the plant was just beginning to sprout. In Amos’ vision the  locust swarm finished eating the entire crop. The type of locust would have been the Palmer Worm.

Amos saw the land after the Palmer Worm passed through and the Prophet begged God to forgive Israel. The King’s part of the crop had been paid by a portion of the crop. Now if the locusts took the remaining portion (and destroyed it), Israel would starve. They did not have any other way to support themselves.

Amos reasoned the tribe of Jacob was small and they had no other means of support. The Prophet begged God to have mercy.

They didn’t deserve mercy but God gave mercy. Amos prayed and asked God to be merciful and God was merciful.

If you’ve ever thought prayer is a waste of time, go back and read Amos 7. Amos’ prayers for Israel were heard and God responded with mercy.

Then Amos saw a vision of fire and Amos saw the entire land being consumed by fire. Once again Amos prayed that God would be merciful. And God relented.

Both times that God relented occurred because the Prophet Amos asked in prayer that God would relent and not be harsh with Israel.  God relented.

Nothing is said about Israel praying, but Amos

the Prophet prayed and God heard Amos’ prayers.

At different times in my life people have told me that God doesn’t hear their prayers.  They need to read Amos 7:1-6 because God does change (listen) when we pray!

Deborah

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