August 17, 2026 - Amos 3-6

Commentators regularly comment about the harshness of Amos’ prophecies against Israel.  One of the techniques the prophet employs is the asking of rhetorical questions, the answers to which are obvious, e.g.:

Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?  Of course not!

Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?   Of course not!

Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it?   Of course not!

Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?  Of course not!

Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?   Of course not!

And so . . . until he asks, “Will Israel continue to reject God and sin against him with no consequences?  Of course not!

“Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,”

      declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

“that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions,

      I will punish the altars of Bethel,

and the horns of the altar shall be cut off

      and fall to the ground” (3:13-14).

And, still, the Lord, through his prophet, pleads with Israel:  “Seek me and live” (5:4) & “Seek the LORD and live” (5:6) & “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live” (5:14).  Oh my, the patience and the long-suffering of our God toward us!  If not for his grace and mercy!  Fanny Crosby’s hymn has been criticized by some as depicting God as one who is pitifully calling out for someone to listen to him and to turn to him, just sort of hoping against hope as we sometimes put it.  But isn’t this what he did time and time again with Israel, i.e., lovingly called to her to return?  And for all who have received salvation, can we not remember those sweet pleadings of the Holy Spirit and be glad that God called and called and called to us?

Jesus is tenderly calling you home,

calling today, calling today.

Why from the sunshine of love will you roam

farther and farther away?

Calling today,

calling today,

Jesus is calling,

is tenderly calling today.   –Fanny Crosby (1883)