Standard Jet DBnb` Ugr@?~1y0̝cßFN`7ߜH(-`{6{߱oCA43y[.|*|ĻOf_Љ$g'DeFx -bT4.0[\n Y S  Y   Y Y  Y Y  Y  Y  Y   Y u Y o Y n Y z Y 2lY  Y  z Y  pY ConnectDatabaseDateCreateDateUpdate FlagsForeignNameIdLvLvExtraLvModule LvPropName OwnerParentIdRmtInfoLongRmtInfoShortTypeniWYYIdParentIdName        OY S Y Y Y  Y 2ACMFInheritableObjectIdSID  AtYObjectId Y SY  Y Y Y  Y  Y _Y  Y AttributeExpressionFlagLvExtra Name1 Name2ObjectId OrderP@W xYY"ObjectIdAttribute -YSY Y Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y ccolumn grbiticolumnszColumnszObject$szReferencedColumn$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipW@ W*W*W KP YYYszObject$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipYv1b N  : k & W  C t/ @@X  @@OJmJLJkQkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmJL^Qk`kvkJMQk`kvkdL[QMmk`kvkhoQiYQk`kvkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmdfYMbdmQk`kvkOL  @~  @ @           d k f  @Pq@@Pq@Topic Notes@DDD88888886 @@Pq@@Pq@MSysRelationshipsDDDDDDDDDDB @Pq@@Pq@MSysQueries88888888886 @Pq@@Pq@MSysACEs22222222220 @Pq@@Pq@MSysObjects88888888886 @Pq@@Pq@MSysDb.........., @Pq@@Pq@Relationships<<<<<<<<<<: @Pq@@Pq@Databases44444444442 @Pq@@Pq@Tables.........., x{hUB/                   jY (NY Y d YTID TitleCommentsI,YYIDPrimaryKey@v)Z? XLVALnMR28AllowZeroLengthRequired( Title  .Comments MR28AllowZeroLengthRequired( Title  .Comments  6  @ @ @          6  @ @ @           lEW.  k D  o J % MAL 4 Q2MAL 31MAL 2؉0MAL 1r?/ZECH 6-9hX/"ZECH 4-5867."ZECH 2-3F-"ZECH 10-14*6H,&ZECH 1h~+HAGGAI`*ZEPHANIAH.Qn)$HAB 30_:(HAB 2N6&' HAB 1X9' NAHUM 2&  NAHUM 1LK%  MICAH%99% JONAH 2Z1k$ JONAH 1'# OBAD 2׵"OBAD 1v.D!AMOS 2G~g AMOS 1xf JOELJJHOSEAp9xINTRO$LVAL{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f3\fnil\fprq2\fcharset161 Gentium Greek;}{\f4\fnil\fcharset0 MS Sans Serif;}} {\colortbl ;\red128\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red153\green51\blue102;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\lang1033\b\f0\fs40 MINOR PROPHETS\par \pard\b0\fs28 There were twelve minor prophets and each was very different from the others.\par 9:00 am\par 11:30 am\par 4:30 pm\par \cf1\b MAJOR THEMES OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROPHETS\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1\b 1. HOSEA: LOVE OF GOD\par \cf0\b0 (salvation, deliverance)\par The prophet married a woman who became unfaithful yet Hosea still loved her. He shows God's unconditional love for Israel.\par He could have legally put her away three different ways (1) divorce (2) stoning her and the adultress (3) Trial of jealousy as in Numbers 5. Instead he tried to keep her as a wife as God kept Israel when they turned to idolatry.\par \par \cf1\b 2. JOEL: RESTORATION\par \cf0\b0 (Jehovah is God)\par The worst locust plague in over 200 years destroyed the land. When Israel sought God He totally restored everything that had been lost. After the restoration the Spirit was poured out which looked forward to the day God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.\par \par \cf1\b 3. AMOS: IMMORALITY OF CITY LIFE\par \cf0\b0 (Burdenbearer)\par A country prophet of Judea who was burdened about the city life in Israel and Judah along with all the surrounding nations \cf2\ul\f1 Amo_2:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_3:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_4:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_5:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_6:4\cf0\ulnone\f0 . He advocated rural life over the oppressions of the city. He had a universal message against the Dead-God team. He was a farmer and shepherd who was not educated to be a prophet (\cf2\ul Amo_7:14\cf3\ulnone -15\cf0 ).\par \f1\fs24\par \f0\fsLVAL28 CITY LIFE (\cf2\ul Amo_1:2\cf0\ulnone )\par 1. City life breaks down relationships.\par 2. City life destroys responsibility.\par 3. In the city you can hide easier in your sins.\par 4. In the city religion is more for show (See Fall of Rome \cf2\ul Eze_16:49\cf0\ulnone )\par 5. The authority structure is weaker in the city\par 6. Church hopping is easier in the city\par 7. There are more temptations to overcome in the city.\par \b\par \cf1 4. OBADIAH: DOWNFALL OF EDOM\par \cf0\b0 (servant of Jehovah)\par A prophecy to describe the total destruction of Edom. This was the only part of Abraham's family that became extinct. Although they were under the covenant promise they were destroyed because of their hatred of Israel.\par \par \cf1\b 5. JONAH: GOD'S CONCERN FOR GENTILES\par \cf0\b0 (dove)\par The story of a reluctant prophet who at first refused to obey God and go to Ninevah to preach. God prepared a storm and a fish to turn him around and he finally and went to Ninevah and his preaching caused the greatest revival in history.\par \par \cf1\b 6. MICAH: PRE-EXILE DESCRIPTION OF MESSIAH\par \cf0\b0 (who is like God)\par The pre-exile prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. He lived during the days of Isaiah. Two prophets were especially interested in the coming of the Messiah, Micah and Zechariah. Micah prophesied before the exile and Zechariah prophesied after.\par \par \cf1\b 7. NAHUM: DESTRUCTION OF NINEVEH\par \cf0\b0 (consolation)\par This prophecy was totally about the destruction of Nineveh. When Jonah preached they had a great revival but later became worse than ever so Nahum described the judgment of God upon them.\par \par \cf1\b 8. HABAKKUK: JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH\par \cf0\b0 (embrace)\par This prophet was opposite to the usual prophecy. Usually the prophet tells of the sins of the people and how God judged them. This prophet brought questions to God to ask why He works like He does. His answer was, "The just lives by faith." \par \par \cf1\b 9. ZEPHANIAH: DLVALAY OF THE LORD\par \cf0\b0 (Jehovah has concealed)\par The day of the Lord has two parts. First is the judgment of God upon the earth (\cf2\ul Zep_1:1-3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_13:9-11; Isa_2:11\cf0\ulnone ) and in the NT it refers to the Great Tribulation of the last days. The second part is the reign of Christ upon the earth. (\cf2\ul Zep_3:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Zep_3:14-20\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \cf1\b 10. HAGGAI: PROPHET OF RIGHT PRIORITIES\par \cf0\b0 (Feast of Jehovah)\par This was the first of the post-exile prophets after the Babylonian Captivity. It concerned the need to rebuild the temple after the destruction of Solomon's temple. \par When Israel lost her vision Haggai prophesied.\par When Israel lost her hope Zechariah prophesied\par When Israel lost her will Malachi prophesied.\par These were the last prophets Israel would have until the coming of John the Baptist.\par \par \cf1\b 11. ZECHARIAH: POST-EXILE DESCRIPTION OF MESSIAH\par \cf0\b0 (Jehovah remembers)\par This prophecy coincided with Haggai's prophecy about the need to rebuild the temple. He is the prophet who spoke more about the Messiah than any other besides Isaiah. Micah was the prophet of the Messiah before the exile and Zechariah was the prophet of the Messiah after the exile.\par \par \cf1\b 12. MALACHI: PEOPLE QUESTIONING GOD\par \cf0\b0 (messenger of Jehovah)\par He is the last of the Minor Prophets and his prophecy is concerned primarily with the controversy between Israel and God. They asked God eight scornful questions and God answered them.\par \pard\ri180 (1) Wherein have you loved us? (\cf2\ul Mal_1:2\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-360\li360\ri180 (2) Wherein have we despised your name and polluted you? (\cf2\ul Mal_1:6-7\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\ri180 (3) Wherein have we profaned the covenant? (\cf2\ul Mal_1:6-7\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li720\ri180 (4) Why don\rquote t you hear us? (\cf2\ul Mal_2:13-14\cf0\ulnone )\par (5) Wherein have we wearied you? (\cf2\ul Mal_2:17\cf0\ulnone )\par (6) WLVALherein shall we return? (\cf2\ul Mal_3:7\cf0\ulnone )\par (7) Wherein have we robbed you? (\cf2\ul Mal_3:8\cf0\ulnone )\par (8) What have we spoken against you? (\cf2\ul Mal_3:13\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf1\b MAJOR SUBJECTS OF THE MINOR PROPHETS\par \cf0\b0 The prophets had at least nine major subjects that the prophesied about:\par \par \cf1\b I. COMING OF A MESSIAH\par \cf0\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360 God declared that there would be two comings of the Messiah although the people never did see but one (\cf2\ul Gen_3:15; 1Pe_1:8-12\cf0\ulnone ).\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Jesus was called out of Egypt (\cf2\ul Hos_11:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_2:13-15\cf0\ulnone )\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}There is no savior beside Him (\cf2\ul Hos_13:4; Luk_2:11; Joh_4:42; Act_5:31; Act_13:23\cf0\ulnone )\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}Bride of Christ presented as a chaste virgin \cf2\ul Hos_2:16\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:19-20; 2Co_11:2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}Israel will recognize Jesus next time He comes \cf2\ul Hos_8:2; Joh_20:28\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}He will be the Breaker \cf2\ul Mic_2:13\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 7.\tab}He was born in Bethlehem, crucified and will some day reign upon the earth \cf2\ul Mic_5:1-5\cf0\ulnone ;\par {\pntext\f0 8.\tab}He will dwell in the midst of His people and rule with justice \cf2\ul Zep_3:5\cf0\ulnone ;\par {\pntext\f0 9.\tab}He is called the desire of all nations (\cf2\ul Gen_49:10\cf0\ulnone ) \cf2\ul Hag_2:7\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 10.\tab}He is called Jehovah who was sent by Jehovah \cf2\ul Zec_2:8-11\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 11.\tab}He is called the Branch and will build a new temple \cf2\ul Zec_3:8\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Zec_6:12-13\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 12.\tab}He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey \cf2\ul Zec_9:9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 13.\tab}He was sold for 30 pieces of silver and the money was used to buy a potter's field \cf2\ul Zec_11:12-13\cf0\LVALulnone\par {\pntext\f0 14.\tab}Israel will one day recognize that it was their Messiah that they crucified \cf2\ul Zec_12:10-14\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 15.\tab}He is the shepherd that was smitten and they will someday ask where He got the wounds in His hands \cf2\ul Zec_13:6-7\par \cf0\ulnone{\pntext\f0 16.\tab}His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives \cf2\ul Zec_14:4\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 17.\tab}He will come suddenly to His temple. \cf2\ul Mal_3:1\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\cf1\b\par II. THE MESSIAH WILL REIGN ON EARTH\par \cf0\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360 When Jesus comes Israel will call God their husband. He will restore His relationship with them as it was in their youth. He will give them great prosperity \cf2\ul Hos_2:14-23\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}He will be the King \cf2\ul Hos_13:10\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}He will reign in Zion and Jerusalem will be a holy city \cf2\ul Joe_3:17-21\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}He will restore the House of David and bring prosperity \cf2\ul Amo_9:11-15\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}The kingdom will be the Lord's \cf2\ul Oba_1:19-21\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}His government will be above all governments in the world. All nations will come to Zion to worship Him. He will make war to cease and every man will sit under his own fig tree \cf2\ul Mic_4:1-4\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 7.\tab}He is called the ruler of Israel (\cf2\ul Mic_5:2; Mat_25:31; Mat_19:28; Luk_22:30; \cf0\ulnone )\par {\pntext\f0 8.\tab}He will make Israel a strong nation again and reign in Jerusalem \cf2\ul Mic_4:7-8\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 9.\tab}The knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea \cf2\ul Hab_2:14\cf0\ulnone \cf3\fs29 He will be King over all the earth. He will sit upon the throne of His holiness (Psa_47:2-3, Psa_47:7-9). Of the Son He saith, Thy throne O God is forever and ever (Psa_45:6-7 see Heb_1:8). The King willLVAL set upon His Holy Hill (Psa_2:6). He will inherit all nations (Psa_82:8). The heathen will fear His name, and all kings of the earth His glory when the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory (Psa_102:15-16). Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him; and His enemies will lick the dust. Kings will bring presents and give gifts. All kings will fall before Him, all nations will serve Him (Psa_72:9-12) and call Him blessed (Psa_72:17). All kings of the earth will praise Him when they hear His words (Psa_138:4). His ways will be known upon the earth, His saving health among all nations. The nations will be glad and sing for joy. For He shall judge the people righteously (also Psa_72:2), and govern the nations upon earth (Psa_67:2-4). For He comes to judge the earth, with righteousness shall He judge the world and the people with equity (Psa_98:9). His dominion will be from sea to sea (Psa_72:8). His kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion endures to all generations (Psa_145:13). When the people of earth praise Him the earth will yield her fruit and God will bless them (Psa_67:5-6). \cf0\fs28\par {\pntext\f0 10.\tab}He will bring judgment upon the earth and then gather all nations to Himself. He will return the world to one language again. All people will worship Him with one consent \cf2\ul Zep_3:8-20\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 11.\tab}The glory of the latter (Messiah's) house will be greater than the former (Solomon's) house\cf0 \cf2\ul Hag_2:9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 12.\tab}He will dwell in Jerusalem again and many nations will be joined to Him \cf2\ul Zec_2:11-12\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 13.\tab}His temple will be built, not by might of kings nor power (authority) of the priesthood, but by the Spirit of God \cf2\ul Zec_4:6\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 14.\tab}He will have Gentiles involved in the building of His temple \cf2\ul Zec_6:15\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 15.\tab}He will reign in Jerusalem and it will be called a city of truth \cf2\ul Zec_8:LVAL3-9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 16.\tab}He will turn their fast days to feast days \cf2\ul Zec_8:19\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 17.\tab}Many people will seek Him in that day \cf2\ul Zec_8:22-23\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 18.\tab}He open up a fountain in the House of David \cf2\ul Zec_13:1\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 19.\tab}He will change to topography of the land \cf2\ul Zec_14:9-11\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 20.\tab}Everybody will come to worship Him every year at the feast of Tabernacles. Everything in Jerusalem will be holy \cf2\ul Zec_14:16-21\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 21.\tab}Who can abide the day of His coming \cf2\ul Mal_3:1-5\cf0\ulnone ?\par {\pntext\f0 22.\tab}He will arise with Healing in His wings \cf2\ul Mal_4:2\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\par \cf1\b III. RESTORATION OF THE REMNANT \par \cf0\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360 Israel will again be as the sand of the sea in multitude \cf2\ul Hos_1:10\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Israel will be many centuries without a king then they will return to their Messiah \cf2\ul Hos_3:4-5\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}They will someday acknowledge their offense and return to their God \cf2\ul Hos_5:15\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}After two (millennial) days they will be revived \cf2\ul Hos_6:1-2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}God's repentings have turned in Him for Israel \cf2\ul Hos_11:8\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}When they return their past will be wiped out \cf2\ul Hos_14:1-2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 7.\tab}When Israel returns it will be again as it was in the Garden of Eden \cf2\ul Hos_14:5-7\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 8.\tab}He will restore all that has been destroyed in Israel and they will never be ashamed (disappointed) again Joel \cf2\ul Joe_2:19-27\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 9.\tab}He will bring again (second time Isaiah \cf2\ul Isa_11:11\cf0\ulnone ) the captivity of Israel \cf2\ul Joe_3:1\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 10.\tab}He will reLVALstore them to Jerusalem and make them prosperous \cf2\ul Joe_3:17-18\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 11.\tab}They will be totally forgiven and will dwell forever \cf2\ul Joe_3:20-21\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 12.\tab}Very few will be left \cf2\ul Amo_3:12\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 13.\tab}He will be gracious to the remnant \cf2\ul Amo_5:15\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 14.\tab}He will gather them like a flock (Mat 24) \cf2\ul Mic_2:12\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 15.\tab}He will make Israel into a powerful nation again \cf2\ul Mic_4:12-13\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 16.\tab}They will rule over the Gentiles \cf2\ul Mic_5:8\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 17.\tab}Although they have fallen they will rise again \cf2\ul Mic_7:8\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 18.\tab}Revive thy work in the midst of the years \cf2\ul Hab_3:2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 19.\tab}He will yet comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem \cf2\ul Zec_1:17\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 20.\tab}They will be a prosperous people \cf2\ul Zec_8:12\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 21.\tab}He will restore them as though they had never been cast away \cf2\ul Zec_10:6-10\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 22.\tab}When they return to Him then He will return to them \cf2\ul Mal_3:7\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 23.\tab}All nations will call them blessed \cf2\ul Mal_3:12\par \cf0\ulnone{\pntext\f0 24.\tab}They are called His Jewels \cf2\ul Mal_3:17\par \pard\cf0\ulnone\par \cf1\b IV. DAY OF THE LORD OR GREAT TRIBULATION \par \cf2\ul\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360\cf0\ulnone The Day of the Lord is a solemn day \cf2\ul Hos_9:5\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Joel used the Locust plague as a type of the Day of the Lord \cf2\ul Joe_1:1-4\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}It is a time when God destroys the sinners out of the world \cf2\ul Joe_1:15\cf0\ulnone (\cf2\ul Isa_13:9\cf0\ulnone )\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}It is a time of total destruction of the earth \cf2\ul Joe_2:1-11\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\fLVAL0 5.\tab}There will be wonders in the heavens \cf2\ul Joe_2:30-31\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}He will gather all nations to battle \cf2\ul Joe_3:2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 7.\tab}It will be His time of decision \cf2\ul Joe_3:9-16\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 8.\tab}He will come like a lion roaring \cf2\ul Amo_1:2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 9.\tab}Woe to those who desire the Day of the Lord \cf2\ul Amo_5:15-20\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 10.\tab}He will turn the world into darkness \cf2\ul Amo_8:9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 11.\tab}Men will reap what they have sown \cf2\ul Oba_1:15\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 12.\tab}The earth will melt under His judgment \cf2\ul Mic_1:4\cf3\ulnone\par \cf0{\pntext\f0 13.\tab}He will utterly consume all things from off the land Zephaniah \cf2\ul Zep_1:1-2\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 14.\tab}It will be a day of trouble and distress \cf2\ul Zep_1:14-16\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 15.\tab}He will shake the heavens and the earth \cf2\ul Hag_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 16.\tab}Jerusalem will be a trouble for all the earth \cf2\ul Zec_12:2-9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 17.\tab}A third of Israel will survive the fire \cf2\ul Zec_13:9\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 18.\tab}All nations will be gathered against Jerusalem. He will place his feet on the Mount of Olives and it will split in two \cf2\ul Zec_14:2-8\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 19.\tab}At Jesus' presence the bodies will be consumed \cf2\ul Zec_14:12\cf0\ulnone -15\par {\pntext\f0 20.\tab}It will be a dreadful day where He tramples under foot the wicked nations \cf2\ul Mal_4:3-6\par \pard\cf0\ulnone\par \cf1\b V. RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD \par \cf2\ul\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360\cf0\ulnone He will ransom His people from the power of the grave. He will destroy the destroyer \cf2\ul Hos_13:14.\cf0\ulnone \cf3\fs29 Death the plague of man, and Christ the plague of death \cf4\b\fs28 death and hell should reveal their impotence,LVAL Jesus brought redemption from death and hell. They are conquered and powerless, so much so that they must even yield up the prey which they already have,\cf0\b0\f1\fs24 \cf2\ul\f0\fs28 1Co_15:54-55\cf3\ulnone\f1\fs24 \f0\fs29 "Though death should swallow up all men, though the grave should consume them, yet God is superior to both death and the grave, for He can slay death, for He can abolish the grave."\cf0\fs28 \cf1\b\fs29 What upsets the commentators is the totally unexpected appearance of a blessed promise like this in the midst of the most severe denunciations to be found in the whole Bible. \cf4\fs28 Hosea's wife was unfaithful to him and he denounced her as though he would cast her away. Then he turned around and bought her so now she would live with him forever. The same idea was here. In the midst of Hosea's judgment came redemption, so in the midst of Jahweh's judgment comes redemption.\cf0\b0\par \cf3{\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Job also in \cf2\ul\b Job_14:12-15\cf3\ulnone\b0 and \cf2\ul\b Job_19:23-27\cf3\ulnone\b0 looked for a resurrection. So David (\cf2\ul\b Psa_16:9-11\cf3\ulnone\b0 ; \cf2\ul\b Psa_17:14-15; 1Jn_3:2\cf3\ulnone\b0 ) anticipates his "soul not being left in Hades," so that "his flesh shall rest in hope," and his "awaking with Jehovah's likeness"; (\cf2\ul\b Act_2:25-31\cf3\ulnone\b0 ), and hereafter to be so in His members. So Isaiah (\cf2\ul\b Isa_26:19\cf3\ulnone\b0 ), "thy dead shall live ... my dead body shall they arise"; (\cf2\ul Eph_1:22-23\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Col_1:18\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_8:11; 1Th_4:13-18\cf3\ulnone ). Daniel (\cf2\ul\b Dan_12:2\cf3\ulnone\b0 ). Jesus taught a resurrection by God's word to Moses at the burning bush (\cf2\ul Mat_22:31-32\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_3:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_3:16\cf3\ulnone ).\cf0 \cf2\ul Eze_37:11-14\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}As Jonah was in the fish three days and nights so Jesus was in the grave three days and nights \cf2\ul Jon_1:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jon_2:10; Mat_12:39-40\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\LVAL!par \cf1\b VI. GOD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GENTILES \par \pard\fi216\sa60\cf0\b0\par \pard\b\f2 Gentiles\b0\par \pard\fi360\sa60 Under Old Testament regulations they were simply non-Israelites, not from the stock of Abraham, but they were not hated or despised for that reason, and were to be treated almost on a plane of equality\par The Gentile stranger enjoyed the hospitality of the Israelite who was commanded to love him (\cf2\ul Deu_10:19\cf0\ulnone ), to sympathize with him, \ldblquote For ye know the heart of the stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Exo_23:9\cf0\ulnone the King James Version). \par Uriah the Hittite was a trusted warrior of David (2 Sam 11); Ittai the Gittite was captain of David's guard (\cf2\ul 2Sa_18:2\cf0\ulnone ); Araunah the Jebusite was a respected resident of Jerusalem. \par David was from Ruth who was a Gentile Moabitess so he showed more kindness to Gentiles than any other king.\par \pard\sa60 The Gentiles had the right of asylum in the cities of refuge, the same as the Israelites (\cf2\ul Num_35:15\cf0\ulnone ). \par They might even possess Israelite slaves (\cf2\ul Lev_25:47\cf0\ulnone ), and a Gentile servant must not be defrauded of his wage (\cf2\ul Deu_24:15\cf0\ulnone ). \par They could inherit in Israel even as late as the exile (\cf2\ul Eze_47:22\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Eze_47:23\cf0\ulnone ). \par They were allowed to offer sacrifices in the temple at Jerusalem, as is distinctly affirmed by Josephus (\i BJ\i0 , II, xvii, 2-4; \i Ant\i0 , XI, viii, 5; XIII, viii, 2; XVI, ii, 1; XVIII, v, 3; \i CAp\i0 , II, 5), and it is implied in the Levitical law (\cf2\ul Lev_22:25\cf0\ulnone ). \par Prayers and sacrifices were to be offered for Gentile rulers (\cf2\ul Jer_29:7\cf0\ulnone ; Baruch 1:10, 11; \cf2\ul Ezr_6:10\cf0\ulnone ; 1 Macc 7:33; Josephus, \i BJ\i0 , II, x, 4). Gifts might be received from them (2 Macc 5:16; Josephus, \i Ant\i0 , XIII, iii, 4; XVI, vi, 4; \i BJ\i0 , V, xiii, 6; \i CAp\i0 , II, 5). \par \paLVAL"r But as we approach the Christian era the attitude of the Jews toward the Gentiles changes, until we find, in New Testament times, the most extreme aversion, scorn and hatred. They were regarded as unclean, with whom it was unlawful to have any friendly intercourse. \par They were the enemies of God and His people, to whom the knowledge of God was denied unless they became proselytes, and even then they could not, as in ancient times, be admitted to full fellowship. Jews were forbidden to counsel them, and if they asked about Divine things they were to be cursed. All children born of mixed marriages were illegitimate. \par If we inquire what the reason of this change was we shall find it in the conditions of the exiled Jews, who suffered the bitterest treatment at the hands of their Gentile captors and who, after their return and establishment in Judea, were in constant conflict with neighboring tribes and especially with the Greek rulers of Syria. \par The fierce persecution of Antiochus IV, who attempted to blot out their religion and Hellenize the Jews, and the desperate struggle for independence, created in them a burning patriotism and zeal for their faith which culminated in the rigid exclusiveness we see in later times.\par \pard\fi216\sa60\f0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360 Those who were not a people are now the people of God (\cf2\ul Hos_1:10-11\cf0\ulnone\b ;\b0 \cf2\ul Rom_9:25\cf0\ulnone -\cf2\ul 26\cf0\ulnone )\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}Jesus' Name will be praised among the Gentiles \cf2\ul Mal_1:11\cf0\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}Gentiles will be called by His name \cf2\ul Amo_9:12; Act_15:15-17\par \cf0\ulnone{\pntext\f0 4.\tab}Gentiles will help build His temple\cf2\ul Zec_6:15\par \pard\cf0\ulnone\par \cf1\b\fs29 VII. THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT \par \cf0\fs28\par Holy Spirit\b0\par \pard\fi360\sa60\kerning28 The prophets recognized that the \cf4\b Holy Spirit is God in action\cf0\b0 , particuLVAL#larly when the action was specific, with a view to accomplishing some particular end or purpose of God. The Spirit came upon individuals for special purposes. \par \pard\kerning0\f2 It was the \cf4\b Spirit that transformed material into life\cf0\b0 in the beginning \cf2\ul Gen_1:2\par \pard\fi360\sa60\cf0\kerning28\ulnone\f0\par In \cf2\ul Gen_2:7\cf0\ulnone \cf4\b Spirit gave man life \cf2\ul\b0 Num_16:22\cf0\ulnone God is \ldblquote the God of the spirits of all flesh.\rdblquote In \cf2\ul Exo_28:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_31:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_35:31\cf0\ulnone , wisdom for all kinds of workmanship is declared to be the gift of God. \par \pard\cf4\kerning0\b\f2 Man vexed His\cf0\b0 \cf4\b Spirit\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Isa_63:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Gen_6:3\cf0\ulnone \par \pard\fi360\sa60\cf4\kerning28\b\f0 The Spirit continued to operate in the lives of men but there was no \kerning0 birth of the Spirit or infilling as on the Day of Pentecost.\kerning28\par \cf0\kerning0\b0 The children of Israel cried unto Yahweh and He raised up a savior for them, Othniel, the son of Kenaz: \ldblquote And the Spirit of Yahweh came upon him, and he judged Israel\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Jdg_3:10\cf0\ulnone ). So also Gideon (\cf2\ul Jdg_6:34\cf0\ulnone ): \ldblquote The Spirit of Yahweh came upon (literally, clothed itself with) Gideon.\rdblquote In \cf2\ul Jdg_11:29\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote the spirit of Yahweh came upon Jephthah\rdblquote ; and in \cf2\ul Jdg_13:25\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote the Spirit of Yahweh began to move\rdblquote Samson. In \cf2\ul Jdg_14:6\cf0\ulnone \ldblquote the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him.\rdblquote In \cf2\ul 1Sa_16:14\cf0\ulnone we read \ldblquote the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.\rdblquote In all this class of passages, the Spirit imparts special endowments of power. \par The Spirit was given to the people for instruction and strengthening during the wilderness wanderings (\cf2\ul Neh_9:20\cf0\ulnone ).\pLVAL$ar \cf4\b It was temporary\par \cf0\b0\par \cf4\b The prophets visualized a permanent outpouring of the Spirit\par They knew that if the Spirit could transform a world it could transform a life.\par \cf0\b0 \par In \cf2\ul Hag_2:5\cf0\ulnone reference is made to the Mosaic period as the age of the Spirit, \ldblquote when ye came out of Egypt, and my Spirit abode among you.\rdblquote \par In \cf2\ul Isa_44:3\cf0\ulnone the Spirit is to be poured out on Jacob and his seed;\par \pard\sb120\sa240 \cf2\ul Isa_59:20-21\cf0\ulnone a Redeemer is to come to Zion under the covenant of Yahweh, and the Spirit is to abide upon the people. \par \pard\cf3\fs29 1. God \cf1\b promised\cf3\b0 to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh \cf2\ul Joe_2:28-29 \par \cf4\ulnone\b From that point onward it was looked for as the\fs28 promise of God \par \cf2\ul\fs24 Eze_36:26-27\cf0\ulnone \cf5\par \cf2\ul Pro_1:23\cf5\ulnone \par \cf2\ul Isa_28:11-12\cf5\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Eze_37:14\cf5\ulnone \par \cf2\ul Eze_39:29\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf6\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Mat_3:11 \cf0\ulnone\b0\fs28 John \par \pard\cf2\ul\b Luk_11:13\cf0\ulnone\b0\fs24\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf2\ul\b\f1\fs28 Joh_14:16\cf0\ulnone\f0\par \pard\ri90\cf2\ul Act_1:3-5\cf0\ulnone\fs24 \b0\fs28 The disciples were to go to Jerusalem to receive the promise \par \cf4\b Wait for the promise\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Act_1:4\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf4\b I send the promise\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Luk_24:49\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf4\b Received of the Father the promise\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Act_2:33\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf4\b We might receive the promise\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Gal_3:14\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf4\b Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul Eph_1:13\cf0\ulnone )\b\par \pard\cf2\ul Luk_24:49\fs24 \cf0\ulnone\b0\fs28 Jesus \cf2\ul\b Joh_20:22\cf0\ulnone\b0\par \pard\fi360\b\f1 I send the promise of My Father\b0 .\emdash Here the Lord speaks of the Holy Ghost, comp. \cf2\ul Act_1:4-8\cf0\ulnone , whom He had \cf4\b often before His death repeatedlyLVAL% promised,\cf0\b0 \par \lang1032\f3\'ca\'e1\'e8\'df\'f3\'e1\'f4\'e5\lang1033\f1 .\emdash The command which Luke gives to remain in the Capital they must there wait till the promise of the Spirit was fulfilled, and they were not to wait in vain, but to be clothed with \lang1032\f3\'e4\'fd\'ed\'e1\'ec\'e9\'f2 \u7952?\'ee \u8021?\'f8\'ef\'f5\'f2\lang1033\f1 , in consequence of the fulfilment of the promise of the Father. \par \pard It is noticeable how Luke, at the end, as also at the beginning of his gospel, \cf2\ul Luk_1:35\cf0\ulnone , \cf4\b unites most intimately the conceptions of Spirit and power,\cf0\b0 \par \cf3\f0\par \pard\fi360\cf0\f1\ldblquote\i I \i0 [\i Jesus\i0 ] am sending\rdblquote \cf2\ul Luk_24:49\cf0\ulnone ). There (\cf2\ul Act_1:2-5\cf0\ulnone ) it is explained in terms of the Spirit, with reference to \cf4\b the contrast between the baptism John was able to offer and baptism with the Spirit of God \cf0\b0 (cf. \cf2\ul Luk_3:16\cf0\ulnone ). The logic of the wait in Jerusalem (which takes us past the ascension) is clarified in \cf2\ul\b Act_2:33\cf0\ulnone\b0 Jesus sends the Spirit after His exaltation to the right hand of God. The language of promise is applied to the Spirit also in \cf2\ul\b Gal_3:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eph_1:13\cf0\ulnone\b0 . In mind are texts like \cf2\ul Isa_32:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_44:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eze_39:29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joe_2:28\cf0\ulnone (quoted in \cf2\ul Act_2:17\cf0\ulnone ). In the context of \cf2\ul Luk_24:44-49\cf0\ulnone , the Spirit is anticipated distinctly as empowerment for the task that lies ahead. This prospect of empowerment has its counterpart in the power of the Spirit that undergirded Jesus\rquote own ministry (cf. \cf2\ul Luk_4:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_5:17\cf0\ulnone ). The Pentecostal empowering of the disciple band has been prefigured in the \ldblquote power\rdblquote given in \cf2\ul Luk_9:1\cf0\ulnone (as the preaching to come has in \cf2\ul Luk_9:2\cf0\ulnone ): in an anticipatory manner, the LVAL&disciples have already participated in the ministry of Jesus (\cf2\ul Luk_9:1-6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_10:1-20\cf0\ulnone ); they will in the future carry his ministry forward when he sits exalted at the right hand of God. The directive given here already implies Jesus\rquote imminent departure, to be reported in \cf2\ul Luk_24:50-53\cf0\ulnone . Though this is clearer in Acts 1, in light of the translation to heaven to follow, we should probably see a link here with the transmission of the Spirit from Elijah to Elisha in \cf2\ul 2Ki_2:9-10\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\cf3\f0\par \pard\fi360\cf0\f1 Supportive of the witnessing task is the promise of the Holy Spirit in \cf2\ul Luk_24:49\cf0\ulnone . Various OT texts anticipated an end-time outpouring of the Spirit of God; Jesus goes to exaltation in heaven to send this promised outpouring of the Spirit (see \cf2\ul Act_2:33\cf0\ulnone ). As in \cf2\ul Joh_16:7\cf0\ulnone , Jesus must go to his exalted destiny before the Spirit can be given.\par However, though the giving of the Spirit needs to wait for Jesus\rquote exaltation, the promise of power here has not lacked anticipations in the time of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus has himself been empowered by the Spirit for his ministry (\cf2\ul Luk_4:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_5:17\cf0\ulnone ); and Jesus has in turn given power to his disciple band, who have been sent out to speak and act in his name (see \cf2\ul Luk_9:1-6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_10:1-20\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\ri90\cf2\ul\b\f0 Act_2:1-4\cf3\ulnone\par \pard\b0\fs29\par 2. Micah was full of the Spirit \cf2\ul Mic_3:8\cf3\ulnone\par 3. Temple built by the Spirit \cf2\ul Zec_4:6; 1Co_6:19-20; 1Pe_2:5; Eph_2:19-22\cf3\ulnone\par \cf1\b\par VIII. DIVINE JUDGMENT \par \cf2\ul\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360\cf3\ulnone God's judgment on Israel caused them to cease being a kingdom until the King of kings would come \cf2\ul Hos_3:4\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tabLVAL'}Judgment brought because of ignorance of God. \cf2\ul Hos_4:6 \cf0\ulnone\f1\fs24 Observe here how the knowledge of God is exhibited as the essence of religion, and the lack of this knowledge as the great error in connection with religion. Apostasy from God therefore consists or is rooted in the loss of the knowledge of Him, which includes not merely a theoretical cognition, but also belief in Him, as the self-revealed God, and the acquaintance and intimacy with Him thence drawn by experience. It is thus that Hosea elsewhere also insists upon the \ldblquote knowledge of Jehovah\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Hos_5:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_6:3\cf0\ulnone ). \f0\fs28 the minute you get away from the Word of God, you are doomed to failure \cf2\ul Joh_8:32; Php_3:8-10\cf3\ulnone\fs29\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind \cf2\ul Hos_8:7\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 4.\tab}He will visit the transgressions of Israel \cf2\ul Amo_3:14\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 5.\tab}God brought His plumbline against Israel \cf2\ul Amo_7:8\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 6.\tab}They will not be ahle to hide from His judgment \cf2\ul Amo_9:2-4\cf3\ulnone\par \pard\cf0\fs28 TO KNOW GOD (\cf2\ul Jer_9:23-24\cf0\ulnone )\par 1. Have a clear perception or understanding of Who He is.\par 2. Be aware of His ways. Be aware of the perceived and learned Words.\par 3. Be acquainted or familiar with Him through the communication of prayer and hearing of faith.\par 4. To experience Him in the power of the Holy Ghost. Like to "Know music," is to have such an experience with it that we can play it and use it, so we experience His presence until we can exercise our inner man in spiritual things. To have a skill of walking with him through practice in the exercise of our knowledge of Him as Paul spoke of in \cf2\ul Heb_5:11-14\cf0\ulnone .\par 5. To recognize or distinguish His ways from our natural inclinations or from humanistic voices. To distinguish the right from the wrong because we have been often with Him througLVAL(h His Word, through the hours of prayer, through the preaching of the Gospel, and the meditations of the heart.\par 6. To have the mind enlightened by God until we understand what He reveals and like David, be a man after God's own heart.\par 7. In Bible terms knowing of one person by another included a physical relationship and in knowing God there is a closeness and awareness of His presence that enraptures the heart.\par \par \cf2\ul Tit_1:16\cf0\ulnone Some profess to know Him but in works deny Him.\par \cf2\ul Mat_7:21-23\cf0\ulnone Some will do great works and yet He will say, "I never knew you."\par \cf2\ul 1Th_5:12\cf0\ulnone We are to know those who labor among us\par \cf2\ul 2Co_3:18\cf0\ulnone We are formed into the same image\par \cf2\ul Mat_11:28-30\cf0\ulnone We come to Him and learn of Him\par \cf2\ul Gen_3:22\cf0\ulnone Man is as one of us to know good and evil\par \cf2\ul Deu_13:3\cf0\ulnone He will know if you love Him\par \cf2\ul Jos_22:22\cf0\ulnone God knows Israel\par \cf2\ul 1Sa_17:47\cf0\ulnone Know that God saves\par \cf2\ul 1Ki_8:38\cf0\ulnone Man will know the plague of his own heart\par \cf2\ul 2Ki_5:8\cf0\ulnone Namaan would know there is a prophet in Israel\par \cf2\ul Job_13:23\cf0\ulnone Make me know my transgressions\par \cf2\ul Psa_89:15\cf0\ulnone Know the joyful sound\par \cf2\ul Psa_139:23\cf0\ulnone God, know my heart\par \cf2\ul Isa_52:6\cf0\ulnone Known my name\par \cf2\ul Jer_17:9\cf0\ulnone Heart is deceitful, who can know it?\par \cf2\ul Jer_24:7\cf0\ulnone Give them a heart to know me\par \cf2\ul Jer_31:34\cf0\ulnone Shall know me\par \cf2\ul Hos_13:4\cf0\ulnone Know none but me\par \cf2\ul Mat_13:11\cf0\ulnone Given to you to know\par \cf2\ul Mat_11:25-27\cf0\ulnone Hid from wise and prudent and revealed to babes\par \cf2\ul Joh_10:14\cf0\ulnone He knows His sheep\par \cf2\ul 1Co_2:14\cf0\ulnone We know things spiritually discerned\par \cf2\ul Phi_3:8-10\cf0\ulnone That I may know Him and the power of His rLVAL)esurrection\par Cherubim \par \cf2\ul 2Pe_1:3\cf0\ulnone\par \cf2\ul Psa_1:6\cf0\ulnone He knows the righteous\par \cf3\fs29\par \cf1\b IX. WORSHIP \par \cf3\b0\par \pard{\pntext\f0 1.\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlbody\pnf0\pnindent0\pnstart1\pndec{\pntxta.}} \fi-360\li360 God pled with Israel to take words and turn to Him (\cf2\ul Hos_14:2\cf3\ulnone ) This passage teaches us how we are to come back to God. "Take with you words and turn." We are to come in prayer to God. We are to come in supplication, to come and acknowledge that we have nothing, and with an entreaty that He will furnish us with that which we require. The prophet gives us the very prayer we are to offer just as Jesus gave His disciples a prayer to offer (\cf2\ul Mat_6:9\cf3\ulnone ). That must be an acceptable prayer which God Himself has indited! Here is the sum and substance of every acceptable prayer that has ever been offered to God. \cf4\b "Take unto you words," \cf3\b0 God not only invites us to return, but He tells us how to do it. He puts the very words in our mouth. In fact His Spirit will intercede for you when you do not know how to pray (\cf2\ul Rom_8:26\cf3\ulnone ). \cf2\ul Php_4:6\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 2.\tab}God's people were related to Him by covenant and He required their devotion. \cf2\ul Mal_2:5-7\cf3\ulnone\par {\pntext\f0 3.\tab}Sanctify a fast and call a solemn assembly \cf2\ul Joe_1:14; Isa_58:1-10\cf3\ulnone\par \pard Turn to Him with all your heart. \par 4 Rend your hearts. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation \cf2\ul Joe_2:12-17 \cf3\ulnone Many signs and symbols among Jews by which they professed to express feeling, desire.\par (1) In prayer -- kneeling, prostration, standing, lifting the hands, hiding the face, smiting upon the breast.\par (2) Rending garment. This expressed strongest, most intense emotion of sorrow, or terror, or horror. (Gen 37:29,34; 2 Sam 3:31; 1 Kings 21:27; Jer 36:24; Matt 26:65; Acts 14:14.) The emotion professedly expressed in Judah at that time -- the deepest sorrLVAL*ow for sin; the most earnest contrition and repentance.\par \par 5 Whoever calls on Him will be delivered (\cf2\ul Joe_2:32\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_10:11-14\cf3\ulnone ).\par 6 Seek the Lord and live \cf2\ul Amo_5:6; Amo_5:8\cf3\ulnone \cf0\f1\fs24\ldblquote Seek the Lord that ye may live.\rdblquote Equally simple and definite are the admonition and the promise. Man knows what he has to do, and what to expect. Not merely is warning given, but also promise and the reverse. The \cf4\b gain is certain if one fulfills the condition\cf0\b0 , but the condition is indispensable. Yet how little is asked\emdash only to seek the Lord,\emdash and at the same time how much! And on the other hand, how little apparently is promised\emdash to live\emdash and yet how much! Warning and promise therefore are connected together not merely by an outward, casual juxtaposition, but by an inward coherence. The\cf4\b result always follows upon the performance of the conditions\cf0\b0 ; for it is the Lord from whom life and death proceed. Hence no other condition for the attainment of life can be imposed than just this, Seek the Lord; and no smaller gain can be promised to the fulfillment of that condition than this,\emdash Life. How strong a testimony for the truth of religion is contained in a single maxim of this kind, and that one recorded in the Scriptures, even in the Old Testament! The condition imposed is in the first instance religious\emdash\ldblquote Seek the Lord, and cleave not to idols\rdblquote\emdash (ver. 5, also vers. 25, 26), but this naturally involves also one of an ethical character. And this \cf4\b seeking of good is more closely defined as hating evil and loving good. Both must concur;\cf0\b0 then only is there a real seeking of good; for God does the one as well as the other. \cf4\b Evil must be earnestly repelled and shunned, otherwise the seeking of good lacks truth and energy;\cf0\b0 in like manner must good be grasped at, otherwise the attempt misses its aim and soon becomes fruitless. PiLVAL+ety must have an ethical element, must show itself by hating evil and loving good. A mere outward religiousness, however zealous in ceremonies, is worthless in the eyes of God (\cf2\ul Mat_15:8\cf0\ulnone ). Amos pronounces most decidedly against a sacrificial service destitute of a corresponding disposition of heart, where the offerings and gifts are not the expression of inward devotion and obedience to God.\cf3\f0\fs29\par 7Let judgment run down like water \cf2\ul Amo_5:24; Isa_48:18\cf3\ulnone\par \pard\fi360 8 Gentiles will come to Zion to worship \cf2\ul Mic_4:2 \cf0\ulnone\f1\fs24 The world is aroused to receive the statute and watch-word of God which goes forth from Zion. And this watchword is Peace, not the peace which the world giveth, for \ldblquote in the world ye shall have tribulation;\rdblquote but which God alone can give, wheu He becomes judge of the nations. He has become the God of the world, the calling of Israel the religion of the world. Those who belong to Him are a congregation of the holy, separated from all that is impure, from all in which imin trusts apart from God, which he loves and fears besides God; and therefore triumphant, because God maintains her cause.\par \cf3\f0\fs29\par \pard 9Here is what God requires \cf2\ul Mic_6:7-8 \cf3\ulnone The requirements of God: --\par I. TO DO JUSTLY. To act, speak, and to strive to think, fairly, honestly, towards all men. Not to suffer feelings, interest, passions, or prejudices to influence us. (See for Scripture counsels and commands, \cf2\ul Deu_16:19-20\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_82:3-4\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_23:3\cf3\ulnone , \cf2\ul Exo_23:8\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Lev_19:33-36\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Pro_20:14\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Lev_19:11\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_23:1\cf3\ulnone ) Notice that we are bidden to do justly, but not commanded always to exact justice, or our strict rights from others.\par II. Love MERCY. The doing of strict justice is sometimes most painful, but the work of mercy is ever a labour of love. The CLVAL,hristian learns, more and more, how much he is indebted to mercy; and hence he loves mercy with thankful love, and the work of mercy is to him the work of gratitude. The Bible has beautiful precepts on this subject (\cf2\ul Deu_22:1-4\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Exo_23:4-5\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_5:44\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_12:20-21\cf3\ulnone ). The poor are especial objects of God's mercy (\cf2\ul Deu_15:11\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Deu_24:10-13\cf3\ulnone ). The merciful will not be too sharp in gathering for himself all he can, nor in insisting on every right which man's law gives him, if that right bear hardly on his neighbour (\cf2\ul Deu_24:19-21\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jas_2:13\cf3\ulnone ). Mercy is to be shown in sympathy (\cf2\ul Rom_12:15\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_23:34\cf3\ulnone ).\par III. WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD. The humblest thing a man can do is to accept Christ. The next is to depend simply and entirely on God the Holy Ghost for strength to do just, grace to love mercy, and to walk humbly. To walk humbly is to have a constant sense of our sinfulness -- God's holiness; our weakness -- God's all might; our folly and ignorance -- God's wisdom, truth, and love. It is to acknowledge God in prosperity (\cf2\ul Deu_8:12\cf3\ulnone , etc.). It is to acknowledge God in adversity (\cf2\ul 1Pe_5:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_57:15\cf3\ulnone ).\par \par 10Faithful wait upon God \cf2\ul Mic_7:7-9; Hab_2:1; Isa_40:31\cf3\ulnone\par 11God casts our sins into the depths of the sea \cf2\ul Mic_7:19\par \cf3\ulnone You see the river as it goes sluggishly down toward the sea, carrying with it endless impurity and corruption. You watch the inky stream as it pours along day and night, and you think it will pollute the world. But you have just been down to the seashore, and you have looked on the great deep, and it has not left a stain on the ocean. No, it has been running down a good many years and carried a world of impurity with it, but when you go to the sea there is not a speck on it. As to the ocean, it knoLVAL-ws nothing about it.\par 12Habakkuk prayed for revival \cf2\ul Hab_3:1-2 \cf3\ulnone Literally, to revive is to live again. It supposes life possessed, life departed, life restored. Sometimes it means to infuse fresh vigour, increased animation, where life is weak and drooping, though not extinct. When Habakkuk says, "O Lord, revive Thy work," he does not imply that God's work had died out, only that it was in a low and declining state. Mercy he implores -- pardoning, restoring, reviving mercy. This is the object we seek when we ask God to revive His work in us and amongst us. A revival of religion supposes it to exist, but to be in a low and declining state. Let every Church be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain. The Divine favour will be restored, and the Church will be revived. Such a Church God will own and bless. What is necessary to a revival?\par To recognise the fact that a revival is needed. Well satisfied with our present need, we neither desire nor seek anything better. \cf2\ul Rev_3:14-20\cf3\ulnone\par \par 13Faith triumphs in worship \cf2\ul Hab_3:17-19\cf3\ulnone\par 14Seek righteousness and meekness \cf2\ul Zep_2:3\par \cf3\ulnone 15The day will come when all the world will come to worship Him\cf2\ul Mic_4:1-4\cf3\ulnone World worship Him with one consent (\cf2\ul Zep_3:9\cf3\ulnone )\par People will want to speedily go to worship \cf2\ul Zec_8:21-23\cf3\ulnone \par Ask and you will receive \cf2\ul Zec_10:1\cf3\ulnone\par People will come from everywhere to worship (\cf2\ul Zec_14:16\cf3\ulnone )\par \par Some prophets were more devoted to a particular theme than others. Zechariah and Micah's focus was on the Messiah. Haggai and Joel's focus was restoration. Zephaniah's focus was the Day of the Lord.\par \par \cf1\b X. PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM THE PROPHETS FOR US TODAY \fs20 [SEE \ul Hos_1:2\ulnone ]\fs29\par \cf3\b0\fs28 1. HOSEA (\cf2\ul Hos_1:1\cf3\ulnone )\par 2. JOEL (\cf2\ul Joe_1:1\cf3\ulnone )\par 3. AMOS (\cf2\ul Amo_1:2\cf3\ulnone )\par 4. OBADILVAL.AH (\cf2\ul Oba_1:1\cf3\ulnone )\par 5. JONAH (\cf2\ul Jon_1:1\cf3\ulnone )\par 6. MICAH (\cf2\ul Mic_1:3\cf3\ulnone )\par 7. NAHUM (\cf2\ul Nah_1:4\cf3\ulnone )\par 8. HABAKKUK (\cf2\ul Hab_1:2\cf3\ulnone )\par 9. ZEPHANIAH (\cf2\ul Zep_1:2\cf3\ulnone )\par 10. HAGGAI (\cf2\ul Hag_1:2\cf3\ulnone )\par 11. ZECHARIAH (\cf2\ul Zec_1:2\cf3\ulnone )\par 12. MALACHI (\cf2\ul Mal_1:1\cf3\ulnone )\par \fs23\par \par \pard\qc\b\fs32 MINOR PROPHETS\par \pard\cf2\ul\b0\fs28 Hos_1:2\cf3\ulnone\par \par INTRODUCTION\par \b\fs20 [SEE ALSO \cf2\ul Hos_1:3\cf3\ulnone ]\b0\fs28\par \cf0 1. Augustine is credited with being the first to classify the last twelve books which are prophets of Israel as Minor Prophets.\par 2. The distinction pertains only to the length of the books. But you will notice that neither this distinction, nor any other can be taken as accurate. The only way to accurately identify them is that the major prophets are the first five and the minor prophets are the last twelve.\par \cf1\b a. The "major prophets" include the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah,\par Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel\par b. The "minor prophets" are those twelve books from Hosea to \par Malachi\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1\b 1.\tab DATES OF THE PROPHETS\par \cf0\b0 To give accurate dates on when the prophets prophesied is impossible. One set of dates that is accepted by those who believe in the ability of the prophet to predict the future is as follows: (Elijah and Elisha had prophesied earlier than these; about 900 BC but they wrote no books nor were any prophet books written during their time.\par \par \b A. NINTH CENTURY (PRE-ASSYRIAN PERIOD)\b0\par 1. Obadiah (ca. 845 B.C)\par 2. Joel (ca 830 B.C.)\par 3. Jonah (790-750 B.C.) \cf2\ul 2Ki_14:25\cf0\ulnone Amaziah\par This is during the period of "The Divided Kingdom" in Israel's\par history; to the north and east the empire of Assyria was \par beginning to make its presence known in Israel\paLVAL/r \par \b B. EIGHTH CENTURY (ASSYRIAN PERIOD) \b0\par 1. Amos (755 B.C.)\par 2. Hosea (750-725 B.C.)\par 3. Isaiah (740-700 B.C.)\par 4. Micah (735-700 B.C.)\par In 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into \par Assyrian captivity; these prophets were proclaiming God's \par message as the nation was being threatened from the north\par \par \b C. SEVENTH CENTURY (CHALDEAN PERIOD)\b0\par 1. Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.)\par 2. Zephaniah (630-625 B.C.)\par 3. Nahum (625-612 B.C.)\par 4. Habakkuk (625-605 B.C.)\par Assyria was eventually defeated by Babylon; these prophets \par served as God's messengers when the Babylonian empire \par threatened the kingdom of Judah\par \par \b D. SIXTH CENTURY (JUDEAN EXILE)\b0\par 1. Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.)\par 2. Daniel (605-536 B.C.)\par Like many of their countrymen, these prophets were taken into\par Babylonian captivity; from Babylon they served as God's \par messengers to both captives and kings\par \par \b E. SIXTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES (POST-EXILIC PERIOD)\b0\par 1. Haggai (520 B.C.)\par 2. Zechariah (520-518 B.C.)\par 3. Malachi (ca. 440 B.C.)\par After the Jews were allowed to return home from Babylonian \par captivity, God used Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the \par people to rebuild the temple; later, Malachi was used to \par reform the priesthood during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah\b\par \b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 2.\tab STAGES OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY\par \cf0\b0\par \tab In order to intelligently understand the prophetic books, it is first a necessity that you know something about the nation of Israel. Learn first of all her position in the Scriptures, and how, in God's plan, it all fits together. \par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b A. CAMPERS:\b0 This era of Hebrew history is the period extending from the cLVAL0all of Abraham, founder of the nation of Israel to the entering of the nation into Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. Few prophets were found here and the function of those was different from the later prophets.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b B. COMMONWEALTH:\b0 This is the period from the entrance into Canaan to the crowning of Israel's first king, Saul. Israelites were primarily farmers at this time and were under priestly rule. The prophets increased but were still primarily messengers from God with no strong judgmental role.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b C. CROWN:\b0 From the crowning of Saul until the Babylonian captivity, Israel was under kings. This was the beginning of a strong prophetic message. The need of prophets was quite apparent. There was no more priestly influence because Israel was mostly a mercantile nation now. They had gotten away from the soil. Thus the prophet had his greatest work during this and the following time. He was to try and stem the tide of immorality and once Israel forsook the Living God.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b D. CAPTIVITY:\b0 This period included the restoring of Israel, and extended from the Babylonian captivity until the end of the Old Testament. There was an intense effort of prophets just before the captivity. It picked up again for a short time after the captivity, in what was known as the Post-Exilic period. But Malachi was the last prophet in Israel to rise, and he prophesied some 400 years before Christ.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 3. \tab A LOOK AT ISRAEL'S NEED FOR PROPHETS\par \pard\cf0\b0\par During the course of time Israel emerged from a small nation into a great nation. They went from a nation ruled by God through the priests, to a nation wanting an earthly king to rule them like the surrounding nations. As these scenes developed, closer and closer drew the time when men such as Joel, Amos, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and many others came upon the scene to declare the word of God.\par LVAL1 \par Remember that the prophet spoke for his own day, trying to form a righteous nation of Israel. At the same time he spoke of things to come, and oftentimes in stages. It was at these times that the prophet would inquire into what he was prophesying (\cf2\ul 1Pe_1:10-11\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\b A. ISRAEL'S HISTORY\par \pard\b0\par \pard\li720 You must be familiar with Israel's history to see the purpose and the unfolding of the prophets.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b B. POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS\par \pard\b0\par \pard\li720 You must understand something of the political and religious conditions of the day in which the prophet lived. This can only be done by reading the books of Kings and Chronicles.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b C. TWOFOLD AND THREEFOLD REVELATION\par \pard\b0\par \pard\li720 You must recognize that the prophet saw from a twofold and sometimes a threefold dimension. The immediate present, the near future (often the captivity period), and the end of the age.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b D. SEVEN MAJOR PROPHETIC CONCERNS\par \pard\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li1080\tx720\cf4\b\'b7 Coming of the Messiah-Anointed One Christ\par \'b7 Millennial reign of Christ\par David's Kingdom, Messianic Kingdom\par \pard\fi-360\li1080\'b7 Restoration of Israel (Remnant to be saved)\par \'b7 Day of the Lord (Tribulation or Jacob's troubles)\par \'b7 Outpouring of the Spirit\par \'b7 Role of the Gentiles\par \'b7 Resurrection of the body\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 4. DEFINITION OF A PROPHET\par \pard\cf0\b0\par \pard\li360 These men were foundation layers (\cf2\ul Eph_2:19-22\cf0\ulnone ). They were seers, speakers, and writers for God (\cf2\ul 1Sa_9:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_2:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Pe_1:21\cf0\ulnone ). They are probably best described by the Hebrew words \ul\i roech\ulnone\i0 and \ul\i chozeh\ulnone\i0 , which mean "to see." For this reason they were called seers. Another HebrewLVAL2 word for prophet was \ul\i nahbi\ulnone\i0 which meant "a person who brings forth [something] to announce." \par \pard\par \pard\li360 They are best described by their titles:\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (1) Seer:\b0 They saw the Word of God (\cf2\ul Isa_2:1\cf0\ulnone ). They understood God's thinking and heard His voice. Their vision was similar to looking at the sky at night. The stars appear to be together, but they are miles apart. (\cf2\ul 1Sa_9:9\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (2) Prophet:\b0 They had a message from God to speak to the people. (\cf2\ul 1Sa_9:9\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (3) Man of the Spirit:\b0 They were acquainted with and in communication with the presence of God. (\cf2\ul Dan_5:11\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (4) Man of God:\b0 One who is an agent for God. He must come in God's stead. (\cf2\ul 1Sa_2:27\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (5) Servant of Jehovah:\b0 He is a man without a will of his own. (\cf2\ul Jos_1:13\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (6) Messenger of Jehovah:\b0 His word is that of another and not his own. (\cf2\ul Mal_2:7\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b (7)\tab Watchman:\b0 He is ever alert to the movements of the enemy. He knows the work of God behind the scenes. (\cf2\ul Eze_3:17\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\b\par \pard\fi-360\li720 (8)\tab Interpreter:\b0 He explained the Word, the vision, or dream that was from God to those for whom it was intended. (\cf2\ul Job_33:23\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 5.\tab ISRAEL'S IDEA OF A BIBLICAL PROPHET\par \pard\cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li720\tx720\'b7\tab LAW: First five books of the Bible.\par \pard\fi-360\li720\'b7\tab EARLY PROPHETS: From Joshua to Chronicles.\par \'b7\tab LATER PROPHETS: From Isaiah to Malachi.\par \'b7\tab WRITINGS: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel.\par \pard\par The histoLVAL3rians wrote the events of life, but the prophets disclosed the unseen hand of God behind the scenes. Through the prophets God let the world know that the heavens do rule (\cf2\ul Dan_4:26\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_2:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Dan_4:25\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Dan_4:17\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Dan_4:32-35\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Pro_16:9\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Pro_16:33\cf3\ulnone )\cf0\par \b\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1 6.\tab MARKS OF A PROPHET\par \pard\cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720 A. They were human\b0 \par \pard\par \pard\li360 We tend to think of the prophet as a man who never did anything wrong. Even in the New Testament we tend to look at the apostles as perfect men whose every word and deed was exactly right. We must remember that they were just as human as we are.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b B. They were men of insight \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 They saw into the future, but they did not predict the future. Prediction is the work of witches, familiar spirits, necromancers, spiritualist mediums, reading tealeaves, etc. Those who read the palms and the eyes are often merely using body language rather than using accurate prediction. \par \pard\par Prophecy is not the inevitable decree of fate, but the Word of God to man. Prophecy can be conditioned ethically. \par \pard\fi-360\li360\'b7\tab\cf2\ul Jer_18:2 \cf0\ulnone ff Judgment was pronounced, not predicted.\par \'b7\tab Jonah at Nineveh: "Nineveh shall be destroyed."\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul Eze_18:25-30\cf0\ulnone "My ways are equal."\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul 1Ki_21:29\cf0\ulnone Punishment can be mitigated.\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul Jer_18:9 \cf0\ulnone f Word may be recalled to the unworthy.\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul 2Ki_22:15-20\cf0\ulnone Word can be postponed through goodness.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b C. They were lonely men \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 They were not lonely because they were away from people\emdash they were at the crossroads of the crowded ways of life. But they always contradicLVAL4ted the life and lifestyles of others. Isaiah said, "Don't fear what others fear." Jeremiah said, "Go to Babylon." They called him a traitor. \par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b D. They were men of fiery earnestness \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 They had a message they had to get across at any cost (\cf2\ul Jer_20:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_9:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_3:7-8\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b E. They were not popular \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 Prophets are known for being persecuted.\par \pard\fi-360\li720\tx720\'b7\tab\cf2\ul Act_7:52\cf0\ulnone "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?"\par \pard\fi-360\li720\'b7\tab\cf2\ul Mat_5:11-12\cf0\ulnone "Blessed are you...so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul Mat_23:31\cf0\ulnone "You are the children of those who killed the prophets."\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul Mat_23:37\cf0\ulnone "Thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee."\par \'b7\tab\cf2\ul Luk_6:23\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_11:36-39\cf0\ulnone\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b F. Men of deep religious experience \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 They knew how to pray. They were sent from God. I would not recommend the prophet's life. They are the most hated men in the world.\par \pard\par \pard\li360 Some were "Sons of the prophets," or members of the prophetical school. Amos said he was not of any such school (\cf2\ul Amo_7:14 \cf0\ulnone f)\emdash he had been a shepherd and a workman. Some were priests (Jeremiah and Ezekiel). Age made no difference. (\cf2\ul 1Sa_3:1 \cf0\ulnone ff; \cf2\ul Jer_1:6\cf0\ulnone ). Women were prophetesses such as Deborah (\cf2\ul Jdg_4:4\cf0\ulnone ), Miriam (\cf2\ul Exo_15:20\cf0\ulnone ), Huldah (\cf2\ul 2Ki_22:14\cf0\ulnone ), and Anna (\cf2\ul Luk_2:36\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par Some were entirely estranged from God, such as Saul (\cf2\ul 1Sa_10:11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Sa_19:24\cf0\ulnone ), Balaam (Numbers 2LVAL53), and Caiaphas (\cf2\ul Joh_11:51\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par The prophet did not always speak in an inspired state (as Nathan in \cf2\ul 2Sa_7:3 \cf0\ulnone ff). The prophet did not always know the future or the problem (\cf2\ul 2Ki_4:27\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ki_3:15\cf0\ulnone ). They believed that prophecy was greater than dreams (\cf2\ul Jer_23:25 \cf0\ulnone f). Any word which became canonical was prophecy (\cf2\ul Pro_30:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Pro_31:1\cf0\ulnone ). In the sense of ministry the harp was spoken of as prophesying (\cf2\ul 1Ch_25:3\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par The origin of the school of the prophets was probably from an experienced prophet attracting to himself bands of youths who sought to receive a measure of his spirit. These prophets (disciples) usually lived in colonies around the prophet. There were several prophets who had disciples such as (Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha [2 Kings 2-6], Isaiah [\cf2\ul Isa_8:16\cf0\ulnone ], Jeremiah [\cf2\ul Jer_45:1\cf0\ulnone ], and John the Baptist [\cf2\ul Joh_7:28\cf0\ulnone ]).\par \par Samuel is usually accepted as the first to found such a school because in or around Ramah we first find \ul\i nayoth\ulnone\i0 or colonies of such disciples (\cf2\ul 1Sa_19:18 \cf0\ulnone f; \cf2\ul 1Sa_20:1\cf0\ulnone ). Their activities were most likely with prayers and fasting. Later music became an integral part of prophecy. When the kings reigned the prophet became part of his court. \par \par There were schools at Bethel (\cf2\ul 2Ki_2:3\cf0\ulnone ), Jericho (\cf2\ul 2Ki_2:5\cf0\ulnone ), Gibeah (\cf2\ul 1Sa_10:5-10\cf0\ulnone ), Gilgal (\cf2\ul 2Ki_4:8\cf0\ulnone ), and Ramah (\cf2\ul 2Ki_19:8\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 7.\tab HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPHET\par \pard\cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720 A. Itinerary prophets - Adam to Moses\b0 \par \pard\par \pard\li360 The prophets from Adam to Moses are called itinerary because their prophecy was not their life work. They might only prophesy once in their lLVAL6ifetime (\cf2\ul Act_3:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Luk_1:70\cf0\ulnone ). They include Adam (\cf2\ul Gen_2:24\cf0\ulnone on marriage), Abel (\cf2\ul Luk_11:49-51\cf0\ulnone ), Enoch (\cf2\ul Jud_1:14\cf0\ulnone ), Noah (\cf2\ul Gen_9:25-27\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_11:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Pe_3:20\cf0\ulnone flood), Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (\cf2\ul Gen_20:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_105:5\cf0\ulnone ), Moses (\cf2\ul Deu_18:18\cf0\ulnone ), Balaam (Numbers 22), Miriam (\cf2\ul Exo_15:20\cf0\ulnone ), Deborah (\cf2\ul Jdg_4:4\cf0\ulnone ), and Aaron (\cf2\ul Exo_7:1\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par They were mostly seers (as a contrast to speakers). Their prophecy may be spasmodic and simple [basic] (\cf2\ul Heb_1:1\cf0\ulnone ). \par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b B. Official prophet \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 Moses instituted the prophetic office (\cf2\ul Deu_18:18\cf0\ulnone ) and from Moses to Samuel was a period of official prophets. Moses' prophecy of a prophet to come like himself was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Jews knew of Moses' prophecy and looked at each prophet with the question, "Are you the one?" (\cf2\ul Joh_4:25\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_8:28\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_12:49-50\cf0\ulnone ). They thought it might be John (\cf2\ul Joh_1:21\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Joh_1:25\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Joh_1:45\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_3:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Act_7:37\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b C. Imperial prophet \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 Some prophets directed kings. These were in contrast to the past prophets whose attention was more on individuals within the kingdom. These were the prophets from Samuel to the writing of the Old Testament.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li720\b D. Canonical prophets \par \pard\b0\par \pard\li360 These are the prophets we are the most likely to recognize as prophets. They were the writers of the majority of the Old Testament. These writing prophets fit into three eras of time.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\LVAL7li720\tx720\'b7\tab Pre-exilic: Those prophets who prophesied before Judah went into captivity.\par \pard\fi-360\li720\'b7\tab Exilic: Those prophets who prophesied during the Babylonian captivity of Judah.\par \'b7\tab Post-exilic: Prophets who prophesied after the return from captivity.\par \pard\par \pard\qc\b PICTURE OF A PROPHET\par \pard\b0\par The prophet in his day is fully accepted of God and totally rejected of men.\par \par Years back, Dr. Gregory Mantle was right when he said, "No man can be fully accepted until he is totally rejected." The prophet of the Lord is aware of both of these experiences. They are his "brand name."\par \par The group, challenged by the prophet because they are smug and comfortably insulated from the perishing world in their warm but untested theology, are not likely to vote him "Man of the Year" when he refers to them as habituates of the synagogue of satan!\par \par The prophet comes to set up that which is upset. His work is to call into line those who are out of line! He is unpopular because he opposes the popular in morality and spirituality. In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin-Sparks once said, "has almost always been that of recovery."\par \par The prophet is God's detective seeking for a lost treasure. The degree of his effectiveness is determined by the measure of his unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him.\par He has no price tags.\par He is totally "otherworldly."\par He is unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile.\par He marches to the beat of another drummer!\par He breathes the rarefied air of inspiration.\par He is a "seer" who comes to lead the blind.\par He lives in the heights with God and comes into the valley with a "thus saith the Lord."\par He shares some of the foreknowledge of God, and so is aware of impending judgment.\par He lives "in splendid isolLVAL8ation."\par He is forthright and outright, but claims no birthright.\par His message is "repent, be reconciled to God or else...!\par His prophecies are parried.\par His truth brings torment, but his voice is never void.\par He is the villain of today and the hero of tomorrow.\par He is excommunicated while alive and exalted when dead.\par He is dishonored with epithets when breathing and honored with epitaphs when dead.\par He is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, but few "make the grade" in his class.\par He is friendless while living and famous when dead.\par He is against the establishment in ministry; then he is established as a saint by posterity.\par He eats daily the bread of affliction while he ministers; but he feeds the Bread of life to those who listen.\par He walks before men for days, but has walked before God for years.\par He is a scourge to the nation before he is scourged by the nation.\par He announces, pronounces, and denounces!\par He has a heart like a volcano and his words are as fire.\par God talks to him about men.\par He talks to men about God.\par He carries the lamp of truth among heretics while he is lampooned by men.\par He faces God before he faces men, but he is self-effacing.\par He hides with God in the secret place, but he has nothing to hide in the marketplace.\par He is naturally sensitive but supernaturally spiritual.\par He has passion, purpose, and pugnacity.\par He is ordained of God but disdained by men.\par \par Our national need at this hour is not that the dollar recover its strength, or that we save face over the Trade Center Terrorist attack, or that we the answer to the ecology problem. We need a God-sent prophet!\par I am bombarded with talk or letters about the coming shortages in our national life: bread, fuel, and energy. I read between the lines from people not practiced in scaring folk. They feel that the "seven years of plenty" are over for us. The "seven years of famine" are ahead. But the greatest famine of all LVALthe nation at this given moment is a FAMINE OF THE HEARING OF THE WORDS OF GOD (\cf2\ul Amo_8:11\cf0\ulnone ).\par \tab\par Millions have been spent on evangelism in the last twenty-five years. Hundreds of gospel messages streak through the air over the nation every day. Crusades have been held, healing meetings have made a vital contribution. "Come-outers" have "come out" and settled, too, without a nation-shaking revival. BUT, where, oh where, is the prophet? Where are the incandescent men fresh from the holy place?\par \par One prophet that is always left out of a study of the prophets is David in the book of Psalms because it is the hymnbook of Israel and is not usually considered a book of prophecy, but as you read it you will find it has something concerning every major theme of prophecy. \b\fs20 [SEE PROPHECY IN THE PSALMS \cf2\ul Psa_1:6\cf0\ulnone ]\b0\fs28\par \par \cf3\f4\fs17\par \f0\fs29\par } LVALx:{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red255\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\tx180\tx360\tx540\cf1\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 BOOK OF HOSEA\cf0\b0\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \b AUTHOR: \b0 Hosea, the son of Beeri, \cf2\ul Hos_1:1\cf0\ulnone . A contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, he was \b ESPECIALLY FIT FOR HIS TASK\b0 .\par \par \pard\fi-630\li630\tx180\tx360\tx540\tab\tab (1) He is supposed to have been a native of Israel, the northern kingdom and was familiar with the evil conditions existing in Israel. This gave a special weight to his message.\par \tab\tab (2) It would appear from the narrative that he married a wife who proved to be unchaste. This enabled him to vividly portray God's attitude toward Israel, His adulterous spouse, \cf2\ul Hos_1:2-3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:1-5\cf0\ulnone . It has been a problem of some that God would ask a man to marry such a woman when He knew she would turn out this way. But God was using a human experience to describe a problem His people needed to understand. It is not likely she was a prostitute when he married her, but was raised in that environment and became one later.\par \par \pard\li360 His name, like that of Joshua and Jesus come from the primitive Hebrew root \ul Yawshah\ulnone , signifying \ldblquote Salvation,\rdblquote \ldblquote Help,\rdblquote or \ldblquote Deliverance.\rdblquote\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \b DATE WRITTEN:\b0 Approximately 725 B.C. recording the events of his ministry which stretched from about 755 B.C. to 710 B.C.\par \par \b PURPOSE: \b0 To reveal God's unconditional love, especially illustrated in contrast to the sinful harlotry of His people.\par \par \b TO WHOM WRITTEN:\b0 The Northern Kingdom (Israel).\par \par \b MAIN THEME:\b0 A spiritual message. Apostasy froLVAL;m God is spiritual adultery.\par \pard\fi-540\li540\tx180\tx360\tx540\tab (1) God, the husband, \cf2\ul Hos_2:16-20\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_5:4-5\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab (2) Israel, the unchaste wife, \cf2\ul Hos_2:2\cf0\ulnone . \par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\b\par KEY WORDS:\b0 Unconditional love. [The word love is found only 7 times in 5 verses of Hosea]\par \b\par KEY VERSE:\b0 \cf2\ul Hos_3:1\cf0\ulnone .\par \par \b NOTABLE PASSAGE:\b0 Penitence and its blessings, \cf2\ul Hos_14:1\cf0\ulnone .\par \par \b SYNOPSIS:\b0\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\tx180\tx360\tx540\tab\b I. Israel's apostasy\b0 symbolized by the experience of the prophet in his marriage, 1-3.\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \pard\fi-450\li450\tx180\tx360\tx540\tab\b II. Prophetic discourses,\b0 chiefly descriptions of the backsliding and idolatry of the people mingled with threatening and exhortations, 4-13.\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \tab The formal call to repentance and promises of future blessings, 14.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li1080\qc\b STEPS TO ISRAEL\rquote S DOWNFALL\par \pard\fi-360\li1080\b0\par A.\tab\b BRAIN\b0 Lack of knowledge (\cf2\ul Hos_4:6\cf0\ulnone ). No brains \{\cf2\ul Hos_4:11\cf0\ulnone the word heart is the same as the English word \ldblquote Brains.\rdblquote\}\par \par B.\tab\b HIGH NOSE\b0 Pride (\cf2\ul Hos_5:5\cf0\ulnone ) They became arrogant. They wanted to rival the heathen as a world empire.\par \par C.\tab\b DOUBLE MOUTH\b0 Instability (\cf2\ul Hos_6:4\cf0\ulnone ) Life is stifled by hypocrisy and ritual. (\cf2\ul Hos_6:6\cf0\ulnone ) Worship which ought to be spiritual had become formal and stereotyped.\par \par D.\tab\b HEART\b0 Worldliness (\cf2\ul Hos_7:8\cf0\ulnone ) Their politics were bad. They were like a silly dove \{going between Assyria and Egypt\} and a cake not turned. Hot in politics cold in religion.\par \par E.\tab\b HANDS\b0 Corruption (\cf2\ul Hos_9:9-10\cf0\ulnone ) They corrupted their religion with the unpardonable Phoenician and CaLVAL<naanite nature worship which was unspeakably immoral.\par \par F.\tab\b KNEES\b0 Backsliding (\cf2\ul Hos_11:7\cf0\ulnone ) Forsaking God became a habit. (\cf2\ul Hos_11:6\cf0\ulnone Men were perishing because of their wicked counsel. (\cf2\ul Hos_11:8\cf0\ulnone ) Yet God still loved them and we see His weakest moment.\par \par G.\tab\b FEET\b0 Idolatry (\cf2\ul Hos_13:2\cf0\ulnone ) Now they are guilty of complete abandonment and He gives them up.\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \b ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HIGHLY FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE\b0 used to express the evil conditions in Israel.\par \pard\fi-720\li720\tx180\tx360\tx540\tab\tab (1) The valley of Achor for a door of hope, \cf2\ul Hos_2:15\cf0\ulnone . \i See\i0 \cf2\ul Jos_7:24-26\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (2) "Joined to idols," \cf2\ul Hos_4:17\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (3) "Mixes . . . with the nations" (no longer a separated and holy nation), \cf2\ul Hos_7:8\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (4) "A cake not turned" (dough on one side, expressing half-heartedness), \cf2\ul Hos_7:8\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (5) "Strangers devour his strength" (weakened by evil associations), \cf2\ul Hos_7:9\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (6) "Grey hairs also are sprinkled on him" (premature old age and unconscious deterioration), \cf2\ul Hos_7:9\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (7) "Israel swallowed up" (national identity lost), \cf2\ul Hos_8:8\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (8) "A vessel in which no one delights" (a marred and useless vessel to the Lord), \cf2\ul Hos_8:8\cf0\ulnone .\par \tab\tab (9) "False balances" (commercial trickery in business), \cf2\ul Hos_12:7\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\tx180\tx360\tx540\par \b PROMINENT PEOPLE:\b0 Hosea, Gomer, their children.\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b III.\tab APPLICATIONS FOR TODAY\par \pard\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 1.\tab Inward corruption in a nation or church is more dangerous to its existence than their outward enemies. (\ul Hos_5:1; \cf2\b0 Hos_4:9\cf1\b ; Mat_23:15\ulnone )\cf0\b0 [\cf2\ul Eze_16:49\LVAL=cf0\ulnone Gibbon]\par \par 2.\tab The truest of all patriots is he who identifies himself with the people, sorrows over their calamities as though they were his own, and repents for their sins as though he committed them himself. \{Compare Moses, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Paul\} (\cf2\ul Hos_3:1-5\cf0\ulnone )\par \par 3.\tab It is folly to sacrifice national interests to personal advantage. (\cf2\ul Hos_5:10-11\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par 4.\tab A great penalty is paid for condoning vice (\cf2\ul Hos_4:13-19\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \cf3 5.\tab There is a rapid decline of a nation \{or church\} when the religious leaders become corrupt\emdash\rdblquote Like people like priest\rdblquote (\ul Hos_4:9\ulnone ).\par \cf0\par 6.\tab There is an inescapable retribution for neglecting God\rquote s law (\cf2\ul Hos_4:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_8:1\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Hos_8:12\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par 7.\tab God\rquote s fatherly desire is to show mercy to his wayward children. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:19\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_6:4\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Hos_6:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_10:12\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_12:6\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\li360 Echoes of the prophet are found in the New Testament. \cf2\ul Hos_11:1\cf0\ulnone in \cf2\ul Mat_2:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_10:8\cf0\ulnone in \cf2\ul Luk_23:30\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:23\cf0\ulnone in \cf2\ul 1Pe_2:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_6:6\cf0\ulnone in \cf2\ul Mat_9:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_12:7\cf0\ulnone\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360 8.\tab Hosea's home-life describes the correct relationship we should have with God. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:19\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 9.\tab Hosea's basic message centers around God\rquote s deep concern for His people. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:20-23\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 10.\tab Hosea has a lot to say about love (\cf2\ul Hos_2:14-15\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Hos_2:19-20\cf0\ulnone ; chapter 3; \cf2\ul Hos_11:3-4\cf0\ulnone , LVAL>\cf2\ul Hos_11:8\cf0\ulnone ; chapter 14; \cf2\ul Rom_11:22\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 11.\tab Hosea shows God's grace. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:16\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 12.\tab Israel was a special people to God. (\cf2\ul Deu_7:6; Hos_6:1-3\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 13.\tab In \cf2\ul Hos_3:1-3\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\b Hosea bought his wife as Jesus bought His church\cf0\b0 . How would that relate to our position in Christ today? \cf1\b (\ul 1Co_6:19-20\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 14.\tab What does \cf2\ul Hos_11:8\cf0\ulnone show us about the effect of Israel's sin upon God?\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 15.\tab Marriage a figurative representation of the Christian's relation to Christ. (\cf2\ul\b0 Hos_1:2\cf1\ulnone\b compare \ul Eph_5:26-32\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Co_11:2\cf1\ulnone ; \ul Joh_14:3\ulnone ; \ul Rev_19:7-9\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf1\b 16.\tab We must beware lest we mar our intimate relationship with Christ, bringing on spiritual adultery. (\ul Hos_8:5; \cf2\b0 Mat_6:24\cf1\ulnone\b )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 17.\tab What light does Hosea shed on the possibilities of restoring a backslider?\par Build a hedge (\cf2\ul Hos_2:6\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 18.\tab Where else in the Bible is backsliding referred? \cf2\ul Hos_4:16\cf0\ulnone (Jer 3, 8, 31, 49)\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 19.\tab What is temporary about the pleasures and allurements of the world? (See \cf2\ul Hos_2:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_11:24-26\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 20.\tab\cf1\b It is important for Christians to acknowledge continually God's gracious provisions for all their needs? (\ul Hos_2:8; \cf2\b0 Deu_8:18\cf1\b ; 1Ch_29:14\ulnone ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 21.\tab WLVAL?hat do you believe your attitude would be toward someone who deserted or harmed you? (\cf2\ul Mat_5:43-47\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 22.\tab Some people stress God's love to the exclusion of His holiness, while others stress God's holiness to the exclusion of His love. What is the outcome of each of these extremes in daily living? (\cf2\ul Hos_4:18\cf0\ulnone )\par \par 23.\tab He alone can make us lie down in safety for He is the good shepherd (\cf2\ul Hos_2:18\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_23:2\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\li360\par 24. Examples are valuable teaching tools. (\cf2\ul Hos_12:10\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-360\li360\par \cf1\b 25.\tab We need to know Him (\ul Hos_4:6\ulnone )\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1\b 26.\tab We reap what we sow (\ul Hos_8:7\ulnone ; \ul Gal_6:7-8\ulnone )\par \par 27. \tab We will be resurrected by the Spirit of God (\cf2\ul\b0 Hos_13:14\cf1\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Rom_8:11; 1Co_15:45-55\cf1\ulnone\b )\par \par \pard\fi-720\li720\tx180\tx360\tx540 28. We should transform the valley of Achor into a door of hope, \ul Hos_2:15\ulnone . \i See\i0 \ul Jos_7:24-26\ulnone . [see \cf2\ul\b0 Psa_84:6\cf1\ulnone\b ]\par \par 29. God does not act like a man (\cf2\ul\b0 Hos_11:9\cf1\ulnone\b )\par \pard\cf3\b0\f1\fs29 Well is it for us that there are respects in which God is as man; that he is sympathizing and (as we say) humane. \par We are made in His image so we understand things like love and mercy.\par \par But better is it for us that in other respects God is not as man; for, had he been subject to like passions with ourselves, he would not have borne with us, and we should have been utterly consumed. \cf0\f2\fs24 whose emotions might reflect arbitrary passions and whose wrath might be vindictive rather than equitable. \cf3\f1\fs29\par God, in his treatment of mankind, has shown himself to be altogether superior:\par \pard\li360 To human ignorance (\cf2\ul Isa_55:8-9\cf3\ulnone ). He knows us as we cannot know one another, and all hisLVAL@ counsels have been counsels of consummate wisdom.\par He knows the future and we do not make right decisions.\par \pard\par \pard\li360 To human vacillation. We are prone to be swayed, now by this motive and again by that; there is no such thing as perfect consistency and steadfastness in man. But God is above all such human weakness. "I am the Lord that changeth not, therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed (\cf2\ul Mal_3:6\cf3\ulnone )." "God is faithful," and we may trust him with an implicit confidence.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\f0\fs28\par OTHER LESSONS: \cf2\ul Hos_2:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_2:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_3:1\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_3:2\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:9\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:13\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:14\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_4:16; Hos_5:3\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_5:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_5:12\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_5:13\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_6:3\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_7:8\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_8:7; Hos_9:7\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_12:10\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_13:3\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_13:14\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_14:5\cf3\ulnone ; \cf0\par \pard\fi-720\li720\par \pard Often-used passages of Hosea\par \cf2\ul Hos_4:9\cf0\ulnone\tab Like people, like priest\par \cf2\ul Hos_4:16\cf0\ulnone\tab Israel sliddeth back like a backsliding heifer.\par \pard\fi-720\li720\cf2\ul Hos_6:6\cf0\ulnone\tab For I desire goodness and not sacrifice.\par \cf2\ul Hos_7:8\cf0\ulnone\tab Ephraim is a cake not turned\par \cf2\ul Hos_10:7\cf0\ulnone\tab Cut off as foam upon the water\par \cf2\ul Hos_11:4\cf0\ulnone\tab I drew them with cords of a man, cords of love\par \cf2\ul Hos_11:8\cf0\ulnone\tab How shall I give thee up Ephraim?\par \cf2\ul Hos_6:3\cf0\ulnone\tab Let us follow on to know Jehovah\par \cf2\ul Hos_4:17\cf0\ulnone\tab Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.\par \cf2\ulLVALA Hos_7:9\cf0\ulnone\tab Gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not.\par \cf2\ul Hos_8:7\cf0\ulnone \tab For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind\par \cf2\ul Hos_8:12\cf0\ulnone \tab I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law; but they are counted a strange thing\par \cf2\ul Hos_8:14\cf0\ulnone\tab Israel has forgotten his Maker.\par \cf2\ul Hos_10:12\cf0\ulnone\tab It is time to seek Jehovah\par \cf2\ul Hos_11:9\cf0\ulnone\tab For I am God and not man; The Holy One in the midst of thee\par \cf2\ul Hos_13:4\cf0\ulnone\tab Beside me there is no Savior\par \cf2\ul Hos_14:5\cf0\ulnone\tab I will be as the dew upon Israel [moth silly dove]\par \pard\fi-360\li360\qc\par LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF HOSEA\par \pard\cf4 (Hos 1:1\cf5 ) The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, \i and\i0 Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 1:2)\cf0 \cf5 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, \i departing\i0 from the LORD.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 1.\tab Marriage is a figurative representation of the Christian's relation to Christ. (\cf2\ul Hos_1:2\cf0\ulnone compare \ul Eph_5:26-32\ulnone ; \ul Joh_14:3\ulnone ; \ul Rev_19:7-9\ulnone ).\par \par 2.\tab God told Hosea to marry a harlot. Hosea did not understand why God wanted him to marry a harlot. Sometimes we do not know why God tells us to do certain things. We cannot see the big picture and God knows all things and if we follow and listen to Him, things will turn out all right. (\cf2\ul Hos_1:2\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 1:9)\cf0 \cf5 Then said \i God\i0 , Call his name Loammi: for ye \i are\i0 not my people, and I will not be your \i God\i0 .\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 3.\tab\ldblquote For ye are not my people, LVALBand I will not be your God.\rdblquote Hosea is about reaching out to the backslider. He will restore the lost if they will turn to Him just like Israel and Judah. (\cf2\ul Hos_1:9\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360 4.\tab The reason God separated from His people was because they would not change their ways, and Hosea was estranged from Gomer because she continued in her sins. (\cf2\ul Hos_1:9\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:1)\cf0 \cf5 Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.\cf0\par \par \cf4 (Hos 2:2)\cf0 \cf5 Plead with your mother, plead: for she \i is\i0 not my wife, neither \i am\i0 I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\par 5.\tab Hosea shows how anxious God is to turn those back to Him who have strayed into the sins of this world (idolatry of any kind). (\cf2\ul Hos_2:1-2\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \cf4 (Hos 2:2\cf5 ) Plead with your mother, plead: for she \i is\i0 not my wife, neither \i am\i0 I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 2:3\cf5 ) Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 6.\tab When we do not turn our affections back to God we see Him removing His protection and provision from us. Once we leave the Father\rquote s house we are no longer under His roof as the Prodigal son found out. Therefore we are judged as the sinners are. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:3-4\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:5)\cf0 \cf5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give \i me\i0 my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 7.\tab When we turn to the wLVALCorld, which seems to supply our needs we are deceived by the lie of sin. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:5\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:6)\cf0 \cf5 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 2:7)\cf0 \cf5 And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find \i them\i0 : then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then \i was it\i0 better with me than now.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 8.\tab God often allows us to follow after the things of this world and experience the illusion of sin in order to make us unhappy with it and make us return to our first love where it was better in the first place. Example: the Prodigal Son. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone )\par \par 9.\tab God hedged up Gomer\rquote s way so she could not find her lovers and we pray a hedge of thorns around those who are astray likewise so that they are driven back to God (\cf2\ul Hos_2:6\cf0\ulnone )\par \par 10.\tab The truest of all patriots is he who identifies himself with the people, sorrows over their calamities as though they were his own, and repents for their sins as though he committed them himself. \par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360 11.\tab The pleasures and allurements of the world are only temporary (\ul Hos_2:7\ulnone ; \ul Heb_11:24-26\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:8)\cf0 \cf5 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, \i which\i0 they prepared for Baal.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 12.\tab It is important for Christians to acknowledge continually God's gracious provisions for all their needs. (\ul Hos_2:8\ulnone ).\par \par 13.\tab The world will never be able to manufacture or replicate the true blessings and provisions of God. (Hos 2:8)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:9)\cf0 \cf5 Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the seLVALDason thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax \i given\i0 to cover her nakedness.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 14.\tab The world fools the sinner into believing things are better out there but as James said (\cf2\ul Jas_1:13-15\cf0\ulnone ) the result of sin will eventually show and sin will take its toll on this person\rquote s life and destroy it. That is the illusion of sin (Hosea 2:9) (Example: Billboards of alcohol)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:14)\cf0 \cf5 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 2:15)\cf0 \cf5 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 15.\tab Hosea's basic message centers around God\rquote s deep concern for His people. (Hos 2:14)\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 16.\tab Hosea has a lot to say about love (\ul Hos_2:14-15\ulnone , \ul Hos_2:19-20\ulnone ; chapter 3; \ul Hos_11:3-4\ulnone , \ul Hos_11:8\ulnone ; chapter 14; \ul Rom_11:22\ulnone ), though the word itself is only found seven times in five verses.\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:18)\cf0 \cf5 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and \i with\i0 the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 17.\tab He alone can make us lie down in safety for He is the good shepherd (\ul Hos_2:18\ulnone ; \ul Psa_23:2\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:19\cf5 ) And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 18.\tab God\rquote s fatherly desire is to show mercy to his wayward children. (\LVALEul Hos_2:19\ulnone ; \ul Hos_4:1\ulnone ; \ul Hos_6:4\ulnone , \ul Hos_6:6\ulnone ; \ul Hos_10:12\ulnone ; \ul Hos_12:6\ulnone )\par \par 19.\tab Hosea shows God's grace. (Hos 2:19)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 2:20\cf5 ) I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 2:21)\cf0 \cf5 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;\par \par \cf4 (Hos 2:22)\cf0 \cf5 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 2:23)\cf0 \cf5 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to \i them which were\i0 not my people, Thou \i art\i0 my people; and they shall say, \i Thou art\i0 my God.\cf0\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360 20.\tab Hosea shows us how Israel was unfaithful and condemned for their idolatry, but God, who is unchanging in His love offered forgiveness and a renewed relationship with Him. God loved them and us with an everlasting love. (\cf2\ul Hos_2:20-23\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 3:1)\cf0 \cf5 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of \i her\i0 friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.\par \cf0\par 21.\tab Hosea's home-life describes the correct relationship we should have with God. (Hos 3:1)\par \pard\fi-360\li360\par 22.\tab It would be difficult to have the attitude of Hosea toward someone who deserted him like Gomer did, yet God has the same attitude toward His people. (Hos 3:1)\par \pard\par \cf4 (Hos 3:2)\cf0 \cf5 So I bought her to me for fifteen \i pieces\i0 of silver, and \i for\i0 an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 23.\tab We have been bought by Christ as Hosea bought his wife (Hos 3:1-2; \cf2\ul 1Co_6:19-20\cf0\ulnone )\parLVALF \par 24.\tab Gomer was not worth anything to anyone else but Hosea and Israel was not worth anything to anyone but God. Our life may be worthless to the world but God has bought us by His blood (Hos 3:2)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 3:5\cf5 ) Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 25.\tab Israel was a special people to God. (\cf2\ul Hos_3:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_3:2\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 4:1\cf5 ) Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because \i there is\i0 no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 26.\tab We must beware lest we mar our intimate relationship with Christ, bringing on spiritual adultery. (\cf2\ul Hos_4:1\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 4:6)\cf0 \cf5 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 27.\tab There is an inescapable retribution for neglecting God\rquote s law (\ul Hos_4:6\ulnone ; \ul Hos_8:1\ulnone , \ul Hos_8:12\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 4:7)\cf0 \cf5 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: \i therefore\i0 will I change their glory into shame.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 28.\tab By removing His glory God expresses their weakness (Hosea 4:7)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 4:9)\cf0 \cf5 And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 29.\tab There is a rapid decline of a nation \{or church\} when the religious leaders become corrupt\emdash\rdblquote Like people like priest\rdblquote (\ul Hos_4:9\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 4:13LVALG)\cf0 \cf5 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof \i is\i0 good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:14)\cf0 \cf5 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people \i that\i0 doth not understand shall fall.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:15)\cf0 \cf5 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, \i yet\i0 let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:16)\cf0 \cf5 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:17\cf5 ) Ephraim \i is\i0 joined to idols: let him alone.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:18\cf5 ) Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers \i with\i0 shame do love, Give ye.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 4:19)\cf0 \cf5 The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 30.\tab A great penalty is paid for condoning vice (\ul Hos_4:13-19\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 5:1)\cf0 \cf5 Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment \i is\i0 toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 5:2)\cf0 \cf5 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I \i have been\i0 a rebuker of them all.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 5:3\cf5 ) I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, \i and\i0 Israel is defiled.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 5:4)\cf0 \cf5 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoreLVALHdoms \i is\i0 in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 5:5\cf5 ) And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 31.\tab Inward corruption in a nation is more dangerous to its existence than their outward enemies. (\ul Hos_5:1-5\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 5:10)\cf0 \cf5 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: \i therefore\i0 I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.\par \cf0\par \cf4 (Hos 5:11)\cf0 \cf5 Ephraim \i is\i0 oppressed \i and\i0 broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 32.\tab It is folly to sacrifice national interests to personal advantage. (\ul Hos_5:10-11\ulnone ).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 5:15\cf5 ) I will go \i and\i0 return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 33.\tab Until they acknowledged their offense they would not be found of God. Then God said He would return to His place until we seek Him when we realize in our affliction we need Him. (Hos 5:15)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 6:6\cf5 ) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 34.\tab Some people stress God's love to the exclusion of His holiness, while others stress God's holiness to the exclusion of His love. (Hos 6:6)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 7:8)\cf0 \cf5 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\par 35.\tab Ephraim was like a cake not turned. They were well established politically, but worthless spiritually. In like manner Jesus said we were not to be lukewarm (Hos 7:8; Rev 3:16).\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 11:1)\cf0 \cf5 When Israel \i was\i0 a child, then I loved him, and called my son outLVALI of Egypt.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 36.\tab Echoes of the prophet are found in the New Testament. \ul Hos_11:1\ulnone in \ul Mat_2:15\ulnone ; \ul Hos_10:8\ulnone in \ul Luk_23:30\ulnone ; \ul Hos_2:23\ulnone in \ul 1Pe_2:10\ulnone ; \ul Hos_6:6\ulnone in \ul Mat_9:13\ulnone ; \ul Mat_12:7\par \par \pard\cf4\ulnone (Hos 11:4\cf5 ) I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 37.\tab The Spirit of God drew Gomer unto Hosea. The Spirit of God is drawing us near unto Him. (Hos 11:4)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 11:7)\cf0 \cf5 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt \i him\i0 .\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 38.\tab Hosea sheds much light on the possibilities of restoring a backslider (Hos 11:7)\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 11:8)\cf0 \cf5 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? \i how\i0 shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? \i how\i0 shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 39.\tab \ul Hos_11:8\ulnone shows us about the effect of Israel's sin upon God.\par \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 12:6)\cf0 \cf5 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.\par \cf0\par 40.\tab Two principles Hosea called his nation to live by was mercy and judgment. Today\rquote s church must live by both principles as well. (Hosea 12:6)\par \par \cf4 (Hos 13:3)\cf0 \cf5 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff \i that\i0 is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 41.\tab The Israelites will be like a morning cloud and dew because of their whoring they will quickly pass away (Hosea 13:3). In their own strength they are weak.\pa LVAL r \par \pard\cf4 (Hos 14:8)\cf0 \cf5 Ephraim \i shall say\i0 , What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard \i him\i0 , and observed him: I \i am\i0 like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360 42.\tab When we feel weak, confused, or burdened with guilt we must remember God cares for us continually. His mercies never fail. When everyone deserts us, God is there. His mercies never fail. (Hosea 14:8)\par \pard\par \cf1\b\par \cf3\b0\fs29\par } LVALJK{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue255;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\f0\fs28 SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF JOEL\par Worst plague of locusts in 200 years (\cf2\ul Joe_1:1-4\cf1\ulnone )\par Affects Temple worship\par What should be done? Repent, fast \cf2\ul Joe_1:13-14\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joe_2:12-18\cf1\ulnone\par Then God will restore what was lost (\cf2\ul Joe_2:25-26\cf1\ulnone )\par \b Afterward\b0 (after restoration) (\cf2\ul Joe_2:27-28\cf1\ulnone ) His Spirit will be poured out\par But \b before\b0 that day comes tribulation (\cf2\ul Joe_2:30-31\cf1\ulnone )\par \b In those same days\b0 and before the Spirit is poured out, He will gather all nations to Jerusalem (\cf2\ul Joe_3:1-2\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Zec_12:8-9\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mat_25:31-34\cf1\ulnone ). \par Joel then describes the campaign of Armageddon (\cf2\ul Joe_3:9-14; Joe_3:15-16\cf1\ulnone ) and the reign of Christ that follows (\cf2\ul Joe_3:17-21\cf1\ulnone )\par \par App 1 God can restore the worst conditions\par Similar to Judges\par \par App 2 There is a way to have revival \cf2\ul Joe_2:12\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hab_3:2\cf1\ulnone\par App 3 Joel's emphasis on receiving the Spirit is without discrimination\par Isa is tongues\par Eze is new heart\par Jere is knowledge\par \par App 4 Prophetic focus is on the reign of Christ\par App 5 God's word to us should be more precious than gold\par \par (\cf2\ul Joe_1:1\cf1\ulnone )\cf0 \cf3 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.\par \cf0\par Joel received the message from God and wrote it down. Why do we have that word today?\par \cf4\b 1. When God gives us His Word our attitude should be the same as the prophets. God gave them His word and they wrote it down.\par \ul Psa_19:7-11\ulnone More precioLVALLus than gold. \par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:2)\cf0 \cf3 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?\par \cf0\par Most likely, how old would these old men be? How much further back would be the days of their fathers? \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 2.\tab\cf5 Something should happen\cf4 \cf5 in your generation that is unique\cf4 and proves God to you, whether something that speaks of judgment like this in Joel, or something that speaks of good things like the stones of the Jordan. (\ul Joe_1:2\ulnone ).\par \pard\cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:3)\cf0 \cf3 Tell ye your children of it, and \i let\i0 your children \i tell\i0 their children, and their children another generation.\par \cf0\par We went back in history at least 100 years in \cf2\ul Joe_1:2\cf0\ulnone , now we look into the future. How long will it be before the Great grandchildren will hear of this? Then add their 70 years and we have at least a hundred years into the future, so this locust plague would be the worst in 200 years. \par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 3.\tab Fathers should insure their children are trained in the way they should go, by explaining God\rquote s ways in working with circumstances in life. (\ul Joe_1:3\ulnone ; \ul Pro_22:6; Rom_8:28-29\ulnone ). \par \par \par 4.\tab\cf5 It is important to pass on traditions and memorials. \cf4 They are lessons \cf0\b0 from the past and show the value of knowing history (\cf2\ul Joe_1:3\cf0\ulnone ). MSG \cf4 Don\rquote t let this message die out \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:2\cf4\ulnone\par \pard\b We all should have memorials in our lives that we can pass on to our children. What can you pass on to yours? What is the difference in the man of the world passing on these traditions, and the Christian? He merely passes on history but you pass on a testimony of how God brought you out.\par \par Where were you when the twin towers were hit on 9/11\par \par What are other memorials God has told HiLVALMs people to pass on? (\ul Jos_4:21-22; 1Sa_7:12\ulnone )\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:4)\cf0 \cf3 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf5\b Things got progressively worse before the reward.\cf0\b0 Who else in the Bible had things go progressively worse until he had nothing? (\cf2\ul Job_1:13-19\cf0\ulnone ) Have you ever experienced a time when things kept getting worse? Look at what happened to the people in New Orleans with Katrina and Rita. \par \par \cf4\b 5.\tab\cf5 There is no stopping God when He does things. \cf4 Here what happened was for their destruction, but it can also be for good. (\ul Joe_1:4; \cf2\b0 Mal_1:4; Rev_3:7\cf4\ulnone\b )\par \pard\cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:5)\cf0 \cf3 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.\par \cf0\par How is this locust plague going to affect the drunkards?\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 6.\tab\cf5 There have to be readjustments in life.\cf4 Regardless of our rank or occupation we all find ourselves having to adjust to the circumstances of life. (\ul Joe_1:5\ulnone )\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\li720 In whatever state we find ourselves we can be content. Disasters that disturb the natural order fall heavily upon those who depend on luxury. For the intemperate to find themselves without wine; for the rich to find themselves without money, or with money that has become worthless; for the powerful to find themselves suddenly deprived of power: such are the violent readjustments to which men must accommodate themselves.\par \pard\fi-360\li720\par \cf4\b 7.\tab\cf5 In some ways both the wicked and the good suffer or enjoy things alike.\cf4 \cf0\b0 This is exemplified in the drunkards and the preachers (\cf2\ul Joe_1:5\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Joe_1:9\cf0\ulnone ) Paul was in sLVALNhipwreck suffering other people's sowing. End is different (\cf2\ul Psa_73:14-17\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\li720 The prophet begins with luxuries and ends in necessities: The drunkard, who is known for his song and raucous laughter, is to weep, because his delightsome vine has been destroyed by the locust plague. He is used to neither awakening or weeping. He is drowsy and jolly.\par \par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:6)\cf0 \cf3 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth \i are\i0 the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.\par \cf0\par \pard\li720 Notice God calls this locust plague a nation and compares them to lions. \par \cf5\b God's armies are from His creation\cf0\b0\par \cf4\b What armies did God use to come against Pharaoh?\par Stopped Nebuchadnezzar by taking drop of iodine\par \cf0\b0 These locusts represented real nations also that would come upon Judah such as the Assyrians and Babylonians.\par \par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:7)\cf0 \cf3 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast \i it\i0 away; the branches thereof are made white.\par \cf0\par \pard\li720\cf4\b Notice God calls Israel \ldblquote My vine,\rdblquote as He called Canaan \ldblquote My land,\rdblquote before. \cf0\b0 Though Israel has been idolatrous and failed Him, He still calls them His own. How could we relate that to Hosea?\par \par Throughout the OT we find God destroying His people Israel with plagues, sword, fire and famine. Why would He allow property of His people to be destroyed? (\cf2\ul Jer_29:11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Job_42:12\cf0\ulnone ) \par \cf5\b We are stewards of God's possessions (\ul Gen_1:28-30\ulnone )\par \pard\cf1\b0 (Joe 1:8)\cf0 \cf3 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.\par \cf0\par \cf4\b This should be our attitude to the effects of sin in our world.\par \pard\li720\cf0\b0 How would such a lady react who lost her husband before the marriage was eveLVALOn complete? Why is God asking His people to have this same attitude? Not because of the loss of property but because of the effect it has on your worship?\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720 8.\tab Notice that Joel exemplifies the extremity of this case by comparing it to the virgin who lost her husband before they consummated the marriage. \cf5\b Any loss caused by God should be taken seriously. (\ul Joe_1:8; \cf2\b0 Gen_45:5-8; Hag_1:9\cf4\ulnone\b )\par \pard\li720\cf0\b0\par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:9)\cf0 \cf3 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.\par \cf0\par \pard\li720 Everyone in society has been affected by this locust plague from the lowest (drunks) to the highest (priests). What example have we just seen of a natural disaster affecting everyone? What is the difference in the final results of the saved and the lost when this disaster hits?\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 9.\tab\cf5 The church is forced to identify itself with the nation in time of judgment.\cf4 Daniel (\cf2\ul\b0 Dan_9:5-9\cf4\ulnone\b ) and Nehemiah (\cf2\ul\b0 Neh_1:6-7\cf4\ulnone\b ) exemplify this. (\ul Joe_1:9\ulnone ) How can we \cf0\b0 as Christians show our compassion during this time? How does this catastrophe give us an opportunity to show what a real Christian is?\par \par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:10)\cf0 \cf3 The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf5\b 10.\tab We should remember that it is God who is our source of life. \cf4 (\ul Joe_1:10\ulnone ; \cf2\ul\b0 Psa_104:27-30\cf0\ulnone ) Joel told us at the beginning to teach our children from this catastrophe. How could we teach our children that God is the source of life from the locust plague? Will we tell them how terrible God is to take away our hard-earned harvest, or will we tell them to watch and see how God now restores all this and gives us even more? \par \pard\cf6\b wheaLVALPt crops in ND hailed out\line\cf1\b0 (Joe 1:11)\cf0 \cf3 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.\par \cf0\par \pard\li720\cf4\b A word easier for us to understand would be \ldblquote Be disappointed.\rdblquote Farmers like to boast in their crops, but they now have nothing to boast about. \cf5 What does the Bible tell us to boast in? (\ul Jer_9:23-24\ulnone )\cf7 \cf4 When you let God \cf0\b0 be your employer and the crop fails you can rest assured He is going to bring you out of it. So you have nothing to worry about. You can still rejoice. In fact that is what Joe 2 is about, how God restores what has been destroyed. What happened when Joseph made God his employer?\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720 11.\tab The best way to escape shame \{frustration, disappointment, confusion\emdash confound\} is to boast in the right thing. The right thing to boast in are the things of God. (\cf2\ul Joe_1:11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_9:23-24\cf0\ulnone )\par \par 12. Our attitude toward the world\rquote s loss should be compassion, yet remember with sobriety that God always does the right thing and for the right purpose. (\cf2\ul Joe_1:11\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:12)\cf0 \cf3 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, \i even\i0 all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720 13.\tab In order to bring joy into their lives, Israel read and obeyed the word of God. After they repented, Nehemiah told them to have a time of celebration for the joy of the Lord is our strength. \cf4\b Joy will come into our lives when we are acceptable to God\par (\ul Neh_8:10).\ulnone (\ul Joe_1:13\ulnone )\par \pard\cf1\b0 (Jam 1:2)\cf0 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;\par \par \cf1 (Joe 1:13)\cf0 \cf3 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye pLVALQriests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf5\b 14. The minister is to take the first step for he is a leader. \cf4 He is to be an \cf0\b0 example to the flock. (\cf2\ul Joe_1:13\cf0\ulnone ) Why did he ask the priests to take the first step? (\cf2\ul 1Pe_5:2-3; Eze_9:6; Luk_12:48; Heb_13:17\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:14)\cf0 \cf3 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders \i and\i0 all the inhabitants of the land \i into\i0 the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720 This was their answer to the dilemma. What connection should I see between their response to this locust plague and Hurricane Katrina?\par \par \cf5\b 15.\tab Learn the right way to fast. (\ul Joe_1:14\ulnone ; \ul Isa_58:3-11\ulnone )\par \cf4 16.\tab Fasting and repentance should be done in such a way that it affect God\rquote s attitude toward us. (\ul Joe_1:14\ulnone )\par \par \cf0\b0 17.\tab Fellowship in working out problems is as important as fellowship in worship (\cf2\ul Joe_1:14\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \cf5\b 18.\tab Prayer is to be in earnestness and wholeheartedly (\ul Joe_\cf4 1:14\ulnone )\line\cf0\b0\par \pard\cf1 (Joe 1:15)\cf0 \cf3 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD \i is\i0 at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 19.\tab\cf5 God is going to have His day whatever anyone may say or do. \cf4 There \cf0\b0 are many Bible examples that God\rquote s promises are true (\cf2\ul Joe_1:15\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par Notice the day of the Lord is a day of destruction from the Almighty (\cf2\ul Isa_13:6-16\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\par \cf1 (Joe 1:16)\cf0 \cf3 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, \i yea\i0 , joy and gladness from the house of our God?\par \par \cf0 This is a time of celebrationLVALR and now there is nothing to celebrate. \par \par \cf1 (Joe 1:17)\cf0 \cf3 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:18)\cf0 \cf3 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.\par \par \cf0 God has connected the animal world with our blessing and curse. (\cf2\ul Rom_8:19-23\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_11:6-8\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_67:6\cf0\ulnone ). \par \par \cf1 (Joe 1:19)\cf0 \cf3 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Joe 1:20)\cf0 \cf3 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:1)\cf0 \cf3 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for \i it is\i0 nigh at hand;\par \par \cf0 This first trumpet is to go into war. The next one (\cf2\ul Joe_2:15\cf0\ulnone ) will be to call the solemn assembly for seeking God for a solution to their problems. The Day of the Lord is about to begin and the greatest battles the world has ever seen will be fought as the Great Tribulation begins.\par \par \cf5\b 20. God is at war with sin and the calamities that come upon the world \cf4 are because of this spiritual warfare (\ul Isa_45:7\ulnone ; \ul Amo_3:6\ulnone ). That is what this locust plague was for.\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:2)\cf0 \cf3 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, \i even\i0 to the years of many generations.\par \par \cf0 The battles fought during the Great TLVALSribulation will be the most devastating the world has ever seen. This is from Jehovah Himself and is described in detail in the book of Revelation.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:3)\cf0 \cf3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land \i is\i0 as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.\par \par \cf0 Just like the army of locusts that Jehovah brought upon the land that left everything desolate, so the armies of the Day of the Lord come and where there is prosperity before them like the Garden of Eden, it will be totally desolate when it is over.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:4)\cf0 \cf3 The appearance of them \i is\i0 as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.\par \par \cf0 The head of the locusts appear like those of a horse and there were horsemen mentioned in the book of Revelation as part of the destruction that will come upon the land (\cf2\ul Rev_9:3-4\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:5)\cf0 \cf3 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.\par \par \cf0 A hoard of locusts does make a great noise that resembles rushing water and fire burning up some large edifice. They are typical of the noise of the great armies that will be arrayed in the last days one against another.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:6)\cf0 \cf3 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.\par \par \cf0 The locust plague leaves the people in a universal mourning for they know from experiences of the past that nothing will be spared and they become stupefied without the energy or courage to resist. \par \par \cf1 (\cf2\ul Joe_2:7-10\cf1\ulnone )\cf0 \cf3 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:\par \par \cf0 This describes well the cLVALTustoms of the locusts which climb over every obstacle and do not break ranks even when those before and behind are trampled. This would then also be typical of the army of men that will come in the last days against His people.\par \cf3\par \pard\li360\cf5\b 21. These locusts teach us many lessons of the Christian life (\cf2\ul\b0 SEE LESSONS FROM NATURE \cf5\ulnone\b ) unity, cooperation, steadfastness, commitment, overcome every obstacle, organization\par \pard\cf8\b0\fs29 They are very bold and daring.\par They are very regular, and keep ranks in their march. \par Keep their post and observe their right-hand man.\par Go into water and make a bridge for others to pass over. (give life for others)\par Well organized without a leader (\cf2\ul Pro_30:27\cf8\ulnone )\cf0\fs28\par \cf1 (Joe 2:8)\cf0 \cf3 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and \i when\i0 they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.\par \par \cf0 Locusts have no great strength or ability individually. Their power lies in their multitude. They do not have to thrust at anything nor do they push each other, and their falling upon a sword is not damaging to them. That part would be somewhat different in the armies that these typify.\par \cf8\fs23\par \b\fs20 [SERMON TITLE: ORDER IS HEAVEN'S FIRST ORDER]\b0\fs23\par \cf3\fs28\par \cf5\b 22. What is the value of order and harmony in the church? Notice that \cf4 order reigns throughout God\rquote s universe. How do we know God is a God of order? (\ul Act_5:11-16\ulnone )\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:9)\cf0 \cf3 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.\par \par \cf0 Every opening will be found by the locusts for they are so many. The only way to keep them out is to barricade the place with boards or material that they cannot break through. \par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:10)\cf0 \cf3 The earth shall quake before them; the hLVALUeavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:\par \par \cf0 The locusts come in such huge hoards that it does blot out the sun, and though the earth may not be literally shaken by them, in a spiritual sense it certainly is.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:11)\cf0 \cf3 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp \i is\i0 very great: for \i he is\i0 strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD \i is\i0 great and very terrible; and who can abide it?\par \par \cf0 Whether His army be frogs and lice sent to Pharaoh, or these locusts sent against Israel, they are effective and accomplish His design. The armies He will send in the last days will be of men and they will destroy the sinners out of the world (\cf2\ul Isa_13:9\cf0\ulnone ). None can abide the Day of the Lord when He rises to shake terribly the earth (\cf2\ul Hag_2:7\cf8\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_2:19-21; Heb_12:25-28\cf0\ulnone ).\par \cf8\fs23\par \b\fs20 [SERMON TITLE: HE IS STRONG WHO EXECUTES GOD'S WORD]\b0\fs23\par \cf3\fs28\par \cf4\b Who did he say was \cf5 the strong one\cf4 ? With all these calamities upon the land the person who is strong is the one who executes God\rquote s word. All others are devastated, wiped out. The \cf5 one who keeps God\rquote s word \cf4 is the only one who can abide the day of the Lord, men like Daniel and Ezekiel.\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:12)\cf0 \cf3 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye \i even\i0 to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:\par \cf0\par \cf4\b (Joe 2:12) Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and \cf5 keep on coming to Me with all your heart, \cf4 with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [\i until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored\i0 ]. Amp\par \cf0\b0\par Here begins the secret to revival and restoration from the chastisements of the Lord. Repent and begin a time of fasting and prayer.\par \cf8\fs23\par \b\fsLVALV20 [SERMON TITLE: TRUE REPENTANCE]\b0\fs23\par \cf0\fs28\par \cf5\b 23. What is the secret of revival? (\ul Hab_3:2\ulnone )\par \cf0\b0 What should be the attitude of someone desiring revival? Immediate, sincere, sorrowful for sin, inward examination\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:13)\cf0 \cf3 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he \i is\i0 gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.\par \par \cf0 They were accustomed to rending their garments as a sign of great contrition and grief. The Lord lets them know that their mourning should go beyond those outward symbols. It must be a broken and contrite heart that in the sight of the Lord is of great price. He loves to hear the cry of those who seriously repent and so He will be waiting with mercy and grace to come to their rescue.\par \par We know that he does not mean to literally tear your heart out so what does he mean? (\cf2\ul Rom_8:26\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:14)\cf0 \cf3 Who knoweth \i if\i0 he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; \i even\i0 a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?\par \par \cf0 It would be a very desperate case for Jehovah to refuse such a show of repentance. He loves to leave a blessing and judgment is His strange work. \par \par Some things are absolute with God and others are conditional. \par \cf2\ul Exo_32:30\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jos_14:12\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Sa_6:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Sa_12:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ki_19:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_5:15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jon_1:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jon_3:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Zep_2:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 2Ti_2:25\cf0\ulnone . Can\cf5 \b God be influenced by our prayers?\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:15)\cf0 \cf3 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:\par \par \cf0 This second trumpet blowing is to gather the people together for seeking God for a solution to their dilemma. This is tLVALWhe proper method of obtaining His grace. \par \par How would we apply blowing the trumpet to our ministry today?\fs24 \fs28\par \cf5\b The Church needs an awakening ministry\par \cf0\b0\par \cf4\b 24. If we take these steps of fasting and prayer we may be assured of revival. (\ul Joe_1:13-14\ulnone ; \ul Joe_2:15-17\ulnone )\ul\par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf5\ulnone 25.\tab Joel shows the value of self-examination (\ul Joe_1:1-2\ulnone ; \ul Joe_\cf4 1:13-14\ulnone ; \ul Joe_2:15-17\ulnone ) Why does God have to prod us to self-examination? Why would self-examination be valuable? \cf2\ul\b0 2Co_13:5\cf4\ulnone\b\par \cf0\b0\par \cf4\b 26. Men ought to discuss circumstances of life in relation to their spiritual condition. That is the reason God asks questions. We should consider \cf0\b0 what has influenced us and why. There is an indictment against those who do not sigh and cry (\cf2\ul Eze_9:4\cf0\ulnone ). (\cf2\ul Pro_3:6\cf0\ulnone ) \ldblquote In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your steps\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Luk_10:2\cf0\ulnone ) He wants you to have His concern.\par \pard\par \cf1 (Joe 2:16)\cf0 \cf3 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.\par \par \cf4\b This calamity was so great that none should be left out of the restoration process. Even the children, though infants should participate. The newly \cf0\b0 married should lay aside their honey moon for the time being, this is so momentous. \par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf4\b 27.\tab\cf5 Joel shows that all things important to us are to be put aside in order to see revival (\ul Joe_2:16\ulnone )\par \pard\cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:17)\cf0 \cf3 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore shLVALXould they say among the people, Where \i is\i0 their God?\par \par \cf5\b 28. The ones who are really responsible for revival would be the priests \cf4 for they are the mediators between God and man. They would officiate in this operation, and begin the prayers to seek the grace of God.\par \cf0\b0\par \cf1 (Joe 2:18\cf3 ) Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.\par \par \cf5\b 29. As soon as God sees this sign of repentance from His people He will \cf4 begin the healing process. That was true in Joel\rquote s day and it will be true in the final day when His people turn once again to Him in humility and repentance.\par \cf0\b0\par He is merciful, and delights in mercy. Yet this attribute can be exercised only upon certain conditions, only towards those in a certain attitude of heart. What is that attitude? Penitence: humiliation, contrition, entreaty, on the part of Judah, account for the exercise of compassion on the part of God.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:19)\cf0 \cf3 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:\par \par \cf0 When the people prayed in Joel\rquote s day the Lord answered by restoring those things that had been lost through the locust plague. Notice, however, that there is a promise here that was not fulfilled in Joel\rquote s day. He promised that He would never again make them a reproach among the nations. They are still a reproach to this day and thus we know this is looking forth to a future fulfillment.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\cf5\b 30.\tab Night comes before morning (\cf2\ul\b0 Joe_2:2\cf5\ulnone\b ). The Psalmist said Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (\ul Psa_30:5\ulnone ). We are to expect the life cycles of loss and gain.\par \pard\cf0\b0 (\cf2\ul 1Pe_1:11\cf0\ulnone )\par \pard\fi-360\li720\par \cf4\b 31.\tab Joel depicts the fact that regardless how bad cLVALYonditions may get, God can restore the penitent (\cf2\ul\b0 Joe_2:25\cf4\ulnone\b ).\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\li720 The worst locust plague in over 200 years caused many years of devastation.\par \pard\fi-360\li720\par \pard\li1080\b\fs20 [SEE WHAT THE GAZEM LEFT \cf2\ul Joe_1:4\cf0\ulnone ]\b0\fs28\par \par \pard\li720 Yet in only one Springtime God restored all that had been destroyed.\par \pard\par \cf1 (Joe 2:20)\cf0 \cf3 But I will remove far off from you the northern \i army\i0 , and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.\par \cf0\par The Lord drove away the locust plague so that they were no longer a threat to the people. However, He is also looking to the future fulfillment when the northern armies of men will also be turned back.\par \cf8\fs23\par \i\fs28 The Divine attitude towards repentant souls\par \cf4\b Repentance does not always heal the pain of sin. It does not erase sad memories. It does not always restore a wasted bodily constitution. It does not always bring back the substance wasted in the far country.\i0 (J. S. Exell) But it does take away the eternal consequences of sin.\fs23\par \fs28\par \cf1\b0 (Joe 2:21)\cf0 \cf3 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.\par \cf0\par This is His holy land, His sanctuary, and He will restore all that has been lost upon it. They should not be afraid, but trust in Jehovah who has kept all His promises. \par \cf8\fs23\par \cf4\b\fs20 [SERMON TITLE: THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS]\fs23\par \cf0\b0\fs28\par \cf1 (Joe 2:22)\cf0 \cf3 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.\par \cf0\par Even the animals will enjoy the restoration for now they can eat in plenty again. Isaiah speaks of tLVALZheir nature even changing when the final restoration comes. All the fruit trees will bear their produce without fail.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:23)\cf0 \cf3 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first \i month\i0 .\par \cf0\par When these rains were restored in Joel\rquote s day the land began to respond and new life came to the people. In the future day the rains will again trigger a time of restoration that will begin the Messianic age.\par \par \cf1 (\cf2\ul Joe_2:24\cf1\ulnone )\cf0 \cf3 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.\par \cf0\par When the curse of locust plague was over the land began to produce abundantly, and when the curse of Adam is removed from the earth the land will again produce profusely worldwide. There will never again be a lack of resources.\par \par \cf4\b\i The swarming locusts remind us of the enormity of evil. Evil envelops us, attacks us, torments us on every side. You may crush a locust, you may crush a score, you may crush a thousand, it makes no appreciable difference, myriads more crowd in hungrily, and give you the sense of hopelessness. So the evils that afflict the world are manifold, and it seems useless to resist them; practically they are infinite and overwhelming. \par \cf0\b0\par According to the theory of some scientists, the stronger animals invariably destroy the weaker, but, if that be so, how is it that these awful primeval monsters, all teeth and claws, did not take possession of the earth and keep possession? It is certain that they did not; paleontology answers us that the best armed species are those which have almost always disappeared. There were laws and forces which hedged in the wildest elements, and gave security and permanence to the weaker but nobler races. And we to-day see the same restraints put upon the noxious LVAL[things of nature. The naturalist makes this clear. In New Guinea is a venomous bird known as the "Bird of Death." Its bite causes excruciating pain, blindness, and lockjaw. No person bitten by it, it is asserted, has recovered, and death comes within a few hours. How is it that this bird of bad omen has not multiplied and taken possession of the forests? How is it that the birds of Paradise manage to survive by its side? Or, to come nearer home, how is it that the hawk does not exterminate the sweet singers of our woods? The "devil plant" of the Mississippi is most fatal; it kills insects and cattle, and rich meadow lands shrivel at its insidious approach as if they had been touched with fire. How is it that the infernal thing remains within certain regions? In Nicaragua is the "vampire vine," which seems literally to drain the blood of every living-thing, which comes within its death-dealing touch. How is it that this vampire vine does not prevail, and drive out the vine whose purple clusters make glad the heart of man? One of the old kings had a garden planted solely with poison flowers; how is it that the whole earth has not become such a garden? The fact is, there is a vigilant, benign law, a balance of nature, which keeps these formidable growths within limit beyond which they cannot pass, and, instead of sickly colors, vile odors, and deadly poisons dominating the panorama, the landscape is full of loveliness, fragrance, and health. The octopus, the alligator, the shark threaten the seas, but the same law prevails there that prevails on the land, shielding whatsoever passes through the depth of the seas. And the physiologist tells us the same story. One would expect that diseases of the blood and brain would be transmitted from one generation to another, until the whole race would become infected, and the earth degenerate into a lazar house; but the physiologist answers us that there is "a limit to the transmission of abnormal characteristics." And if you look into history you are taught exactlyLVAL\ the same lesson. The Pharaohs, the Neros, the Attilas, the Mahomets, the Tamerlanes, the Alvas, the Napoleons now and again threaten civilization; it lies helpless and bleeding at their feet; but the historian shows that there is always a rock on which their Armadas suffer shipwreck, a Moscow in which their armies perish. And it is thus to-day in this world of ours. All about us are horrible things, infectious literature, vile institutions, degrading practices, which threaten the very life of the nation. And prowling around are thousands of selfish, cruel monsters, ready to prey on their helpless fellows. It is a mystery that they do not eat us up. But they do not. Just as there is a secret law circumscribing the shark, the vampire, the corpse plant, the upas, so God's eye is upon the drinking-saloon, the infamous press, the gambling club, the camera obscura of lust, the prize ring, the opium den, and all the rest of the terrible things which menace civilization, and the proud, raging waves of hell foaming out their own shame are broken on unseen, mystic sands which God has fixed as the bounds over which they may not pass. He limits one bad thing by another bad thing; He limits one bad thing by a thing less bad; He limits all bad things by the golden ring of His perfect sovereign government.\par \i0 (W. L. Watkinson: Biblical Illustrator)\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:25)\cf0 \cf3 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.\par \cf0\par \pard\qc\b RESTORATION DAYS\par \pard\b0 (\cf2\ul Joe_2:25\cf0\ulnone ) \par \cf8\b\fs20 GOD OF RESTORATION \cf2\ul Eze_37:1\cf8\ulnone\par TOTAL RESTORATION \cf2\ul Mar_5:1\par \b0\fs23\par \cf0\ulnone\fs28 Notice that this plague lasted for years and was not just one that came during a certain year. Everything that had been lost will be restored as the vegetation again produces, looking forward to the final restoration days in the end of the age.\pLVAL]ar \par Restoration of what has been destroyed. Early church had miracles: healing, spiritual power (\cf2\ul Mar_16:15-20\cf0\ulnone ). They laid hands on men and they received the Holy Ghost (\cf2\ul Act_19:6\cf0\ulnone ). They preached to them and they received it (\cf2\ul Act_10:44-48\cf0\ulnone ). They received it standing, sitting, and with no tarrying.\par \par Every revival God has led men as far as He could, until they became satisfied! The Montanists, the Hugenots, Luther, the Anabaptists, the Great awakening, the Wesleys, the revival of 1900.\par \par Thus we have been left with a world of spiritual babies--weaklings, powerless Christians who are sick of sin but cannot stop. They are tired, depressed, bored, and cannot rise above themselves. They are depending upon tranquilizers to do what God's Spirit ought to do for them.\par \par The Federal Investigation Committee to see how the Holy Spirit was having such fantastic results (83% compared with 2%) in curing drug addiction.\par \par Either the book of Acts is a hoax or the modern church lacks a vital element in its ranks. They saw things happen we do not: lame man at the gate beautiful, handkerchiefs, shadow of Peter, 3000 empowered at once, \cf2\ul Gal_2:20\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rom_8:1-10\cf0\ulnone .\par \par The Bible promises joy, peace, happiness, satisfaction. If you have not received that you have not received what the first church had.\par \par People are going through states of spiritual confusion today. Trying groups of all kinds without finding spiritual satisfaction. Having trouble separating themselves from the world.\par \par Now are the days of glorious, victorious revival. Jesus name, Holy Ghost revival, blood bought, heaven sent revival, Pentecostal, end time revival. (Sister Johnson [heart], woman in Hicks church)\par \par Flames of faith have been fanned to a white heat intensity, charging the atmosphere with the supernatural presence of God. There is a widespread desire for Bible study! LVAL^ Rusty Capps, couple in the park near Ashland, Mary and Sally.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:26)\cf0 \cf3 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.\par \cf0\par When this was fulfilled the first time in the days of Joel there is a part that was not fulfilled to them. He promised that when the Lord restores these things \i\ldblquote My people shall never be ashamed.\rdblquote\i0 Their days of shame and disappointment would be over. That part remains for a future time. At the final restoration they will never again be ashamed.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:27)\cf0 \cf3 And ye shall know that I \i am\i0 in the midst of Israel, and \i that\i0 I \i am\i0 the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.\par \cf0\par At that final restoration Jehovah will dwell in the midst of His people as promised over and over by the prophets. \cf4\b He will truly be Emmanuel. \cf0\b0 When that time comes His people will never be ashamed again. He has repeated this promise and it is sure. He had said they would never be a reproach (\cf2\ul Joe_2:19\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 2:28)\cf0 \cf3 And it shall come to pass afterward, \i that\i0 I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:\par \par \cf8\b\fs20 SEE RESTORATION DAYS \cf2\ul Joe_2:25\cf8\ulnone\par \b0\fs23\par \cf0\fs28 Notice the wording here. He speaks here of pouring out His Spirit. When will that happen? It will come to pass \ul\b\i afterward\ulnone\b0\i0 . It will be after the restoration of His people and they are never ashamed anymore. \par \par On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted this promise from Joel except he said, \i\ldblquote It shall come to pass in the last days.\rdblquote \i0 He is correct that it will be in the last days, and a day that had not yet arrived. Then he sLVAL_aid that \i\ldblquote This is that prophesied by the prophet Joel.\rdblquote \i0 He did not say this is a final fulfillment of that day. He said this you see is the same thing Joel spoke of. The Spirit that was poured out on that day was the same Spirit that will be poured out when His people are no longer ashamed. That is just like the rain we see today. I could say \ldblquote This [rain] is that which was spoken to Noah,\rdblquote that a flood will come upon the world. We see the same phenomena of rain but it is not the same one that flooded the world. \par \cf8\fs23\par \i\fs28 The time. "Afterward." "In those days." To what time does this refer? To the days of the prophet? To the era of the law? Or, to the time when the promised Messiah should come? This outpouring of the Spirit seems to be connected by the prophet with the secular prosperity of which he had been speaking. He probably did not know the time to which his words had reference; but if it was in the future it was as real to his faith as the present to his sight. This promise no doubt had reference to the Messianic age, though Joel may not have been cognizant of the fact. It was not fulfilled at Bethlehem, nor in Gethsemane, nor at Calvary, nor at Olivet. It was still "afterward." It was partially accomplished at Pentecost (\cf2\ul\i0 Act_2:17\cf8\ulnone\i ), though there was concealed in it a deeper meaning than even Pentecost could impart, the entire significance of which we are as yet ignorant. We live in this afterward of time, and know its meaning, as did not the prophets of old; but the afterward of the kingdom of heaven has yet to evolve the universal reign of the Spirit of God. \i0 (J.S. Exell)\fs23\par \cf0\fs28\par \cf1 (Joe 2:29)\cf0 \cf3 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.\par \cf0\par \cf4\b Every rank of people will have the Spirit in that day, the officials and the \cf0\b0 servants. It is my personal opinion that every person alive will have the Spirit durinLVAL`g the messianic age to fulfill this scripture. \par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:30)\cf0 \cf3 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.\par \cf0\par This part will be in the Great Tribulation period that precedes the outpouring of His Spirit. He has given us a chronology up this point and now goes back to a period before the Spirit is outpoured.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 2:31)\cf0 \cf3 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.\par \cf0\par He tells us here that this will happen \b before\b0 the Day of the Lord. This will be the Great Tribulation prophesied by all the prophets and it must come first, then when the devastation is over He will restore all that the locusts have eaten and it will come to pass afterward that He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 2:32)\cf0 \cf3 And it shall come to pass, \i that\i0 whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.\par \cf0\par At that time everyone who calls upon His name will be delivered. It matters not the case nor the problem. He will deliver everyone that calls upon Him, and Isaiah says He will do so even before they call (\cf2\ul Isa_65:24\cf0\ulnone ). This has never happened yet but it will come to pass when the Messiah comes to reign. This is when the remnant is saved whom the Lord shall call. \par \pard\fi-360\li720\par \pard\cf1 (Joe 3:1)\cf0 \cf3 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,\par \cf0\par Notice that he again sets a time. The Spirit is to be poured out when all things are restored and His people are never ashamed again, and now when this restoration takes place and He brings again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, He will gather all nations to battle.\pLVALaar \par \cf1 (Joe 3:2)\cf0 \cf3 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and \i for\i0 my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.\par \cf0\par It is important to keep in mind the time of this prophecy. It is when He restores Judah and Jerusalem. At that time He will gather all nations as He said when He was here (\cf2\ul Mat_25:31-32\cf0\ulnone ). He will then separate the sheep from the goats, those who were good to Israel from those who were opposed.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:3)\cf0 \cf3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.\par \cf0\par This is just a sample of the mistreatment that was given to the Jews by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Since those captivities they have been scattered throughout the world and mistreated by many other nations ever since.\par \par This is the only place in the King James Version of the Bible you will find the word \i girl\i0 (\cf2\ul Mar_5:27\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:4)\cf0 \cf3 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly \i and\i0 speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;\par \cf0\par All of these neighboring nations of Israel were against Israel at the time of their captivity and most have been destroyed since that time. The places will be the same but some of the names will be different at the final fulfillment of this prophecy.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:5)\cf0 \cf3 Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:\par \cf0\par This was not done by Tyre and Sidon, or the nations along the coast, but by the Babylonians. Then it was brought back after the captivity was over. \par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:6)\cf0 \cf3 TLVALbhe children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.\par \par \cf0 God was very interested in His own land and when His people were taken away from it, they were to still be under His control so He sent them to Assyria and Babylon. Many of the other places where they were driven was not where He wanted them so He will take pains to have them returned. \par \cf3\par \cf0 Mention of the Greeks here makes it appear this book was written late.\b\par \cf8\b0\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:7)\cf0 \cf3 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:\par \cf0\par All nations that have misused His people through the years are going to be held responsible and face the grand tribunal of Jehovah. \par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:8)\cf0 \cf3 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken \i it\i0 .\par \cf0\par God has always worked by a law of cause and effect, reaping what was sown, and so those who have mistreated His people will find themselves under similar circumstances. That generation sold Israelites as slaves so people of their own nation will have the same thing happen. That particular thing would not happen in our day for there is no such selling and buying of slaves today. However they will be recompensed according to their treatment of His people.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:9)\cf0 \cf3 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:\par \cf0\par God now prepares to go to battle with the Gentile nations. Zechariah describes these battles and the outcome very well in the last three chapters of his book. \par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:10)\cf0 \cf3 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spearsLVALc: let the weak say, I \i am\i0 strong.\par \cf0\par When the Messianic age begins the opposite to this will happen. They will then beat their swords into plowshares (\cf2\ul Isa_2:1-4\cf0\ulnone ). But this is the Great Tribulation before that reign begins so they will at this time prepare everything for war. The Lord then challenges them to let the weak say they are strong to come against Him in battle. This statement has been taken in the opposite frame of late and a song includes the phrase, \ldblquote Let the weak say \lquote I am strong,\rquote\rdblquote as though the people of God should say that. \par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:11)\cf0 \cf3 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.\par \cf0\par Notice that the first part of this verse tells the nations to come to battle, and then the last part says Jehovah will then come with His mighty ones to fight them. \par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:12\cf3 ) Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.\par \cf0\par This is evidently a part of the battle that takes place near Jerusalem. The nations that come out of the north and called God and Magog will most likely meet in the valley of Megiddo, then this battle will follow, and the last winding up in Edom. This judgment appears to be both this battle and the setting up of the throne afterward in \cf2\ul Mat_25:30-31\cf0\ulnone .\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:13)\cf0 \cf3 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness \i is\i0 great.\par \cf0\par The harvest of the wicked of the whole world has come. This is the final battles against the wicked of this world before the Lord reigns for a thousand years with His people.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:14)\cf0 \cf3 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD \i is\i0LVALd near in the valley of decision.\par \cf0\par The day of decision has finally come for all nations and all individuals. This will determine who continues to live through the millennial reign of Christ, and those who are cast out. This judgment and the Great White Throne judgment will be the final for all the wicked dead.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:15)\cf0 \cf3 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.\par \cf0\par The very heavens will respond during this time of warfare, and is more fully described by John in the Revelation.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:16)\cf0 \cf3 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD \i will be\i0 the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.\par \cf0\par \pard\tx720\cf4\b CHRIST - AS A LION\par \cf0\b0\par \pard\fi-432\li432\tx380 1.\tab A lion is the most terrible of beasts. Others tremble at his roar (\cf2\ul Amo_3:4\cf0\ulnone ). God roars out of Zion (\cf2\ul Joe_3:16\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\tx380\par \pard\fi-432\li432\tx380 2.\tab The lion, when enraged, has a majestic, fierce, and amazing look. The anger of God has not been unleashed as it will at the end of the age.\par \pard\tx380\par \pard\fi-432\li432\tx380 3.\tab None can take the prey from the lion. None can deliver themselves from an angry God. (\cf2\ul Zep_3:8\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_43:13\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\tx380\par \pard\fi-432\li432\tx400 4, The lion is strong and crushes the bones of its victims. He rends the victim in pieces. (\cf2\ul Psa_50:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_13:8\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\tx400\par \pard\fi-432\li432\tx400 5.\tab The lion hardly sleeps, and is alert to the slightest noise when asleep. The Lord that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (\cf2\ul Psa_121:4\cf0\ulnone ).\par \pard\cf8\par \cf0 In the last great battle the Lord is going to descend to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and destroy theLVALe armies gathered Jerusalem (\cf2\ul Zec_14:3-5\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:17)\cf0 \cf3 So shall ye know that I \i am\i0 the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.\par \cf0\par This has never come to pass, so it must be future. Jehovah will come in the body of Jesus Christ, and set up His throne in Mount Zion (\cf2\ul Isa_2:1-4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_11:1-3\cf0\ulnone ). He will cleanse Jerusalem and it will be the holy city He has always wanted. No stranger will pass through her anymore.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:18)\cf0 \cf3 And it shall come to pass in that day, \i that\i0 the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.\par \cf0\par \cf4\b You will remember that Ezekiel described this river that flowed from the throne in the millennial temple (\ul Eze_47:1-5; Eze_47:6-10; Eze_47:11-12; Zec_14:4-5; Zec_14:8-9\ulnone ). Then John described one similar in the New Jerusalem (\ul Rev_22:1-2\ulnone ). This will be a time of prosperity as shown here.\par \fs23\par \cf1\b0\fs28 (Joe 3:19)\cf0 \cf3 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence \i against\i0 the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.\cf0\par \par These were the major countries around Israel that had held such hatred of the Jews, but there were others including the nations that took them captive, Assyria and Babylon. They will all suffer the recompense of their mistreatment of His people.\par \cf8\fs23\par \cf1\fs28 (Joe 3:20)\cf0 \cf3 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.\par \cf0\par The hope of this entire book is that His people will be restored fully and permanently. Regardless how devastating is the plague agains LVAL t them, or the conquering nations against them, they will finally be the victors.\par \par \cf1 (Joe 3:21)\cf0 \cf3 For I will cleanse their blood \i that\i0 I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.\par \cf0\par This has been Israel\rquote s hope since the days of David, that Jehovah would dwell in Zion. When Israel is finally purged of her iniquity and the Lord returns to reign all nations will come to Zion to worship Him. (\cf2\ul Isa_4:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_33:24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Isa_44:22\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_31:34\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_33:8\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_50:20\cf0\ulnone ) \par \cf8\fs23\par \cf0\fs28\par \par \pard\fi-360\li720\par \par \pard\par \par \pard\li720\par \pard\par \par \par \par \cf8\fs29\par \fs29\par } LVAL g{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 MS Sans Serif;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\qc\cf1\lang1033\f0\fs28 WHAT MADE AMOS FAMOUS?\par \pard\par Amos [\i burden-bearer\i0 ] was not a life-time prophet, like Isaiah or Jeremiah. \par He was called for a particular time and mission (\cf2\ul Amo_1:1\cf1\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_7:14-15\cf1\ulnone ). \par In the days of Uzziah 2 years before the earthquake (\cf2\ul Zec_14:5\cf1\ulnone )\par He never went to Prophet's Bible Institute. He did not belong to the professional class of prophets as Isaiah.\par He was a shepherd in Takoa, a city 5 miles south of Bethlehem in Judea and was sent to minister in Israel, north of Judea. This is likely his only prophecy\par \b among the herdsman\b0 in \cf2\ul Amo_1:1\cf1\ulnone \i no-kade\i0 denotes a tender of sheep or cattle. \cf0\kerning28 It seems to refer to a special breed of sheep, somewhat ungainly in appearance but producing, an abundant fleece.\cf1\kerning0\par \b He was a herdsman\b0 in \cf2\ul Amo_7:14\cf1\ulnone \i bo-kare\i0 denotes an owner of sheep\par He was a gatherer \i baw-las\i0 \ul pincher\ulnone of sycamore fruit. \cf0\kerning28 There is reference to a squeezing or nipping of the sycamore fig to make it more palatable and to accelerate its ripening to make it sweeter.\par We know he was a traveler because of his knowledge of the luxuries of city life which were not found where he lived. This was probably from his trading in the sheep markets of the north.\par We know he was poor because of his constant defense of the poor, accusations against oppressors of the poor, and the references to his own life as a poor man.\cf1\kerning0\par FROM TEKOA [SEE \cf2\ul Amo_7:14\cf1\ulnone ]\par To adequately understand Amos you shoLVALhuld know something of the difference between city life and country life.\par \cf0 God aimed His judgment often at the large cities. There are things about city life that makes it more prone to sin than country life.\par \cf1\par \cf0 CITY LIFE \b (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_7:13\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Isa_5:8\cf0\ulnone\b )\b0\par 1. City life breaks down relationships.\par 2. City life destroys responsibility.\par 3. In the city you can hide easier in your sins.\par 4. In the city religion is more for show (See Fall of Rome \cf2\ul Eze_16:49\cf0\ulnone )\par 5. The authority structure is weaker in the city\par 6. Church hopping is easier in the city\par 7. There are more temptations to overcome in the city.\b\par \cf1\b0\par \cf0\kerning28 (1) Knowledge of God\par \kerning0 First of all, he has no doubt or uncertainty as to the character of the God in whose name he is called to speak. The God of Amos is \par one whose sway is boundless (\cf2\ul Amo_9:2\cf0\ulnone ), \par whose power is infinite (\cf2\ul Amo_8:9-10\cf0\ulnone ), not only \par controlling the forces of Nature (\cf2\ul Amo_4:1-6; Amo_4:7-9; Amo_4:10-13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_5:8\cf0\ulnone -9) but \par guiding the movements and destinies of nations (\cf2\ul Amo_6:1\cf0\ulnone ,\cf2\ul Amo_6:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_9:7\cf0\ulnone ). Moreover, \par He is righteous in all His ways, dealing with nations on moral principles (\cf2\ul Amo_1:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_2:1\cf0\ulnone ); and, though \par particularly favorable to Israel, yet making that very choice of them as a people a ground for visiting them with sterner retribution for their sins (\cf2\ul Amo_3:2\cf0\ulnone ). \par edom\par ammon\par moab\par \pard\fi360\sa60 Amos has three natural sections\par \pard\li360\sa60 1. The first section, which is clearly recognizable, embraces Amo 1-2, against the dead god team, Judah and Israel.\par \pard\fi360\sa60 2. The second section embraces \cf2\ul Amo_3:1-15\cf0\ulnone to 6, and consists apparently of a series of diLVALiscourses, each introduced by the formula: \ldblquote Hear this word\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Amo_3:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_4:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_5:1\cf0\ulnone ), and another introduced by a comprehensive: \ldblquote Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and to them that are secure in the mountain of Samaria\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Amo_6:1\cf0\ulnone ). \par 3. The third section has some well-marked characteristics, although it is even less uniform than the preceding. The outstanding feature is the phrase, \ldblquote Thus the Lord Yahweh showed me\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Amo_7:1\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Amo_7:4\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Amo_7:7\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Amo_8:1\cf0\ulnone ) varied at \cf2\ul Amo_9:1\cf0\ulnone by the words, \ldblquote I saw the Lord standing beside the altar.\rdblquote We have thus a series of \ldblquote visions\rdblquote bearing upon, and interpreted as applying to the condition of Israel. \par \pard\cf1 SOCIAL CONDITIONS\par \cf0 They had just been victorious in war.\par In such wars, success meant an extension of territory and increase of wealth, while defeat entailed the reverse. But it is to be remembered that, in an agricultural country and in a society constituted as that of Israel was, the result of war to one class of the population was to a great extent disastrous to another. However much success was achieved, it brought evils that aggravated the condition of those caught in the middle.\par The peasant, required to take up arms for offense or defense, was taken away from the labors of the field which, in the best event, were for a time neglected, and, in the worst, were wasted and rendered unproductive. And then, when victory was secured, the spoils were liable to fall into the hands of the nobles and leaders, those \ldblquote called with a name\rdblquote (\cf2\ul Amo_6:1\cf0\ulnone ), while the peasant returned to his wasted or neglected fields without much substantial resource with which to begin life again. The wealth secured by the men of strong hand led to thLVALje increase of luxury in its possessors, and became actually the means of still further adding to the embarrassment of the poor, who were dependent on the rich for the means of earning their livelihood. The situation would be aggravated under a feeble or corrupt government, such as was certainly that of Jeroboam's successors. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.\par \par THEIR WICKEDNESS DID NOT KEEP THEM FROM BEING RELIGIOUS\par The people prided themselves in what they regarded the worship of the national God, thinking that so long as they honored Him with costly offerings and a gorgeous ritual, they were pleasing Him and secure in His protection. Bethel, Dan, Gilgal, Beersheba, and we know not how many other places were resorted to in pilgrimage by crowds of worshippers. \par \cf1\par \cf0 When Amos first spoke in Bethel, saying that God was going to judge Syria, Philistia, Phoenicia, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, everybody filled the king's chapel. He really was drawing a crowd. They were very glad for him to preach on the sins of the Moabites, you see, but not on \i their\i0 sins. There are people even today who like the preacher to preach on the sins of the Moabites which were committed four thousand or more years ago, but any preacher who mentions the people's own sins is in real trouble. \par Woman who was known for dipping snuff, amened the preacher when he preached on adultery, alcohol, oppression of the poor. Then when he mentioned snuff she said, "Done quit preachin' and gone to meddlin".\par \par \cf1 (Amo 1:1)\cf0 \cf3 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.\par \cf0\par Why would God choose shepherds so often to lead His people? Who were some of the shepherds He used? \par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 1.\tab God often uses shepherds as leaders of His people because they also understand human nature (David \LVALkcf2\ul\b0 Psa_78:70-72\cf0\ulnone\b , Moses, Jacob). (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:1\cf0\ulnone\b ) \cf2\ul\b0 Mat_25:15\cf0\ulnone\b\par \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:2\cf0\ulnone\b \cf4 God gives His word to reveal His will \cf0\b0\f1\fs24 For it is one of God\rquote s greatest benefits that He gives us his Word containing the revelation of his will and thus points the way not only to our temporal welfare but to eternal blessedness. \b\f0\fs28\par \cf2\ul\b0\f1\fs24 Amo_2:11\cf0\ulnone . \i I raised up \'85 \cf4\b dedicated \cf0\b0 ones.\i0 The life of the \cf4\b Nazarite\cf0\b0 was a \cf4\b continual witness against the self-indulgence and worldliness \cf0\b0 of the people. It was a life above nature. They had no special office except to live that life. Their life taught. Nay, it taught in one way the more, because they had no special gifts of wisdom or knowledge, nothing to distinguish them from ordinary men except extraordinary grace. \cf4\b They were an evidence what all might be and do, if they used the grace of God.\cf0\b0 (Pusey.)\par \par \pard\fi360\cf2\ul Amo_3:1\cf0\ulnone . \cf4\b WE ARE TO APPLY GOD'S WORD PERSONALLY \cf0\b0\i Hear the word which Jehovah speaks \cf4\b to you\cf0\b0 .\i0 Here we learn that God\rquote s Word should be preached in such way that its hearers should recognize that it is intended for and applies to them. For when it is declared only in general terms, especially as respects God\rquote s wrath against sin, the people commonly sit and think it does not concern them but only folks in far-off lands. It should be said, Hear what the Lord says to you who sit here under the pulpit. \cf2\ul 1Co_10:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul 1Co_10:11\cf5\ulnone aa\cf0\par \pard\b\f0\fs28\par \cf1\b0 (Amo 1:3)\cf0 \cf3 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away \i the punishment\i0 thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:\par \cf0\par Three sins would have filled up their cup and required judgment, but four runsLVALl the cup over. Judgment must be executed.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 2.\tab God is very patient and forbearing with man, but \ldblquote enough is enough.\rdblquote (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:3\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:6\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:9\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:11\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:13\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:1\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:4\cf0\ulnone\b , \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:6\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 1:9)\cf0 \cf3 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away \i the punishment\i0 thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 3.\tab We are our brother\rquote s keeper (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:9\cf0\ulnone\b ). What does it mean to be our brother\rquote s keeper? (\cf2\ul\b0 Heb_10:24-25\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Gal_6:1\cf0\ulnone\b )\par \par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 1:13\cf3 ) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away \i the punishment\i0 thereof;\cf0 \cf3 because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 4.\tab We should reverse the world\rquote s trend. They enlarge their borders by iniquity. We should enlarge our borders by truth (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_1:13\cf0\ulnone\b ). How should we enlarge our borders?\par \par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 2:1\cf3 ) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away \i the punishment\i0 thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 5.\tab Why is it always catastrophic to take things into your own hands (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:1\cf0\ulnone\b ). \cf2\ul\b0 Rom_12:19 \cf0\ulnone\b Rebekah did the same. [doing the right thing the wrong way] \par \pard\b0 RIGHT THINGS DONE THE WRONG WAY\par (\cf2\ul Gen_27:5-17\cf0\ulnone )\par \par LVALmHere is a strange example of the way in which lofty ideas may be made a motive for low acts.\par \par It may be that Rebecca told herself she was carrying out the will of God.\par \par Had not the Divine voice said to her that the elder shall serve the younger?\par \par Why should she not act now, by whatever strategy that was necessary, to appropriate Isaac's blessing for Jacob?\par \par The end, she thought, would justify the means.\par \par Her deceit:\par \par 1.\tab Made Jacob look contemptible.\par \par 2.\tab Brought bitterness to Isaac.\par \par 3.\tab Roused Esau's fury.\par \par 4.\tab Led to Jacob's exile.\par \par 5.\tab Caused a breach in the family still unhealed when she died.\par \par 6.\tab She never saw her beloved son again.\par \par 7.\tab Esau married for the wrong reasons.\par \par Abraham took Hagar to help God out (\cf2\ul Gen_16:2\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par Saul forced himself to sacrifice. (\cf2\ul 1Sa_13:12\cf0\ulnone )\par \par Try to be saved without baptism or by the Trinity, etc.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b\par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 2:4)\cf0 \cf3 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away \i the punishment\i0 thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\b\par \pard\sa120\b0 Now Amos turns to the nation Israel in a reverse of the method which the other prophets used later on. They would always mention God's judgment of Israel and then the judgment of the other nations which surrounded them. However, Amos has taken up these other nations first before he turns to Israel against whom the judgment of God will be greater. The reason for their greater judgment is quite obvious: Privilege \i always\i0 creates responsibility. The more light that you have, the more responsible you are to God. I believe that you and I are more responsible to God than peopleLVALn who are denied Bibles and who are not hearing the Word of God at all. We are more responsible than they are. We often like to sit in judgment of these other nations round about us, but have you ever stopped to think of the tremendous responsibility that you and I have because of the privilege of having the Word of God? We boast of the fact that we have the Bible, but the important thing is our own personal obedience to the Word of God and whether or not we are doing anything to help get it out to others.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b (McGee)\par \pard\par \cf1\b0 (Amo 2:7)\cf0 \cf3 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the \i same\i0 maid, to profane my holy name:\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 6.\tab Greed knows no bounds. They \ldblquote panted after the dust [dandruff]\rdblquote on the poor man\rquote s head (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:7\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_6:6\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Amo_8:4-7\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 1Ti_6:5-19\cf0\ulnone\b ). Riches and luxury always tend to corrupt those who have them.\par \pard\sa120\b0 And turn aside the way of the meek." Justice was being turned aside in disfavor to the meek. Why? Because the meek did not speak out. The old saying is true: "It's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease." The meek are not inheriting the earth today. It is inherited by those who are forward and are grabbing for all they can get. The poor and the meek were not receiving justice in Israel, nor are they receiving justice anywhere in the world today.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b\par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 2:9)\cf0 \cf3 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height \i was\i0 like the height of the cedars, and he \i was\i0 strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\b 7.\tab Success is in God\rquote s hand. He can affect both the root and the fruit (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:9\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \bLVALo0\par \cf2\ul Amo_2:9-16\cf0\ulnone\par They \{Amorites\} were of great stature (whose height was like the height of the cedars) and the people of Israel were as shrubs to them; and they were also of great strength, not only tall, but well-set: He was strong as the oaks. Their kingdom was eminent among the nations, and over-topped all its neighbors. The supports and defenses of it seemed impregnable; it was as fine as the stately cedar; it was as firm as the sturdy oak; yet, when God had a vine to plant there (\cf2\ul Psa_80:8-9\cf0\ulnone ), this Amorite was not only cut down, but plucked up: I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from beneath, so that the Amorites were no more a nation, nor ever read of any more. \par (Matthew Henry)\par \pard\par \pard\fi-360\li360 I destroyed him utterly (\cf2\ul Job_18:16\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Eze_17:9\cf0\ulnone , "Shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither?" \cf2\ul Mal_4:1\cf0\ulnone ). God, who had made the Amorite majestic as the cedar and strong as the oak, cut him down "root and branch," leaving him as a fallen tree, no fruit above, no root, as the hope of recovery of life, beneath.\par (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown)\par \b\par \pard\cf1\b0 (Amo 2:11)\cf0 \cf3 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. \i Is it\i0 not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Amo 2:12)\cf0 \cf3 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 8.\tab When the wicked and righteous fellowship together, it is the wicked who have more influence on the righteous than the righteous on the wicked (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:11-12\cf0\ulnone\b ). [Jehoshaphat and Ahab were in alliance. It was Jehoshaphat\rquote s son who then marries Ahab\rquote s daughter and corrupts the Judean kingdom.] Why do the wicked always have more influence on the righteous than the righteous on the wicked?\pLVALpar \pard\b0 Regardless of the resources of Israel, or of their skills and power, they will not be able to sustain their own life when Jehovah has turned them over to themselves.\par \cf3\par \cf0 LIES IN SOCIETY (\cf2\ul Amo_2:14\cf0\ulnone ) \{humanistic lies\}\par 1. Wealth is the chief good.\par 2. It is possible to serve God and mammon.\par 3. A man's possessions are his own. He may do with them as he likes.\par 4. Human nature is not so depraved as theologians would have us believe.\par 5. Zeal in the cause of Christ is fanaticism.\par 6. If a man lives a good life, it matters not what his opinions may be.\par 7. Forgiveness of injuries is weak and unmanly.\par 8. The forbearance of God can never be exhausted.\par 9. Religion is not a proper subject for ordinary conversation.\par 10. We ought to pray, but we need not wait on God for an answer.\par \emdash James Mackay.\par \b\par \cf3\b0 (Amo 2:13) Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed \i that is\i0 full of sheaves.\par \cf0\b\par \pard\sa120\b0 God is saying here, "You have put Me in a difficult situation. You are My people. I put you in the land, and I put the Amorite out. Now here you are committing the same sins they commit! Do you expect Me to shut My eyes to your sin because you are My people? I'm being pressed down 'as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.'" Gypsies in Romania load wagons to overflowing\par \pard\b\par \cf3\b0 (Amo 2:14) Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:\par \par \pard\fi216\sa60\cf0 We come now to the end of Amos 2. Amos has been buiding up evidence against Israel to let them know why God would turn them over to the Assyrians. Thus they are to prepare to meet their God, or come to battle against Him. He shows how helpless they will be when they confront the Omnipotent.\par \par They had despised God, as their \ldblquote place of refuge\rdblquote , so when the Assyrians coLVALqme against them, \ldblquote the place of refuge, should perish from the swift,\rdblquote as though it were not. He should flee suddenly, but there would be no \ldblquote place to flee unto.\rdblquote God alone \ldblquote renews strength;\rdblquote therefore \ldblquote the strong\rdblquote man should not \ldblquote strengthen his force or might,\rdblquote should not be able to gather or \ldblquote collect his strength\rdblquote as we say. Fear should disable him. \ldblquote The handler of the bow\rdblquote (as in \cf2\ul Jer_46:9\cf0\ulnone ), and who by habit is a skilled archer, although himself out of the immediate reach of the enemy, and able, unharmed, to annoy him and protect the fugitives, \ldblquote shall not stand\rdblquote (as in \cf2\ul Jer_46:21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Nah_2:8\cf0\ulnone ). Panic should overtake him. The \ldblquote mighty\rdblquote man, the \ldblquote fleet of foot\rdblquote should \ldblquote not deliver,\rdblquote yea, \ldblquote the horseman\rdblquote should not \ldblquote deliver himself;\rdblquote yea, he who, \ldblquote among the mighty,\rdblquote was \ldblquote strongest of his heart,\rdblquote firm-souled among those of mightiest prowess, \ldblquote shall flee away naked,\rdblquote that is, bared of all armor or dress, which might encumber his flight \ldblquote in that day\rdblquote which the Lord made a day of terror His own day.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b\par \pard\cf1\b0 (\cf2\ul Amo_2:15\cf1\ulnone )\cf0 \cf3 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and \i he that is\i0 swift of foot shall not deliver \i himself\i0 : neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 9.\tab The battle is not always to the strong or the race to the swift (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_2:14-16; Ecc_9:11\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \pard\cf5\b0\fs29 It is interesting that up to this point Amos has been building an accumulation of human transgression and iniquity. And in these closing verses of the chapter the reader is equally struck with tLVALrhe rhetorical accumulation of figures intended to convey a deep impression of the inevitableness of God's will being done.\par I. A PICTURE OF HUMAN GREATNESS. Man has his own standard of greatness. The prophet piles up epithets to represent man's power. In vivid colours and in rapid succession there rise before the imagination the figures of the "swift" runner who desires to overtake his foe, the "strong" hero whose blow cleaves the helmet in two, the "mighty" whose praise is upon all lips, the "bowman" whose arrow pierces the fugitive in the battlefield, the "swift on foot" who trusts for safety to his speed, the "horseman" whose charge has often broken the illustrous ranks of the enemy, the "courageous," "the strong of his heart," whom no danger intimidates.\par II. A VISION OF INEVITABLE OVERTHROW AND OF THE HELPLESSNESS OF THE ENEMIES OF GOD. Even such as those who have been described shall be powerless in the day of the Lord. Escape from the operation of God's law is not to be obtained by any human craft or might. The swift shall be overtaken, and the arm of the warrior shall fall powerless by his side. Justice must be vindicated; the Lord of right will never abandon his sovereign throne. - T. \cf2\ul Zec_4:6\cf5\ulnone\par \pard\fi-360\li360\cf0\fs28\par \cf2\ul Ecc_9:11\cf0\ulnone \par \pard Why do you need God to fight your battles? Because regardless how adept you are at your bow there is someone better who will come against you. Regardless how swift of foot you may be, someone can out run you. Regardless how swift your horse, someone has a better one, or faster one. When God is on your side it matters not who may come against you (\cf2\ul Rom_8:31\cf0\ulnone ). Your endurance is determined by God\rquote s favor. When God is against you, the best thing to do is lay down your weapons and surrender. David's attitude is best (\cf2\ul 2Sa_24:13-15\cf0\ulnone )\par \cf5\fs23\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\fs28\par It will be in vain to think of fleeing from the enemy that comes armed with aLVALs commission to make all desolate: The flight shall perish from the swift; those that have been famed for happy escapes and happy retreats shall now find their arts fail them; they shall have no time to flee, or shall find no way to take, or they shall have no strength or spirit to attempt it; they shall be at their wits' end, and then they are soon at their flight's end. Are they, as Asahel, as swift of foot as a wild roe? (\cf2\ul 2Sa_2:18\cf0\ulnone ), yet, like him, they shall run the faster upon their own destruction: He that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself, \cf2\ul Amo_2:15\cf0\ulnone . Or do they say (as those, \cf2\ul Isa_30:16\cf0\ulnone ), We will flee upon horses, and we will ride upon the swift? Yet they shall be overtaken: Neither shall he that rides the horse deliver himself from his pursuers. A horse is a vain thing for safety (\cf2\ul Psa_33:17\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par 2. It will be in vain to think of fighting it out. God is at war with them; and are they stronger than he? Is there any military force that can pretend to be a match for Omnipotence? No: The strong shall not strengthen his force. He that has a habit of strength shall not be able to exert it when he has occasion for it. And the mighty, whose should protect and deliver others, shall not be able to deliver himself, to deliver his soul (so the word is), shall not save his life. Let not the strong man then glory in his strength, nor trust in it, but strengthen himself in the Lord his God, for in him is everlasting strength. And, as the bodily strength shall fail, so shall the weapons of war. The armour as well as the arm shall become insufficient: Neither shall he stand that handles the bow, though he stand at a distance, but shall betake himself to flight, and not trust to his own bow to save him. Though the arm be ever so strong, and the armour ever so well fixed, neither will avail when the spirit fails (\cf2\ul Amo_2:16\cf0\ulnone ): He that is courageous among the mighty, that used to look danger in the face, aLVALtnd not be dismayed at it, shall flee away naked in that day, not only disarmed, having thrown away his weapons both offensive and defensive, but plundered of his treasure, which he thought to carry away with him, and he will be glad just to save his life.\par (Matthew Henry)\par \par \pard\cf3 (Amo 2:16) And \i he that is\i0 courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.\par \cf0\b [saith the Lord] \b0 All depends on what He said. When He speaks of peace you can expect it though the world be turning upside down. When He speaks of adversity, you can prepare for trouble though the barns be full and the skies are blue. That is why you can trust Him even in the worst of circumstances for He never fails (\cf2\ul Hab_3:17-19\cf0\ulnone ).\par \par \cf3 (\cf2\ul Amo_3:1\cf3\ulnone ) Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,\par \cf0\par The Lord has somewhat against you (\cf2\ul Rev_2:4\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_2:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Rev_2:20\cf0\ulnone ). He has a controversy against His people (\cf2\ul Hos_4:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Hos_12:2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Mic_6:2\cf0\ulnone ). If there were no hope of redemption He would not enter into such communication. It is only because He desires to deliver that He would consider bringing this word.\par \cf5\fs23\par \i\fs29 Here was this desert prophet, with keen, prayer-washed eyes, piercing through the shows of things to the unclean realities behind. He disinterred the moral corruption that lurked behind their whited professions. \i0 (J. H. Jowett, M. A.)\fs23\par \cf1\fs28\par (Amo 3:2)\cf0 \cf3 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.\par \par \pard\fi216\sa60\cf0\b only:\b0 \cf2\ul Exo_19:5-6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Deu_10:15\cf0\ulnone , \cf2\ul Deu_26:18\cf0\ulnone\par \pard What an honor to be such a special people to God thaLVALut He has acknowledged no other. That was not due to being a great people. He did not know them for their wisdom. He knew them only because of the covenant He made with their fathers and the love He had bestowed upon them (\cf2\ul Deu_7:7-8\cf0\ulnone ). With privilege and honor comes responsibility. To whom much is given much is required (\cf2\ul Luk_12:48\cf0\ulnone ). \par \pard\fi360\f1\fs24 Ver. 2. \i You only\i0 , etc.\emdash\i therefore I will\i0 , etc. This is a wonderful inference. We should rather expect; therefore will I spare you. But we see that the Lord is accustomed to punish those who have received much at his hands more severely than others not so favored. For his kindness is not intended to encourage us in sin, but to render j us through gratitude more devoted to Him. He has chosen us in Christ that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love (Ephes. 1.), but where this result does not follow, God\rquote s goodness ceases, and his punishments fall the heavier.\emdash (W. S.)\par \pard\f0\fs28\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 10.\tab Special privileges mean special responsibilities. Much is required of those who have been given much (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_3:2; Luk_12:48; Mat_11:20-24\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \pard\sa120\b0\par This is getting right down to where the rubber meets the road, which shows the kind of prophet Amos was. He didn't beat around the bush. He didn't mince words. He comes right out and says that God will punish Israel for her iniquities. It's too bad the politicians and the priests wouldn't listen to him. If they had, it could have been a different story for Israel.\par "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." After the disaster of the Flood, man was still in such sin that at the Tower of Babel all mankind had departed from God. It was total apostasy. Then God reached down to Ur of the Chaldees and called a man, told him to get away from his home of idolatry and to go to a place which He would show him. God said that from this one man, Abraham, He would mLVALvake a nation and give him a land. This is what God means when He says, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth."\par In order to get a message through to the world, God had to use this method. Though at the Tower of Babel, man may have been building an escape in case there would be another flood, they also had another goal in view. It was an altar that was built, apparently, to the sun. It was a place of worship. After the Flood men had the false idea that the god of darkness and the god of the storm had brought the Flood. So now they are going to worship the sun. It was sun worship that prevailed in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley and continues until this very day. In the religion of Zoroaster there is the worship of light even down to the present.\par God chose Abraham from among the nations, out of Abraham He brought forth the nation Israel, and to the nation He gave His Word. His purpose was that this nation would give His Word to the world. And this is God's purpose for us, my friend. For this reason I am attempting to get out His whole Word\emdash all sixty-six books\emdash by all means available to me.\par "Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." God is saying, "I intend to judge you." The nation Israel occupied a unique relationship to God. God had given to them His commandments. And the reason He would judge Israel so severely is because they had broken so many of His commandments. You see, light creates responsibility. An enlightened nation has a greater responsibility than a nation which is in darkness.\par This is a great principle that God puts down here. He intends to judge in a harsher manner those who have received light than those who are in darkness. The Lord Jesus also mentioned the fact that some would receive fewer stripes and others would receive more stripes (\cf2\ul Luk_12:47-48\cf0\ulnone ). I would rather be a heathen in the darkest corner of this earth, bowing down before an ugly, hideous idol of stone, than to be the so-called civilized man inLVALw this country, sitting in church on Sunday morning while he hears the gospel preached and does nothing about it. The man who hears the Word of God has a greater responsibility than the man who doesn't. Therefore, there are different degrees of punishment.\par God makes it clear that He intends to punish them for their iniquities. Now a great many people today like to hear of the \i love\i0 of God. The love of God is indeed wonderful. It is something we need to rest upon and rejoice in. The love of God is manifested in the Cross of Christ\emdash "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son \'85" (\cf2\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone ). The Cross is where God revealed His love, and when that love is rejected, there is nothing left but punishment. A great many folk feel that God should not punish; but, since they are not running the universe, I am of the opinion that their viewpoint will not be followed. God has already said that He is holy, righteous, just, and that He intends to punish. Judgment upon sin is the logical consequence.\par In fact, there will be a set of questions asked and answered, which reveal what a logical matter-of-fact prophet Amos really was. He deals with certain basic truths. He was a man from the edge of the wilderness down in Tekoa, and he draws from his long experience down there. He takes his lessons from the world of nature. He learned some things that folk still need to learn today.\par Well, this man Amos is a country man, and he has observed many wonderful things in nature.\par (McGee)\par I am in the process now of counseling a woman who is trying to save her son. When she tries to get him to come to church and live for God he says, "Mother, you hear the preachers as well as I do saying that it does not matter how far we go from God, we can come back." He twists the message to make an excuse for himself. He wants to go out into the world and live it up then come to God when he gets ready. It won't work because God with fight against him. He has been raiseLVALxd in church and his punishment will be greater than the outsider who came to God after destroying his life.\par \pard\fi-360\li360\par [You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities] Such is the one law of God. The nearer anyone is brought unto God, the worse is his fall, and, his trial over, the more heavily is he punished. Nearness to God is a priceless, but an awesome gift. The most intense blessing becomes, by the abuse of free will, the most dreadful woe. For the nearer God places anyone to His own light, the more malignant is the choice of darkness instead of light. The more clearly anyone knows the relation to God, in which God has placed him, the more terrible is his rejection of God. The more God reveals to any, what He IS, His essential perfections, His holiness and love, the more utter, tearful malignity it is, to have been brought face to face with God, and to have in deed said to Him, "On Your terms I will have none of You." The angels who sinned against fullest light, had no redemption or repentance; but became devils. "He took not on Him the nature of angels" (\cf2\ul Heb_2:16\cf0\ulnone ). "The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitations, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great Day" (\cf2\ul Jud_1:6\cf0\ulnone ). (\cf2\ul 2Pe_2:19-20\cf0\ulnone )\par (Barnes' Notes)\par \cf2\ul Mat_11:21-24\cf0\ulnone\par \pard That's why teachers have a greater condemnation than pastors (\cf2\ul Jas_3:1\cf0\ulnone )\par Argentina\par \par \cf1 (Amo 3:3)\cf0 \cf3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 11.\tab Not much can be accomplished unless we agree with God. There is greater strength in greater unity (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_3:3\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \par \b0 Two things Amos looks at. \par 1) God would not be speaking to the prophet to bring you this message unless \cf4\b God and the prophet were in agreement.\cf0\b0 LVALy\{Jesus used this same argument in \cf2\ul Joh_8:28-29\cf0\ulnone\} \par 2) You cannot hear from God because you are not in agreement with Him.\par \cf2\ul Amo_3:3\cf0\ulnone\par He begins now a series of brief parables that have, all of them, this in common, that each thing spoken of is alternately \cf4\b cause and effect, and where the one is found, 'there' must be the other.\cf0\b0 From the effect you can certainly infer the cause, without which it could not be, and from the cause you may be sure of the effect. Then, further, all the images are of terror and peril to the objects spoken of. The prophet impresses upon their minds both aspects of these things; "evil will not befall, unless it has been prepared;" "signs of evil will not shew themselves, unless the evil be at hand." "The bird will not fall without the snare; if the snare rises and so shews itself, the bird is as good as taken. As surely then (the prophet would say) as the roaring of the lion, the rising of the snare, the alarm of the trumpet, betokens imminent peril, so surely does the warning Voice of God. 'The lion hath roared; who will not fear?' Again, as surely as these are the effects of their causes, so surely is all infliction sent by Him who alone has power over all things, and is the cause of all. 'Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Again, as these tokens are given before the evil comes, and the God of nature and of grace has made it a law in nature, that what is fearful should give signs of coming evil, so has He made it a law of His own dealing, not to inflict evil, without having fore-announced it.\par \par 'Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveleth His secret unto His servants the prophets.' As nothing else is by chance, nor happens without cause, much less the acts of God. The lion or young lion when they roar, the bird when it falls to the ground, the snare when it rises, the trumpet's sound, all have their cause and ground: shall not then much more the acts and works of God? SLVALzhall evil happen in the city, and have no ground in the Cause of all causes, God in His righteous judgments? As there is fear, whenever there are tokens and causes of fear, so fear ye now and watch, lest the fear overtake you and it be too late.\par (Barnes' Notes)\par \par \cf2\ul Amo_3:1-8\cf0\ulnone\par Let them know that they could not expect any comfortable communion with God unless they first made their peace with him (\cf2\ul Amo_3:3\cf0\ulnone ): Can two walk together except they be agreed? No; how should they? Where there is not friendship there can be no fellowship; if two persons be at variance, they must first accommodate the matters in difference between them before there can be any interchanging of good offices. Israel has affronted God, had broken their covenant with him, and ill-requited his favors to them; and yet they expected that he should continue to walk with them, should take their part, act for them, and give them assurances of his presence with them, though they took no care by repentance and reformation to agree with their adversary and to turn away his wrath. "But how can that be?" says God. "While you continue to walk contrary to God you can look for no other than that he should walk contrary to you," \cf2\ul Lev_26:23-24\cf0\ulnone . Note, We cannot expect that God should be present with us, or act for us, unless we be reconciled to him. God and man cannot walk together except they be agreed. Unless we agree with God in our end, which is his glory, we cannot walk with him by the way.\par (Matthew Henry)\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\cf1 (Amo 3:4)\cf0 \cf3 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Amo 3:5)\cf0 \cf3 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin \i is\i0 for him? shall \i one\i0 take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?\par \cf0\par \cf1 (Amo 3:6)\cf0 \cf3 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not bLVAL{e afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done \i it\i0 ?\par \pard\sa120\cf0\par "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?" God has said that He is going to judge the people, and judgment \i is\i0 coming. It is rather \i foolish\i0 to fail to respond. It should have had an effect on their lives, but they are not listening to the prophet\emdash any more than our nation is listening to the Word of God today.\par "Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" First of all, let's understand that the word \i "evil"\i0 does not mean something which is sinful or wrong. It means calamity or judgment, famine, flood, hurricane, toronado, fire, pestilence, sword. Amos is saying, "Shall there be a calamity in the city, and the Lord has not done it?" This means, my friend, that there is no such thing as an accident in the life of a child of God. There \i must\i0 be a cause for the effect. God is not moving this universe in a foolish, idle manner. Therefore, when calamity strikes, there is a lesson to be learned from it. I believe that if America had learned the lesson of the "dust bowl" and of the drought period and of the Depression, we would never have had to fight World War II. But we did not learn. Neither did we listen to God's warning in World War II, so we fought a tragic war in Vietnam, and still we are not listening to God. My friend, God will not let any nation dwell in peace and prosperity when it is in sin. Planes will strike our twin towers, terrorists will invade our land, fuel prices will sky-rocket, we will send troops to Iraq. Oh, it may have a period of peace and prosperity, but judgment \i will\i0 come.\par Amos asks seven questions which illustrate that for every effect there is a cause and that the judgment of God which is coming is not accidental but is a result caused by the sin of the people.\par \pard (McGee)\par Churning of milk (\cf2\ul Pro_30:33\cf0\ulnone ) \par \par \cf1 (\cf2\ul Amo_3:7\cf3\ulnone ) SurelLVAL|y the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.\par \pard\fi360\cf2\ul Amo_3:7\cf0\ulnone \cf4\b God reminds man of judgment in hopes it will not have to be implemented. \cf0\b0\i\f1\fs24 The Lord Jehovah does nothing\i0 , etc. \cf4\b God has ever warned the world of coming judgments in order that it may not incur them.\cf0\b0 As Chrysostom says, He has revealed to us hell in order that we may escape hell. He warned Noah of the coming flood. He told Abram and Lot of the future judgment of the cities of the plain. He revealed to Joseph the seven years of famine, and to Moses the ten plagues, and to Jonah the destruction of Nineveh; and by Christ He foretold the fall of Jerusalem; and Christ has warned all of his own future coming to judge the world. God does this that men may repent; and that if they obstinately continue in sin, He may be justified in executing punishment upon them. (Wordsworth.)\par \pard And this seeking of good is more closely defined as hating evil and loving good. Both must concur; then only is there a real seeking of good; for God does the one as well as the other. Evil must be earnestly repelled and shunned, otherwise the seeking of good lacks truth and energy; in like manner must good be grasped at, otherwise the attempt misses its aim and soon becomes fruitless. Piety must have an ethical element, must show itself by hating evil and loving good. \f0\fs28\par \par \cf1 (Amo 3:8)\cf0 \cf3 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?\par \cf0\par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 12.\tab When you see smoke you know there is fire somewhere (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_3:4-8\cf0\ulnone\b )\par \pard\b0\fs24\par \fs28 (\cf2\ul 1Sa_15:13-14\cf0\ulnone ) Things do not just happen. Aaron tried to fool Moses (\cf2\ul Exo_32:24\cf0\ulnone ). \par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 13.\tab God never does anything without a good cause (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_3:4-8\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 14.\LVAL}tab God reveals His secrets to those who walk with Him, and hides it from the wise (\cf2\ul\b0 Amo_3:7\cf0\ulnone\b ; \cf2\ul\b0 Mat_11:25\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\b0\par The secret of God is with them; it is in some sense with all the righteous (\cf2\ul Pro_3:32\cf0\ulnone ), with all that fear God (\cf2\ul Psa_25:14\cf0\ulnone ), but in a peculiar manner with the prophets, to whom the Spirit of prophecy is a Spirit of revelation. \par (Matthew Henry's Commentary)\par \pard\cf5\fs29\par Sometimes the preacher does not even know a word was given for some particular person\par Sometimes they do Sis Williams\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\fs28\par "God revealed to Noah that He would bring the deluge, and to Abraham and Lot \cf5\fs29 (\cf2\ul Gen_18:17\cf5\ulnone )\cf0\fs28 , that He would destroy the cities of the plain, and to Joseph the 7 years' famine in Egypt, and to Moses its plagues, and to Moses and Joshua all the chastisements of His people, and to Jonah the destruction of Nineveh, that they who heard of the coming punishment, might either avoid it by repentance, or, if they should despise it, might be more justly punished. \par (Barnes' Notes)\par \par \pard\cf3 (Amo 3:9) Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.\par \cf0\par The transgressions of Israel are not some secret matter, or hidden in a corner. The prophet declares that God\rquote s controversy with Israel is known even among the heathen nations of the world. They have openly transgressed and He will openly denounce them. Before He is finished the whole world will know.\par \cf5\fs23\par \par \cf3\fs28 (Amo 3:10) For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.\par \cf0\par They know not because they have rejected His law which tells them what they need to know. If they wouldLVAL seek to understand Him they would find the answers to life situations out of His word. A person can have the greatest equipment in the world, but if he does not read the instructions, or does not understand the instructions when he reads them, then he is as though he had no resource.\par \cf5\fs23\par \i\fs29 Ignorance of the price of pearls makes the idiot slight them. Ignorance of the worth of diamonds makes the fool choose a pebble before them. Ignorance of the satisfaction learning affords -- that makes the peasant despise and laugh at it; and we very ordinarily see how men tread and trample on those plants which are the greatest restoratives, because they know not the virtue of them: and the same may justly be affirmed of religion, -- the reason why men meddle no more with it is because they are not acquainted with the pleasantness of it.\i0\par (Anthony Horneck.)\par \fs23\par \pard\fi-720\li360\cf0\fs28\par \pard\cf1 (Amo 3:12\cf3 ) Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus \i in\i0 a couch.\par \cf0\par \b 15.\tab When the devil gets through with us, God often does not have much to work with (\cf2\ul Amo_3:12\cf0\ulnone ). Diamond can be recut but will not be as valuable as before\cf5\b0\f2\fs17\par \f3\fs29\par } LVALg {\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 MS Sans Serif;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green0\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\lang1033\f0\fs28 (Amo 4:4) Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, \i and\i0 your tithes after three years:\par \cf0\par \pard\sa120 My friend, I hope you understand the satire and sarcasm of Amos when he invites people to Gilgal to transgress. He is not asking them to sin, but in biting sarcasm he is saying, "That's what you do when you come to Bethel and to Gilgal. You come to \i sin,\i0 not to worship God!"\par \pard (McGee)\par \par \cf2 (Amo 4:6)\cf0 \cf1 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.\par \cf0 HERE BEGINS HIS "YET YOU WOULD NOT RETURN" SERIES\par \cf2 (Amo 4:7)\cf0 \cf1 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when \i there were\i0 yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.\par \cf0\par \cf2 (Amo 4:8)\cf0 \cf1 So two \i or\i0 three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf2 (Amo 4:9)\cf0 \cf1 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured \i them\i0 : yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf2 (Amo 4:10)\cf0 \cf1 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taLVALken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.\par \cf0\par \cf2 (Amo 4:11)\cf0 \cf1 I have overthrown \i some\i0 of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.\par \cf0 What more could be done? (\cf3\ul Isa_5:4\cf0\ulnone )\par \par \cf2 (\cf3\ul Amo_4:12\cf2\ulnone )\cf0 \cf1 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: \i and\i0 because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.\par \cf0\par You would not prepare to meet me in peace when I laid down these opportunities, so now prepare to meet me in war.\par \par \pard\fi-360\li360\b 16.\tab We should recognize the example of cause and effect in our lives (\cf3\ul\b0 Amo_4:6-12\cf0\ulnone\b ).\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 17.\tab How does God use nature to correct us (\cf3\ul\b0 Amo_4:7\cf0\ulnone\b ). There is always meaning to calamity.\par \pard\fi-720\li360\par \pard\fi-360\li360 18.\tab We must prepare to meet our God (\cf3\ul\b0 Amo_4:12\cf0\ulnone\b ). When is someone prepared to meet God? \par \par \pard\cf1\b0 (\cf3\ul Amo_5:4\cf1\ulnone ) For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:\par \cf0\b We must prepare to seek God\b0\par \cf4\fs29 Man is by nature a seeker. He desires good, of one kind or another, and what he desires he makes the object of his quest, more or less diligent and persevering. Hence the restlessness, the energy, the effort, so distinctive of human life. \par Man is so constituted that he cannot find a full satisfaction in any earthly and created good. He returns from every such endeavour with the complaint, "All is vanity." "Our heart," said St. Augustine - "our heart is restless till it rests in thee."\par If God were visibl