Amo 8:2 | KingComments | STEP | The question “What do you see, Amos?” (cf. ), forces Amos to look closely and answer. In this way, he becomes intensely involved in the vision. God wants us to really see what He shows and not give our own vision of what He shows. This is also important in view of what He says in His Word. It does not suit us to say ‘I do not see it that way’ when God has clearly shown in His Word how He thinks about certain things. In the same way, every time we read God’s Word, the question of the Lord comes to us, where He mentions our name, just like with Amos: ‘What do you see …?’ The question to Amos is clear and not difficult to answer. His answer is exactly what God shows. That is why he is told what the meaning is. Herein lies also for us the secret of growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” ( ). When we ‘see’ what God shows in the Bible, He makes its meaning clear. He then gives us insight into His thoughts. The summer fruit shows that the end is certain and also near. In Hebrew there is a play on words. The word for summer fruit is pronounced almost the same as the word for ‘end’ in: “The end has come for My people Israel.” The verdict “I will spare them no longer”, literally “I will pass him by no longer” (cf. ), will bring mourning over Israel, as it did over Egypt at the time ( ). If people do not put an end to sin in their lives, God must put an end to man, even if it concerns His people Israel.

‏ Amos 8:2

Ripe for Judgment

The question “What do you see, Amos?” (cf. Amos 7:8), forces Amos to look closely and answer. In this way, he becomes intensely involved in the vision. God wants us to really see what He shows and not give our own vision of what He shows. This is also important in view of what He says in His Word. It does not suit us to say ‘I do not see it that way’ when God has clearly shown in His Word how He thinks about certain things. In the same way, every time we read God’s Word, the question of the Lord comes to us, where He mentions our name, just like with Amos: ‘What do you see …?’

The question to Amos is clear and not difficult to answer. His answer is exactly what God shows. That is why he is told what the meaning is. Herein lies also for us the secret of growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18). When we ‘see’ what God shows in the Bible, He makes its meaning clear. He then gives us insight into His thoughts.

The summer fruit shows that the end is certain and also near. In Hebrew there is a play on words. The word for summer fruit is pronounced almost the same as the word for ‘end’ in: “The end has come for My people Israel.”

The verdict “I will spare them no longer”, literally “I will pass him by no longer” (cf. Amos 7:8), will bring mourning over Israel, as it did over Egypt at the time (Amos 8:10). If people do not put an end to sin in their lives, God must put an end to man, even if it concerns His people Israel.