Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD has not done it? The inscription which adorns the south entablature of the monument by London Bridge, and the ancient custom of this corporation remind us that we are assembled to commemorate one of the most awful calamities under which this city ever mourned, the great fire of 1666. Why are such calamities sent? Whatever agents God employs, they are only permitted to act just so fax as He has ordained, and no farther. Sometimes to punish, sometimes to reward. This principle is evident from those records of causes and effects, of predictions and fulfilments, which the revealed Word of God supplies. I know how much this Word has been despised by the world, neglected by the careless, held in disrepute by the wise, obscured by one Church, hidden by a second, and intonated into empty sound by a third; but still this, and this alone, is the written memorial of providence, the act of God's legislature, the rule of His judgment, the cause of the acquittal, or of the condemnation of man. Trace the history of causes and effects in God's Word. In minute circumstances man contrives, and God disposes. Man is free to act, God directs the blow. Who were the agents of the fire of 1666? Many were accused; but the "London Gazette" of that time wisely said, "The whole was the effect of an unhappy chance: or, to speak better, the heavy hand of God upon us for our sins, showing us the terror of His judgment in thus raising the fire." Why was London thus marked for destruction? It was for our example. There was sin there — sin, perhaps, which God would not pardon. There were then great provocations against God. The moral improprieties and extravagancies of the court and of the nobility were notorious. The iniquities which reigned there were too open for concealment. And there is evil in the city still. And there are judgments of the Lord still afflicting us. But from that extremity of woe, time, the restorer of all things, raises up the fallen city. The power of providence, which brought this evil upon her, cheers her with substantial visions of future peace and plenty. And so it ever is. He who afflicts, corrects, punishes, is also the Redeemer and Restorer. (S. Reed Cattley, M. A.)Evil, or suffering, as chastisement or condemnation: — "Temptation," or testing, may be trial from God, or with evil intent from the devil or wicked persons. Glory, may mean either brightness, splendour, or goodness, loveliness of character. "Evil" may be either sin or suffering. The second sense of evil is to be found in the text. I. "EVIL," AS PUNISHMENT FOR SINS, "DONE" BY GOD. Amos foretells suffering as merited by sin (ver. 2). Yet a visitation of chastening mercy (Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 5:9, 12). Troubles in a city, or family, or people, may be punishing providences. They may be chastisement or condemnation. II. NATIONAL SINS BRING ON NATIONAL JUDGMENTS. God has declared the responsibility of a people. Plague, invasion, dearth, may be evils sent by Him to whom it "belongeth justly to punish sinners." Amos calls to repentance. Judgments are conditional God reveals that men may escape. III. AS TO INDIVIDUALS, SPECIAL SUFFERINGS MAY BE PUNISHMENT FOR SPECIAL SINS. Let us have a "may be" in judging others. In the case of the true believer afflictions are for purifying, for profit, and generally, for glorifying God. Be not hasty in regarding evil as a token of God's anger towards you. Yet humbly examine and judge. Look above second causes. Receive the hand of God upon you for good. Of some special sin repented of, "covered," the sorrow, the consequent "evil" may remain. Closing period of David's life. Manasseh truly turned, but he could not help seeing the mischief that he had done. Faith's comfort when regarding affliction as the punishment of sin is that it comes from the Everlasting Love; not from chance or fate, but from the "Father of Mercies," perfect in wisdom and justice. "In the way of Thy judgments have we waited for Thee." (W. O. Purton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? |
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