The Destroyer and the Rescuer
Amos 3:12
Thus said the LORD; As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear…


I. THERE IS A DESTROYING POWER AT WORK IN THE WORLD.

1. Variously represented. Here, the lion devouring the sheep. In New Testament, "the roaring," etc.; in Old Testament, "the serpent beguiling," etc.; in New Testament, "that old serpent," etc.

2. His doings are described. Paradise ruined; Abel murdered; the old world destroyed; Sodom and Gomorrah burned; mankind desolated by pestilence, plague, war, famine, physical tortures, burning anxieties — souls lost.

3. He possesses mighty power. Called "prince of the power of the air"; "ruler of the darkness," etc. Unites an angel's strength with a fiend's malignity. Has great power, but not all power.

4. Possessed of supreme subtlety. An angel of light, a lurking beast, a hidden serpent. Marvellously skilful in adapting temptation and detecting opportunities. Persuades those in most danger that they are most safe.

II. THERE IS A RESCUING POWER AT WORK IN THE WORLD. He is possessed of all power, and of all wisdom.

III. GOD IS READY TO RECEIVE EVEN THE FRAGMENTS. Nothing was left but " two legs and a piece of an ear," vet the shepherd rescues and accepts these.

1. Total destruction was very near:

2. None need despair.

3. None may presume.

IV. THAT WHICH IS RESCUED IS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. "Two legs " — motion, activity. "Piece of an ear." "Faith cometh by hearing," etc. God speaks to the heart through the ear.

(R. Berry.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

WEB: Thus says Yahweh: "As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be rescued who sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed."




A Miserable Remnant
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