The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 191

II. THAT THERE ARE TESTING-TIMBS IN wmoB BUOB DIVERSITY ABBERTB ITSELF, 'l'he earth is here_ rep:esented e.s a great sievo, in which Tsrool shou~d ~ ceaselessly tossed, that the evil might be lost and the good saved. The process 1s still carried on. There are testing-times here, and there will be 11. testing-time hereafter. 1. Preaching, for example, t>ometimes so disturbs conscience, that on self-examination tho ma.n sees what is true and false in his character. Many a hearer ha.s thus been led to ask, "Am I as the chaff which the wind driveth e.we.y?" 2. .Ajfliction is 11. sievo for testing character. Job was an example of this. His distresses revealed him to himself and to his friend~; e.nd not a grain of wheat (of that which was worth preserving) was lost. Show how this is still true of the afflicted. Illness, bereavement, losses, eto., lead to serious thought, ·and while they sometimes destroy unfounded hopes, they give more confidenco in that "hope which is the true anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast." 3. Tempta- tion is a revealer of character. Compare the text with our Lord's words "Simon Simon, behold, Satan bath desired to have you, that he may sift you e.s wh:iat: but i have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." What a revelation to Peter of his weak- ness and presumption was his denial I Illustrate by the story of the two houses, built the one on the rock, the other on the sand (Matt. vii. 24---27). Thus we may test ourselves.. If the op~rtu!lity offers itself to gratify some p&BSion secretly, without the least risk of detection, 1s the reply, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? " or is the opportunity gladly seized to enjoy " the pleasures of sin for a season"? 4. Persecution tests character. It is easy to deceive ourselves when all our associations are religions. But let these be changed for worldly, sceptical, or immoral surroundings, and the reality of our religious life is proved. Then, either we say, " We must obey God rather the.n man," and our character is ennobled by the struggle, or the old prayer is omitted, the old Bible neglected, and the old infiuences blotted out of memory. All such tests e.s we have mentioned are sent in mercy, to lead to self- examine.tion, a.nd, if need be, to repentance; but Christ draws the veil of the future, and tells us further of a day when the secrets of all hearts sball be disclosed, and: 5. When the joogm,ent of God, according to equity, will be declared. You may escape all other trials, but you will not escape that. Affliction may leave you untouched. Amidst persecution and temptation your reputation may be unscathed. But death will scatter all delusions, and from it, and from tha.t judgment to which it learls, there is no escape (see ver. 3, "And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel," etc.). On that day there shall be "the manifestation of the sons of God;" the secret life will· be commended, and the quiet service recompensed. With others the vain show will be over, the veil of outward respectability rent asunder, and the words will be heard, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity I" Then there will come the separation, as between the sheep and the goats, the tares and the wheat, the corn and the chaff. Men may have met in the sa.me church, heard the same gospel, lived in the same home, yet above the portal of heaven is this inexorable law," And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that de.6.leth, ... but they that are written in the Lamb's book of life." Still the words hold good, " Whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life;" "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" "Among thy saints ma.y I be found," etc. I fil THAT OVER THE TESTING PBOOES8 Goo WATCHES AND RULES BO TB.AT NOTHING TRUE AND NOTHING GOOD M.AY BE LOST. "For, lo, I will command . . . yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth" (comp. Ma.I. iii. 3). Our text is true in a much broader sense than thaJ; in which we ha.ve attempted to deal with it. ]. In changes amongst the nations, where there seems little but confusion and unrest, God rules. He is testing and purifying his own people. Not a. grain of his purpose will fall to the earth. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Word sha.11 not pe.ss awa.y." 2. Movements take p'lace in ecdesiastical life. One system makes room for another. The Old Testament economy with its ceremonies, the apostolic Church with its simplicity, the medieval Church with its superstitions, etc., a.II were changed, yet of all tho praises and prayers offered through past ages not a grain fell to the earth. 3. In dogmatic theology changes are still going on. Formularies and phrases die out, but the truth iu them is not lost. Christ lives and reigns still, and" of his dominion there shall be no end." That which is saved by God is" the grain," that which has life in it; and planted io the earth, it sh~ll be developed in new forms of strength and beauty.  OH, IX, 1-15,] TIIE IlOOK OF AMOS. 193