The Visions of Amos
The Visions of Amos Though expelled from Samaria, Amos continued to proclaim his warnings to its people, speaking through his writings. In the latter portion of his book, he describes vision after vision which came to him, visions in parable, which God interprets to the prophet. He sees a basket of summer-fruit, and knows that the wickedness of Israel is ripe, and the land shall soon be fallen and decayed. He sees the Lord or one of His messengers standing upon an altar, and is bidden break down this temple; for thus, declares God, will He beat down Israel, though He had chosen its people and built them up to be His temple. Amos beholds also a devouring fire come against Israel, and a plumbline measuring its cities for destruction. At the very close, the seer looks beyond the downfall of Israel. Her people shall all be captives of their enemies, yet shall the good be saved, and the land re-peopled. The “tabernacle of David” shall be raised again. “The mountains shall drop...