The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1904-09-07
DAILY HOME READINGS.

M.-Amos V. Ais. Th-Psa. cvi. 1913
T-Amos " 1927. Fer l. II.
W-Mcah vi. IS S.-Isa. xiv. 1922
Su-Isa w.
The kingdom OF Israel was enjoying season Of
great prosperity. This in the reign of Jeroboam
III. Luxury abounded, the poor oppressed, and
God forgotten. Amos was an humble man. a
shepherd of Tekoah in Judah which was about twelve
miles south of Jerusalem. He was also "a dresser
of sycamores,' that is, pncher of the fruit on a
certain kind of fig tree. Though uneducaed in the
schools, he familiar with the earlier books of the
Bible The book.of Amos is the earliest book of pro-
phecy extant 1t has striking imagery drawn from
rural life, which differs from anything to be found
elsewhere in Scripture. 'In splendor of rhetoric it
is surpassed by Isaiah alone There is stern de-
nuncatior of the surrounding nations and then COM
ing home he devotes the of his prophecies
to Israel.
In lesson there is first the great truth and in
vation "Thus saith the Lord unto the house of
Israel, Seek we me, and We shall ve!' Only in
ing to me, in consulting me- Israel escape the
that have been denounced He against
Bethel Gilga and Beersheba, which had become the
center and shrines of dolatrous priests, and their
denominations. In that way lies terrible destruction
"Seek We the Lord" the prophet again cries "and We
shall live; with warning, 'Iest he break out like
fire in the house of Joseph which is another name
for the kingdom of Israel the Ephraimites. de-
scendants of JOSS )h, the leading tribe. "None
TO quench in Bethel" 1t will not be.in the power
of the idols worshipped in Bethel quench that fire
Gods power and authority are exemplifed He
'naleth the seven stars and Orion" the Peiades and
the Hunter brilliant considerations He "turneth the
shadow of death into the morning. changes night to
day. and then ''maleth the day dark with night" An
other splendid illustration is taken from what we call
Tho of
and poureth them out upon the face of the earth"
So Amos knew the formation of the clouds and the
coming of the rain. "The Lord is his name" The
appeal is God who is the Creator of heaven
and earth and the wise and powerful ruler over all.
He Strengthened the spoiled against the strong
giving power to the prosecuted and oppressed. SO
that the fortress in which the oppressor takes refuge
shall not Withstand the assault. The oppressor is
described "They hate him that rebu<eth in the gate"
The Judge after Eastern custom. holds his court in
the gate The wicked doings Of the rich oppressor
are described: Threading the poor" taking from
him burdens of wheat" exorbtant tolls and taxes.
They brild houses of hewn stone but shall not dwell
in them. They plant pleasant vineyards. but shall
drink wine of them God knows all their manifold
ransgressions affecting the just taking brides turn
ing from their rights the poor in the gate.
While all this wrong and wckedness is going on
those are prudent who keep silence evil is so
pant that # will RIO no GOOD then to made protest.
They must bide a better time.
The lesson closes with earnest apoeal "Seel
rood and not evil. that We may live The Lord the
God of hosts. shall be with vouP'
at be that the Lord God of hosts will be
gracious unto the remnant Of Joseph"
The servant Of God is ALWAYS witness against all
sin and unriohteousness. He must declare the who'll
counsel Of God and give faithful warning
tt, l. l.
to return and find forgiveness and blessing
Gods servants arc chosen without distinction of
ncrsous Amos was oiair and humble man teeoino
his shaen and tendinn hi ft,1ii lrees Vel he NO