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Daily Devotions

Amos

Amos 
Day 
Day 73

"We dare not mention the name of the LORD."

Text: Amos 6:10

A GRIM PICTURE

A grim picture of what would take place when Israel would be invaded and conquered by the Assyrians was described in this text. This was a solemn reminder to Israel of the Day of the Lord that would befall the unrepentant nation!

“Then it shall come to pass,
that if ten men remain in one house, they shall die.
And when a relative of the dead, with one who will burn the bodies,
picks up the bodies to take them out of the house,
he will say to one inside the house, ‘Are there any more with you?’
Then someone will say, ‘None.’
And he will say, ‘Hold your tongue!
For we dare not mention the name of the LORD.”
Amos 6:9-10

1. “Then it shall come to pass, that if ten men remain in one house, they shall die”

a) This was a grim description of death in Israel.
b) Even in the large household all would perish.

2. “A relative of the dead”

a) This would be the norm.
b) Relatives would bury their kinsmen.

3. Burning of the bodies

a) The usual method was burial.
b) Sometimes, as in this instance, cremation would take place.
c) Two possible reasons:
i) The dead may have been badly diseased, thus cremation would be the wisest thing to do.
ii) Too many people to bury at the same time and this would have been too costly.
Perhaps even relatives may not be able or willing to pay for the burials.

4. An unusual conversation

a) It is not normal to raise this question in the event of death.
“Are there any more with you?”
b) No condolences were offered at all.
c) The reply was curt “None!” This too was unusual. No sorrow was expressed.

5. Unusual word of advice given

a) The relative was told to say nothing more.
b) They did not dare to mention the name of the LORD for fear of offending Him further!