The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 80

.f.i'rom the time of, man's fall the all-merciful Father bas been calling men to return from their evil ways. Adam was encouraged to hope in his mercy. The antediluvians were faithCully warned through Noah, the preacher of righteousness. Israel was con- stantly being exhorted by the inspired prophets. John the Baptist had as the burden of his preaching this same word "prepare;" and it bas come ringing down the centuries to make itself heard among us also. I. THE JUDGMENT ll'OBETOLD. It is clear that the rererence is to a snmmons to the tribunal of God, the Judge ofquick and dead. There is a sense in which we may meet God in the study of bis wonderful works in nature; in the strange and sometimes startling events of his providence; in the pages of his Word; in earnest supplication at his footstool. But another special and more solemn occasion is alluded to in our text--ilven that day when the great white throne will be set, and every man will have to give an account of all the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. 1. That fudgment is certain to come. Even nature seems to point onward to some crisis in the future of our race. Conscience warns us that sin cannot always go unpunished, for the world is governed by a God of righteousness. Scripture constantly affirms that be has appointed a day in the which he will judge the world by that Man whom he has ordained. 2. It is quite uncertain when it will come. " Of that day and of that hour knoweth no man." It will come suddenly and unexpectedly, as a thief in the night. Death will end our time of probation, and no one knows where and when it may meet him. Therefore "prepare to meet thy God." 3. When it comes the trial will be thorough and final. All actions, together with their motives, are under the Divine cognizance. None will escape hie notice. No false excuses will avail; and, on the other hand, no mere errors will be condemned as if they were wilful sins. The good will be severed from the evil, as our Lord teaches us in the parables of the drag-net and the tares of the field. II. THE PBEPABATION NEEDED. We should not be nrged to "prepare" unless by nature we were unprepared. It is merciful of our Judge to give us warning, counsel, and opportunity. He willeth not the death of a sinner, but would rather that he should repent and live. Had it not been possible for us to make ready, had he wished us only to hurry onward to a certain doom, we should not have heard this exhortation. But he gives us forewarning in many ways, and at certain seasons with peculiar force; e.g. when death enters'our family, or some accident befalls ourselves. 1. We need aeZJ- ea;amination. "Know thyself" was the advice of a heathen philosopher; but it is worth heeding by us all. We want the illumination of God's Spirit and the instruction of God's Word to aid us. "The candle of the Lord" must throw its rays into the recesses of our hearts. 2. We need confe8sion and repentance. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous- ness." 3. We need faith in the atonement of Jesus. It is said of all sinners who safely pass the great tribunal and enter into the heavenly world, "They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." III. THE BEASONB URGED. These appear in the next verse. 1. God is omnipotent. "He formeth the mountains." The mightiest cannot resist him; the most subtle will not escape him. 2. God is omniscient. "He declareth unto man what is bis thought." He is the Searcher of hearts (Ps. cx.xxix. 2; Jer. xvii. 10). Nothing eludes his notice. There is warning in this thought for the wicked; and there is comfort for the righteous, because these may reflect that their unspoken prayers, and their secret self-denials, and their unfulfilled purposes, are all recognized by him. They are represented by our Lord (Matt. xxv. 37-40) as being surprised at reward coming for acts which they thought little of or had quite forgotten. "God is not unfaithful to forget your work of faith and labour of love." Apply the words of the exhortation to the careless.-A. R. Vere. 4, 5.- Worship abounding with abounding sin. '' Come to Bethel, and trans,. grass; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning," etc. "The language of these verses," says Henderson, "is that of the keenest irony. The Israelites were addicted to the worship of the golden calf, and to that of idols, whereby they contracted guilt before Jehovah, and exposed themselves to his judgments; at the same time, they hypocritically profe:;sed to keep up the observance of certain feasts 80 THE BOOK OF AMOS. [011, IV. 1-13..