Amos 4:1-13
Formerly when the LORD sent plagues upon Egypt, He sheltered Israel from them (Exodus 8:22; Exodus 9:6-7; Exodus 9:26; Exodus 10:23; Exodus 12:12-13). What a changeover morally there now is (v. 1): we see Him constrained to strike down His own people "after the manner of Egypt" (v. 10). Famine, drought, parasites, pestilence, earthquake: five successive calamities with the purpose of speaking to the conscience of this rebellious nation. Alas! the sad refrain is repeated five times, ". . . yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD"! (vv. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11). Let us not accuse others! Does not the Lord use the same patience when dealing with us? If the measures He takes are often painful to us, it is always in sparing us "as a firebrand plucked out of the burning" (v. 11; cf. Zechariah 3:2). Have we returned unto Him? Well, sooner or later we have to meet God! If we do not meet the Lord now in grace, by turning to Him with a repentant heart, He Himself will visit the sinner in judgment (Luke 12:58-59). "Prepare to meet thy God!"
What is the one and only way a person today can avoid this terrible meeting? It is by confessing his sins and accepting the pardon which the Lord Jesus freely bestows. Reader, are you ready?