THE FRUIT BASKET IIII

Continuing to reflect on the vision of the Fruit Basket in Amos 8. The Lord speaks through Amos that a famine for the hearing of the Word of the Lord would come on Israel because they had gone into such exploitation of the poor, crooked business tactics and careless spiritual practices. There are perhaps two ways of viewing “a famine for the hearing of the Word of the Lord.” One, that we mentioned yesterday, is that the Word is available, but not particularly pursued or enjoyed. Two, is that the Lord will not continue to speak to stubborn and sinful people (This is a strongly commentated opinion.)

This idea is verified somewhat in Amos 8:12: “People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”

The last couple of verses of Amos 8 speaks of the various false gods, idols and deities the people were chasing after. He finally says of the false gods, “They will fall and not rise again” (8:13-14).

It appears from history that God’s judgment sometimes comes in the form of a spiritual famine. I think it is important to remember that the people in the time of Amos had religious customs, traditions, a priesthood, church buildings (temples, synagogues), the Torah, worship practices, tithing principles, prayer practices… all of this was in place for centuries. Because these things are available does not mean that people always pay much attention to them. It is not the religious machine that can move and motivate us to “hearing the Word of the Lord.” It is the Holy Spirit.
(continued)

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” Jesus