The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 110

cumstances-the one with every comfort and care, as if" born under a lucky star,.. and sharing "the sweet influences of Pleiades;" the other in the drunken home, with curses temporal and moral on every side. These children do not choose their lot, they do not appear to deserve treatment so different; yet their circumstances are not the result of chance nor the decree of blind fate, but are to be ascribed to him" who made the seven stars and Orion," and, as the Judge of all the earth, he will do right. (Sugges~ other examples of seeming unfairness in men's circumstances.) This Divine revela- tion in Scripture affirms of God that he appoints the lot of each, and this with a vie~ to the training of character, which far outweighs the pleasantness or the painfulness found in mere circumstances. Adversity will by-and-by appear to be but a small thing to him who amidst it proved himself faithful, aud prosperity will seem in the- retrospect of little worth to him who, through his thanklessness and prayerlessness, has failed to "lay hold on eternal life." Whatever influences surround us, we are, for our own sakes, called on to recognize God as overruling them. If we are prosperous, it is "the Lord who gives power to get wealth;" if we are in adversity, we are not to blame our luck or our friends, but to seek the comfort and help of him" who maketh the seven stars and Orion." II. THAT GOD OVERRULES THE INWABD EX."';:.U[ENCE OF MEN. "He turneth the shadow of death into the morning," etc. The Hebrew word translated "shadow of death" almost always means more than natural night, however black that may be (see refer- ences in Job and Psalms). AdmitLing this figurative use of the word here, the reference· of the prophet would seem to be to the changes from sorrowfulness to joyfulness, and from joyfulness to sorrowfulness, which we frequently experience. These are not dependent on circumstances. The wealthiest men have often said of their surround- ings, "I have no pleasure in them;" while the poor and persecuted have sometimes made their miserable abodes resound with praise. We may illustrate this from the life of our Lord. At one time "he rejoiced in spirit," at another time he was "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death ; " yet the Father's hand was recognized in both experiences. God inspires the children's songs, and he gives the cup of agony. What abundant reason we have to praise God for certain inward changes-the carelessness turned into serious and sad penitence, and this again into the joyfulness of pardon I To many a weeping penitent, sitting in darkness, he has come and "turned the shadow of death into morning." Others have been in the darkness of doubt. They have cried," Why hast thou forsaken me? " They have felt around them for some hand to help in their dire extremity. At last the sense of Christ's love has come home to them, and though their questions are not all answered, they believe in him, and enter into rest, and soon they find that "he that believeth does not walk in darkness, but has the light of life." God turns for them the shadow of death into morning. Soon " the shadow feared of man" will come. Yet even the darkness of death shall be transformed into the bright- ness of heaven; and in the place where "there is no need of the sun or moon to shine," because God himself is the Light thereof, we shall see how God has for evermore turned the shadow of death into morning. III. THAT GoD TRANSFORMS CURSES INTO BLESSINGS. God" calls for the waters of the sea." They secretly ascend to heaven, and then descend in refreshing showers. The transformation effected in that phenomenon is noteworthy. If we pour sea water on flowers, they will die ; but when it is called up into the heavens the pernicious salt is left behind, the water is purged from its destructiveness, and tha curse is made a blessing. A transforming influence passes over all that comes to us, if it is caught up· to heaven. Suppose prosperity comes to you. It may enervate and destroy your spiritual life, but if praise to God is associated with it, and habitual prayer that you may use this for God, you may become by your very prosperity a more generous, tender-hearted, and Christ-like man. If adversity is yours, and you take :ill your troubles before the Lord, they will be transfigured before you in the light of God's love and Christ's sufferings, and through your valley of Achor you will enter into deeper rest and nobler hope. If doubts or temptations try you, they will not curse, but bless you, if they arouse the earnest prayer, "Lord, help me 1•· Christ was never more precious to Thomas than when, after his doubts, he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God I" But his doubts would have ruined him had they kept him from the presence f)f the Lord. Let all your troubles and joys be wafted, by prayer and praise, into the,  ilO THE IlOOK OF AMOS. [err. v. l-2i.