"The LORD roars from Zion"
Text: Amos 1:2
THE USE OF IMAGERY
One of the more challenging things to do in reading the Prophetic Books, is the comprehension of the imagery used by the writers. The original readers would understand the use of imagery, but centuries later, we would need to ponder over the language of the prophets carefully and prayerfully.
“And he said:
‘The LORD roars from Zion,
And utters His voice from Jerusalem;
The pastures of the shepherds mourn,
And the top of Carmel withers.'”
Amos 1:2
1. “And he said”
a) This is a reference to Amos.
b) He had seen and understood what the Lord has shown him.
c) He must become the voice of the Lord as His prophet.
2. “The LORD”
a) This is an important name of the Lord.
b) It is a special title.
c) It was historically given and revealed to Moses (Exodus 6:3).
i) God revealed Himself to Abraham as God Almighty.
ii) He was now revealing Himself as LORD.
iii) Associated with this name is the Covenant that would be given to Israel.
d) Amos reminds Israel of who God is!
i) He is the LORD who had establish a Covenant with Israel.
ii) Israel has a Covenantal relationship with the LORD.
iii) Israel had miserably failed the LORD and had not honoured their Covenant.
3. “The LORD roars from Zion”
a) The roar of the LORD:
i) The imagery of a lion was employed; like a lion God roars.
ii) With great authority and power God roars out a message.
iii) Just as a lion is to be feared when it roars, so is God to be feared.
b) Zion was the spiritual habitation of God.
c) The great LORD God has spoken and He must be heard with regard and awe.