1947 Bible Studies - page 100

BIBLE STUDIES.

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From Atherton. -- It has been truly said that history repeats itself, and with deep solemnity and tragic sadness we read of the failure of God’s people in successive dispensations -- failure in the identical course and manner of their predecessors, who, having known the mighty hand of God in deliverance, in separation, in the establishment of divine worship and service, yet with deliberate purpose and utter defiance, they eventually backslide to such an extent that God’s messengers are mocked, His words are despised, and His prophets scoffed at, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people until there was no remedy (2 Chronicles 36. 16). In chapters 7. to 9. of Amos we reach this stage in the history of the ten tribes.  Utter destruction and desolation must fall upon a

people who had turned from God to idols, upon whom the word of the LORD through His prophets had not the slightest effect, whose hearts were far removed from their great Deliverer.

Four symbols are used to indicate the process and development of God’s righteous displeasure. Concerning a basket of summer fruits, several suggestive thoughts were expressed : --

(a) The summer fruit like the plumbline is as a standard set against Israel.

Her days of fruitfulness had passed.  In earlier days God looked for fruit and found it to His great joy.  " The firstfruits of His increase " (Jeremiah 2. 3).

She was only the bearer of " early " fruit (Young), and at this later date bore no fruit to God.

(b) A symbol of the end of the harvest in Israel’s experience at which time there is no fruit for God. See also Micah 7. 1.

(c) Summer fruit is suggestive of ripeness, and Israel was now ripe for the judgment of God.

(d) God presents in the basket a picture of His blessings which He fain would have desired to continue, but instead judgment is determined.

Even in such a scene of degradation and unbelief, we marvel at the partial stemming of the tide of divine judgment by the prayer of the faithful prophet --

" the supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working, " and who can tell in our day and time, whether God will keep back His fierce judgment for the sake of those who continually " pray for the peace of Jerusalem " ? Chapter 9.

indicates the terrible judgments and searching devastation, as God, the God of love and deliverance, rises to do " His work, His strange work, and to bring to pass His act, His strange act " (Isaiah 28. 21, Hebrews 12. 29).

God’s people may fail, but God’s purpose and promise will never fail, for He will raise up the ruins and build again that which is fallen, and Judah and Israel shall know famine and pestilence, peril or sword, no more, but enjoy to the full the super-abundance of that glorious day in their own land, when " the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose -- they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God "

(Isaiah 35. 1 and 2).

The query was raised regarding Amos 8. 11 to 13, as to what period it refers.  1

It was thought that primarily it refers to the condition of things in the great tribulation, i. e., the latter half of Daniel’s seventieth week, when God’s servants will not be able openly to give testimony from the word of the LORD. Also, the scripture may bear reference to the cessation of His dealings with them just prior to their being taken into final captivity to Assyria. His prophets would be removed and thus there would be a dearth or famine for the word of the LORD.

Verse 14 seems to link it up with that period. Some thought exactly the opposite to this, while others did not think it had any application to the tribulation period E. Birchall, G. Sankey. ·

at all.