Amos 3:1-8 Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel… This is shameful ingratitude. The honour and blessing conferred on the Israelites gave the stain of ingratitude to every act of transgression of which they were guilty. It is direct rebellion. "You only have I known," so as to reveal to you My will. Iniquity in you is disobedience to express commands, revolt against My authority. It is a dishonour offered to God. The privilege of being called after the name of God brings with it the danger of profaning that name by transgression. The nearer in privilege, the nearer we are to judgment. Distinguished blessings are leading to distinguished reward, or to distinguished punishment. 1. We are taught here that the providence of God prepares good and evil for man. View what are called common mercies in their origin, and "understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." Evil is also prepared for the sinner, in the sense of calamity, judgment. 2. We are taught by the prophet's vindication of the doctrine of a special providence to be very earnest when affliction comes in, working together with God, that it may do us good. Remember that God intended that sorrow to come as it did come, and when it did come. 3. When the trumpet of God's Word is sounded by His ministers, let us give heed to the note of warning or exhortation. 4. When there is evil in the land, let us with reverence acknowledge the hand of God. 5. The Lord revealeth His secret to His servants the prophets. (1) He does this by giving them spiritual apprehension of the truths of His Holy Word, causes them to see terror in the threatenings thereof, sweetness in its promises, duty in its precepts. (2) Nothing is coming upon man that has not been revealed. (3) The Holy Spirit directs the thoughts and words of His ministering servants, so as best to suit the particular need of those whom they address. At all times the sincere preaching of the Word may be expected to give offence. See how dangerous is the conduct of those who despise, oppose, revile, and persecute men of God for telling them plain truth with faithfulness and honesty. See where the true strength of a faithful dispenser of God's Word lies. The strength of the servant lies in his conviction that he is doing his Master's will. (Vincent W. Ryan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, |
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