The Warning
- Deborah
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bible Study
Amos 3:12-15 ESV
Less than 30 years after Amos prophesied, Israel was overtaken and held captive by the Assyrian Empire. They had been warned. Were they listening or did they think they had more time?
If I could time travel, I would return to Israel in the days that preceded the time before the captivity to visit an everyday family. I would ask them…are you listening to Yahweh and the words of the Prophet Amos? Have you heard?
In Amos 3:12-15 we are told: Thus says the Lord: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.“Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord God, the God of hosts “that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end,” declares the Lord.”
I think maybe they were much like we are today. The children have to prepare a gift for a friends party to go this morning. Then this afternoon I will walk them to the party. As soon as we get him we must prepare dinner.
Today (as difficult as it is to imagine) we are reminded there were no cars. If the children were small the mother would have to walk them to see their friend. It was several cubits away so she would stay at the party. After they walked home she would prepare dinner. They would eat bread, lentils, and vegetables. There was no chocolate or desert. They were grateful for what they had. There were no refrigerators so no leftovers were used. More than likely the bread was prepared early in the morning.
I have many questions about this family. We believe they worshipped God regularly at Temple sites that were designated. Once again they had to walk to get to Temple no matter how far it was from their home. Small children had to be carried.
My questions about this ancient family center around how often specific scriptures were read? In the thirty years between this prophesy and the Assyrian Empire capture of Israel, had they heard Amos’ prophesy read in Temple? Because the prophecy Amos spoke approximately thirty years before Israel’s downfall it’s possible there were people alive who remember the words the day Amos spoke them. However, in the 8th Century B.C. lifespan would have been around 30-40 years. The only way someone would heard Amos’ prophesy would have been if they lived longer.
Once again (obviously) there were no tapes, videos, or even carved stones set up in the square for common people to see. Farmers were not taught to read. Very bright children were able to go to Rabbinical for as many years as they could keep up with the strict memorization standard. Once a boy child could not keep up in school he was sent home to learn the trade of his father. Boys were not allowed to learn a different trade.
Girls were not allowed to go to school. They learned from their mother everything she knew. Generally speaking girls were not allowed to choose their husband. Their parents made those decisions.
As far as Amos’ prophecy we are given graphic examples of Israel being torn apart on the day the Assyrian army marched on Israel. The punishment for Israel’s lack of attention to God’s laws is clear. Amos warned them and they did not turn back to God. God saw Israel’s idolatrous worship and their lavish lifestyle (houses of ivory). Only a remnant remained. More than likely they were the poor. According to Amos the wealthy had put their faith in their ivory towers and not in the Lord God.
When I was young I remember my dad reading the words of the prophets over and over again. He warned not to put faith in wealth or power but to keep my eyes on God daily. The legacy I was given was not found in wealth or possessions.
It was in the grace and the abundance of God’s love. Cherish THOSE things.