Good Times, Bad Times (3 of 3)
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Edom,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because he pursued his brother with the sword
and cast off all pity,
and his anger tore perpetually,
and he kept his wrath forever.
So I will send a fire upon Teman,
and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”
“And the Edomites!” came a jubilant voice from one side of the amphitheater. It elicited uproarious laughter from the crowd—laughter salted with that particular tone people use when they know that they have been avenged. Every person present had been told in their childhood the stories of the animosity between Israel and Edom (of Jacob and Esau). Those pitiless, ruthless, oath-breaking Edomites. Looking southeast, the crowd roared, “Jacob is vindicated!” And quickly the prophet spoke again…
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of the Ammonites,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead,
that they might enlarge their border.
So I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah,
and it shall devour her strongholds,
with shouting on the day of battle,
with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind;
and their king shall go into exile,
he and his princes together,”
says the Lord.
A warmth came over the crowd as their celebration intensified. There was dancing and shouting. People gave full reign to their happiness. Memories of the stories of Abraham were freely shared around as Amos pronounced doom upon Ammon. That miserable, wretched, ruthless, ambitious people. Then a lone voice was heard over the din, “That’s five!” It was a reminder of both tradition and symbolism—a reminder that the perfect number was seven. God was fond of the number seven, as were his prophets. It was a solemn reminder that, although the prophet had pronounced five oracles already, he was not yet finished. A “Shh, Shh, Shh” spread through the multitude, and all sound died. On cue, Amos again raised his hands as he raised his voice …
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Moab,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because he burned to lime
the bones of the king of Edom.
So I will send a fire upon Moab,
and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth,
and Moab shall die amid uproar,
amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet;
I will cut off the ruler from its midst,
and will kill all its princes with him,”
says the Lord.
“I knew it!” was heard from many. Moab—the other half of that evil pairing from the loins of Lot. They had no respect for anyone; no regard for tradition, no honor, and certainly no thought for the LORD. “That’s six!” rang out that same voice. People clasped hands and locked their eyes on Amos, no longer fearful of what he had to say. Hands raised, the prophet spoke again…
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Judah,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have rejected the law of the Lord,
and have not kept his statutes,
but their lies have led them astray,
those after which their fathers walked.
So I will send a fire upon Judah,
and it shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem.”
This time there was a long, silent moment as the prophet lowered his arms. Judah was terribly close to home. Many had family there, or friends. They, too, were people of God. An apprehensive pall fell over the crowd. But when a voice cried out, “That’s seven! He is done!” the people quickly recovered, and there was an explosion of praise. “Hallelujah!” shouted many. “Surely the LORD is good to Israel!” quoted another. One elder stood and proclaimed, “This day the prophet has confirmed for us what we have known all along—God’s favor rests upon us!” At these words, the praise reached a crescendo. It went on for what seemed like an hour. Strangers embraced, and even children were shouting and singing, even though they did not fully understand why. It was a great day in Israel. Slowly the people settled and began to make their way out of the amphitheater. Voices could be heard recounting to one another—even imitating—the words of Amos. “What a grand sermon!” many commented. Yet soon an uncomfortable feeling rippled through the crowd as more and more people noticed that the prophet had not moved. He remained in the center of the stage. As the grand exit ceased, mothers shushed their children, and almost in unison, everyone faced the prophet again.
His hair was swept back and his brow furrowed. With tears forming in the corners of his eyes, the prophet cinched tightly the belt around his tunic, and—trembling this time—he raised his hands for the EIGHTH time. And his voice thundered.
Thus says the LORD: for three transgressions of ISRAEL . . .
EPILOGUE:
There are moments in life when every visible indicator seems to point to God being with us. But what is the only indicator that counts? The indicator that truly counts is our relationship with God, evidenced in the way we live every single day—regardless of circumstances.
If we think that peace and prosperity mean God is with us, and that times of want and trial mean God is not with us, then we make the same mistake as Israel. God is with his people because his people are faithful imitators of God’s design for life in this world. God is with his people because we live as conduits of his love and mercy. We are called simply to take what God has given and manifest it everywhere we go.