The National tribune., 1891-04-30
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


lOue reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from tire Holy Scriptures
indicated above.l
sUEJEcT: PROPHECIES OF AMOS AGAINST
THE KINGDOM or ISRAEL IN PUNISHMENT
FOR THEIR IDOLATEY.
/. The PUNISHMENT SHOWN TO BE SEAE
AT HAND.
/. Data.
We have simply the account az given by the
prophet himself, to wit, the first three verses
Of chapter 5. No references are made 20 il
elsewhere In the Bible. There is quotation
found in TObit, 2: 8.
. Time.
We date about A. VI. 32I7. or B. c. 757. Amos
was contemporary with Hosea, Jonah and Joel.
Isaiah followed Immediately after Amos, and
possibly for time conformity with him.
3. Place.
The Capital OF the Kingdom Of Israel was Sa-
maria. Amaziah lived at Bethel, about p
miles south of Samaria. We may suppose
Amos made headquarters at the Capital. When
JerObOam established religious places Of wor-
ship in the Kingdom of Israel he selected
Bethel and Dan, which were at the ends. north
aud south, Of his territory. n hi, II 90
The priests Of the temple at Jerusalem would
not serve him at such points, and hence he
originated an independent priesthood. q XII,
u: b. Amaziah was one of said sacerdOtal
body.
4. The circumstance.
The people of tho Kingdom of Israel were
becoming more and more given over to idoa-
try. Though prospered in all temporal con-
Germs, JcrOboam III. was a leader in the sins Of
his people. God was about 10 withdraw fur
Their aid and eountenanCe and the Kingdom
was hence destined to speedy ruin. But our
Heavenly Father is patient. He will not de-
stroy without due warning. Gone far as the
Kingdom was, yet we may feel certain that
even then had it reformed il would have es-
capped Assyrian encroachments. IL needed a
brave man to 90 forth deuOuncing popular ma
tional sins involving even the King. i7:9J
No coward would dare threatened punishment
reaching even TO royalty. Preaching the truth,
Amos was accused of disoyalty. We remem-
Der how the leaders of the Jews bTOHght
charges against Christ to the effect he was
guilty Of seditiOn and was no friend TO Cesar.
Amaziah dealt thus with Amos. He sent word
10 the King that the prophet WAS cOnspirlng
against the throne. q: l0.) Rulers are always
very jealous of their power and their hold on
the Government Treason is a capital crime
in all lands. But it was not az King that Jer-
ObOam III. was denounced by Amos. AmaZiah
was willing Amos should prophecy against the
Kingdom Of Judah lie was indeed a hero
of Israel demanding that the people return to
the worship of Jehovah, give up idolatry, re-
form in morals, and seek the pardon and help
Of the Almighty. lie could not be intmI-
dated. lie was positive God had called him
to warn the people. The message he de-
clared was not original. He acted simply as
Gods agent. In the very face Of an order to
stop denouncing the sins Of Israel he actually
coruscates with Indignation and hurls thun-
derbOlts of warning.
3. The Message.
God appeared to Amos and delivered TO him
instruction. IL was by object teaching We
notice the graphic style. The interview was
IN the form Of vision. God showed the
prophet a basket Of Summer fruit. Such fruit
is ripe. ready To be eaten; will not keep. The
basket was the land Of Israel, the fruit was
the people. They were ripe for destruction.
Whatever was going to be done to them was to
be done at once. Their destruction was inn
pending. The Almighty accordingly said, &" /
will not pass by them any more" as; Mic,
.: 49, God had determined not any longer TO
overlook their sins. Matters were 20 be brought
to a finish. Nahum, 49, God would not be
called to pass by the people any longer in the
way Of discipline; he was on the point Of Civ
ing the final stroke.
6. The Consequence
The outlook for tho Kingdom Of Israel was
very discouaging. Worship should be with
eladness and soHg. (Deu.. 1871 y; I6: l1-I5.J
But the people were destined TO unhapDiness
even i'm their worship. To the pure the very
songs Of the evil are harsh and unwecome as
hOwiings (j:23.) Aud in sore distress men
aud women Of the East stop singing and 90 to
bowling. 1t seems that though not wOrshiping
at Jerusalem, they yet observed tho temple Gus
tom Of using music and song in their places of
sO-rallei worship. (6:5.) AS they had an in
dependent priesthood, so. too, they invented
chants and introduced instrumental music into
their devotons.
Aud there was indeed good reason why they
turned melody into bowling. The Assyrians
alter little came down on them like wolves
on the fold The dead lay scattered every
where. Generally much funeral attention was
given. Hired musicians filed the air with
vocal and instrumental music. But the ruin
was too general and terrible to allow Of any
formalty in burial. Even resources warrant
ing the hiring of professional mourners were
wanting. What Amos prophesied was to occur
came 10 pass. Dread settled dOwH on the King
dom. Sorrow was too great for utterauee, and
cemeteries gave forth no burial music. All
men walked softly, silently.
z. Suggestions.
l. We SEQ the utility Of object teaching. The
kindergarten should DO encouraged. Teachers
must remember pupils have eyes, and adapt
instruction to this fact. (Vs. l, p
2 We see also the advisableness of the cate
Ghetto method Of teaching. ". p
3. Cultivate church music vocal and instru-
mental. (Y.3; 6:5.)
4. We should remember our accountability
10 God. lie notices our conduct and will be
sure to judge u.s. Even Liyy said: 1t is lust
we should suffer for our sim" crucifx is
suspended OH the wall behind each Judge of
France, 50 as to remind all accused persons that
God is Just, and Will not permit any wrong to
remain UNPUBLISHED. Shakspere says Tin Henry
VIII:
Heaven Is above all: there sits Judge
That no King can corrupt
JerobOam III. found this true.
III. The DENUNCIATIONs OF AMOS AGAINST
THE DISHONESTY AND HEARTLEssNEss
OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.
/. Data.
Verses At of Amos, g.
g Time, Place aud Circumstances.
These are practically the same as in the par
agraph above.
3 The Charges.
/. Injustice to the poor is the severe accusa- |
ton. God has always had great concern for /
the needy. prov. 80: H. The people whom /
Amos denounced were anxious 10 become rich. |
{ Is. 5:Sl To get more wealthy they were /
poor. They got their living of the poor, and /
80 in one sense the poor became their diet. So 1
IL is said they were eager to swallow the poor
Compare Ps, Had And they were not only i
hungry for tho poor. bat they wanted case. /