Amos: Seek The Lord and LiveНамуна

Having spent four chapters trying to persuade the Israelites that their complacency is misplaced, Amos now spends the last three chapters on five visions of the coming judgment. The first four are in pairs: 

• 7:1–3 The swarm of locusts 
• 7:4–6 The judgment of fire 

Both are warnings of total devastation. But Amos pleads for mercy and the Lord relents. 

• 7:7–9 The plumb line 
• 8:1–3 A basket of ripe fruit 

These are less catastrophic and suggest a careful judgment being made. There is no pleading. The Lord waits ‘no longer’. 

• 9:1–4 The final judgment 
• There is no pair because this is the end. 

At this point in the book, around 760 BC, God’s patience with Israel runs out. We understand in normal life that patience is a wonderful virtue, but unlimited patience is not. A good parent is patient with a misbehaving child, yet eventually there will be some form of correction. Otherwise the parent is just lazy or indifferent. 

We also need to remember the purpose of God’s patience. As Romans 2:4 teaches us, ‘… do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?’

Reflection

Who are the unbelievers you love and make you grateful that the Lord has been patient thus far? Pray that they come to repentance. We do not know when His patience will end.