THE FRUIT BASKET I

Amos was one of the twelve minor prophets. “Amos was the older contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah and was active 760–755 BC during the rule of kings Jeroboam II of Israel and Uzziah of the Kingdom of Judah and is portrayed as being from the southern Kingdom of Judah yet preaching in the northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria).” (Wikipedia)

We know from the Book of Amos chapter 7, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15). He had five prophetic visions in chapters 7-9: locusts, fire, plum line, summer fruit, and altar showing God’s impending judgment on Israel. This is the Summer Fruit vision:

“This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit. He said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”
I said, “A basket of summer fruit.”
Then the Lord said to me, “The end has come to my people Israel. I will not ignore their sins anymore.” (8:1-2) It is a play of words…. Fruit basket was the end of harvest and word play is the ‘end has come for My people’ just like it has for the fruit. I will ‘no longer pass them by’ and overlook their sins, because they will not repent.

They were rejecting God’s covenant, which required them to live justly, treat the poor fairly, and love their neighbor as they loved themselves. Instead, they were exploiting others, behaving like the surrounding nations.
(continued)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Jesus