The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 78

III. A BTRIKING PICTURE OF DIVINE DELIVERANCE. Ae the brand ie plucked, snatched from the burning, eo that, although bearing the traces of fire upon it, it ie not consumed, even so did it happen to Israel that Divine mercy saved, if not the com- munity, yet many individuals, from destruction. Where, indeed, is the soul, saved from spiritual death, of which it may not be said, "Here is a brand plucked from the- burning"? And there are instances of salvation in which the similitude is peculiarly appropriate. There are those whose sins have, by reason of enormity and repetition, deserved and received no ordinary punishment in this life. And amongst such there are not a few whom the pity, the wisdom, and the power of our Saviour-God have preserved from destruction, and who abide living witnesses to his delivering might and grace. APPLICATION, Here is encouragement for those who labour for the conversion and salvation of the degraded and debased. Even such, though nigh unto burning, may be plucked by Divine mercy from the flames of judgment.-T. Ver. 12.-" Prepare to meet thy God." Forbearance has its limits, and probation is not for ever. Discipline itself is temporary, and, when the purposes of God concerning men are fulfilled, will come to an end. There is a time for preparation, and then after that comes the time for reckoning and for recompense. I. THE PEBBONS DIBECTED TO PREPARE FOB TmS MEETING. 1. Especially the dis- obedient, the threatened, the chastened. The previous verses make it evident that it was to these that the admonition was particularly addressed. The people of Israel, as a whole, bad departed from God, and had been censurecl and chastened by God. It seems to have been in consequence of their impenitence and obduracy that they were addressed in the solemn language of the text. 2. Yet the appeal bas surely reference to such as were learning the lessons so powerfully though so painfully inculcated by Divine providence. Thore were individuals disposed to profit by the awful dispensa- tions that were befalling the nation, and by the faithful admonitions addressed by inspired prophets. II. THE EVENT DESCRIBED As A MEETING WITH GoD. 1. It is not to be supposed that there is ever a time when God is not in immediate contact with bis creatures. We meet him at every turn, we meet him at every moment. His eye is ever upon us, his hand is ever over us. "Whither shall we flee from his presence ? " To the pious soul this thought is grateful, congenial, welcome. To the irreligious soul this thought should be productive of sincere humiliation and penitence. 2. There are, however, occasions appointed by the providence of God upon which the sons of men are con- strained, manifestly and unmistakably, to meet their God. Nations meet God in national crises, in solemn conjunctures of incident, of probation, of destiny. Indi- viduals meet God in critical events in human life, in remarkable experiences of the inevitable incidence of the moral law of Gud. 3. All Scripture declares that there is a future judgment, when all the intelligent aud accountable shall be summoned into the Divine presence and before the Divine tribunal. "After death the judgment;" "Then shall every man give account of himself to God." We are directed to keep this day of account before our view, and to live in prospect of it. III. THE PREPARATION HERE ENJOINED. 1. In character it must be thorough aud sincere. Nothing hypocritical or superficial can suffice. For the meeting anticipated is with him who is the Searcher of all hearts. 2. lu nature it must consist of true repen- tance and true faith. A turning of the heart from evil, and a turning unto God,-these are essential. Unfeigned repentance and cordial faith are indispensable. 3. In manifes- tation it must be in conformity with Divine requirements. If thou wouldst meet God with holy confidence, then must thou " do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God."-T. Ver. 13.-77ie majesty of God. This and several other passages in this book of prophecy prove to us that Amos was a man who lived much in communiDn with nature and nature's God. A herdsman and a gatherer of figs, be passed bis earlier years, not in towns, in palaces, iu libraries, in_ schools, in the temple, hut_ ~neath the open sky, and in the presence of the solemmty, the grandeur, the sublimity, of the works of the Eternal. He had climbed the mountains of J,udiea, had gazed upon.  THE BOOK OF AMOS. [on. 1v. 1--,13..