As we near the end of the book of Amos, we came to Amos 8 and the fourth vision of judgement. Amos is shown a basket of summer fruit, which first seems like a delicious and positive vision. Yet through a play on words, the vision reveals Israel’s certain end: they have become fully ripe for judgement, and their temple songs will turn into cries of wailing. Once again, God speaks against Israel’s evil deeds, remembering their injustice, oppression, dishonesty, corruption, and greed. On the day of judgement, the Sovereign Lord will turn their joy into darkness and mourning. The climax of judgement will be marked by a famine - not of food or water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. The years following Israel’s fall and destruction confirm this, as God’s silence continued until the coming of the true Word. Jesus Christ is the Word who was with God, who was God, and who became flesh to dwell among us. On the cross, Jesus suffered the bitter end in our place to save us. In view of His coming return, let us urgently seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us listen to His Word now and warn others before it is too late.
