This is Daniel Whyte III president of Gospel Light Society International with The Scripture & the Sense Podcast #448, where I read the Word of God and give the sense of it based on an authoritative commentary source such as the Bible Knowledge Commentary or Matthew Henry Commentary. This podcast is based upon Nehemiah 8:8 where it says Ezra and the Levites “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” The aim of this podcast is that through the simple reading of the Word of God and the giving of the sense of it, the church would be revived and the world would be awakened.
Today we are reading Amos 5:1.
1 Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel.
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That was Amos 5:1. Now here is the sense of it.
The Matthew Henry Commentary reads:
The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire of Divine wrath breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but will find it cannot protect.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary reads:
Amos’ third and fourth messages are structured and juxtaposed to highlight one overall truth: the nation would be judged by its mighty sovereign God, but individuals could yet repent and live. Together these two messages present one overall truth: the mighty sovereign God would judge the nation as a whole for its legal injustice and religious hypocrisy, but He offered life to individuals within the nation who would yet repent and seek Him. Amos summoned the people to hear his lament over their death. A “lament” was ordinarily a poem of grief sung at the funeral of a relative, friend, or leader. Prophets, however, also used this poetic form to mourn the death of a city, people, or nation. Though Israel was at the height of prosperity under Jeroboam II, her judgment was so certain that Amos lamented her fall as though it had already happened. To his listeners, hearing this lament would be as jarring as reading one’s own obituary in the newspaper.
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Thank you for listening to the Scripture & The Sense Podcast. Remember to read the Word of God each and every day and pray without ceasing to God for wisdom to understand it and apply it to your life. Most importantly, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Please stay tuned for a complete presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you can get your soul saved from Hell to that wonderful place called Heaven when you die. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.
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