Hi Doves

I was studying Amos and found some interesting things which I would like to humbly share with everyone:

Ministry of the Watchman

The prophet Amos (whose name means “burdened”) represents the Lord's faithful watchmen who call out sin and compromise in the apostate church. This is clearly a difficult and burdensome ministry as many Christians today have fallen in love with the gospel of prosperity, materialism and easy compromise and are reluctant to hear their warnings of the coming judgement.

Amos was a sycamore fig farmer and occupied the most humble position in the society of his day as no one but the poorest cultivated sycamore figs for it was very hard labor.

Sycamore figs are pollinated by fig wasps who squeeze their way into a tiny opening at the bottom of the floret (multiple flower) pollinating each and every tiny flower inside and laying their eggs within. Once the floret is pollinated it starts to ripen and releases a fragrant aroma. However, in order to harvest edible fruit, the sycamore fig farmer has to pinch or pierce each and every fruit in order to kill the fig wasp larvae to prevent them from spoiling the fruit.

This metaphor of the sycamore fig so aptly describes the preparation a believer undergoes before they are able to accept and understand the truth: trials and difficulties (fig wasps) are used to turn our hearts back to God and His Word and bring about spiritual maturity needed to understand His plans and purposes.

Amos 7:14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care [balas: gatherer of figs; to pinch figs (a process necessary to ripen them)] of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Shalom, Cecilia