Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel; and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought; that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth—Jehovah, the God of hosts, is his name. Amos 4:12–13

God has visited Israel with many judgments in the past. These were sent to induce Israel to repent. Even though the people had suffered greatly, none of these woes led to repentance. Now what? Will he leave them where they are? Will he now cast off his people? Men would judge that he had gone far enough. This people is not worthy of further attention. But God does not judge according to man’s standards. Mercy is not forgotten even in his judgments.

Because Israel would not listen to previous judgments, God will now use different tactics. “Ye have not returned unto me…therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel.”

The question immediately arises, What will he now do to them? The previous judgments were clearly described. Now he will do “thus” unto them. To say the least, this is vague. In fact, he doesn’t say at all what he is going to do to them. Israel is left in the dark. We are here reminded of the formula of the oath as it was employed in Old Testament times: “God do so to me and more also.” This was also a very indefinite statement. Why does God speak to Israel in this way? Surely, he has a judgment in mind which will be more terrible than all those which have gone before. Why does he not tell them what that judgment will be? He speaks as he does to instill fear in the hearts of his people. The third commandment is similar in its wording. “Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” He does not say how he will punish, but the individual will not be held guiltless. So God now warns Israel. Former calamities have not had the desired effect, but this judgment will be decisive.

         

           

How will Israel be able to prepare itself to meet this coming calamity? It is so vague, so indefinite. They know not what is coming. God gives the answer. None of the other calamities caused them to return to God. Now, because he will do this to them, they must prepare to meet him. They will not be able to avoid this meeting.

The words “Prepare to meet thy God” have been interpreted and applied in various ways. We may never do violence to the context in which these words appear. The context determines the interpretation and the scope of the application.

Israel’s meeting with God is inevitable. Nothing will prevent this meeting. They must therefore prepare for it. Will they be able to stand before him when they are summoned? They should look at this very carefully. Will they meet him as their equal? Will it be like the meeting of one man with another? They should consider this. If it will not be that kind of meeting, but rather a meeting with one who stands far above them, then they should prepare themselves as one who is to meet his judge. He is speaking to Israel, to the people whom he has chosen.

This people will meet him. As they prepare for this meeting they must look within. They are to come in penitence. If the breach between God and his people is to be healed they will have to meet. This meeting with God will be the end for the unrepentant. But in that meeting there is life for those who come in penitence. In the following chapter Amos speaks of seeking Jehovah in order to live (Amos 5:4, 6, 14). He wiJ] not continue to send judgments to which the people will react as they please. The die is cast. He will summon them to appear before him. How he will summon them is left undefined, but the fact is certain. Now, then. prepare for that meeting! He still warns—he gives them time.

The last verse of this chapter is a doxology. However, it is not a doxology which has no connection with the previous thought. Israel is called to prepare to meet its God. That preparation will be determined by the nature of their God. Who is he? To that question he gives an answer in this verse.

Their God is the almighty Creator of heaven and earth. He it is who formed the mountains and created the wind. This is the God whom they are to meet. Man was to have dominion over aU things. He was to subdue the earth. Man has made giant strides in this direction. His success has often blinded him to the fact that he is still a dependent creature. Regardless how much man may have accomplished, God is infinitely greater. He made the mountains! Man uses the wind, God created it. Let Israel never give place to the mistaken notion that it can meet God as an equal.

Not only is God the almighty Creator; he also declares to man his thoughts. God knows the thoughts which man has never expressed. He was able to see whether or not Israel’s worship was genuine. They cannot stand before him with excuses. He will therefore also be the perfect Judge when they meet him. Nothing will be hidden from him. Man knows much. His knowledge increases constantly. But God knows everything! There is no comparison. Let them prepare to meet this God of infinite knowledge.

God makes the morning darkness. That is the reverse of the natural order. The morning dispels the darkness. Here the prophet refers to the storm clouds which God forms to hide the light. When these storm clouds gather. man trembles. He stands helpless before these powers of nature. But God treads upon the high places of the earth. He makes the storm clouds. He then walks majestically on them as though they were a carpet.

This is Jehovah, the God of hosts! He has control over all the universe. This is the God whom they are to meet! Careful preparation is required. He summons them. He will still speak to them. He had previously overthrown some of their cities as Sodom and Gomorrah had been overthrown. Sodom did not repent—neither did Israel. However, Sodom’s overthrow was the end; Israel is still called to meet its God. Prepare to meet him, for why will ye die, O house of Israel

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why didn’t God always inform the people what the particular judgment was going to be?

2. Are the words “Prepare to meet thy God” a fit text for preparatory services? Give reasons.

3. What is meant by the common phrase that we must ALWAYS be prepared? What does this involve? Is it possible?

4. Does man’s greater knowledge of the universe usually bring him closer to God or not? Why?

5. Can the thought of the greatness of God lead to penitence? Is general revelation a good avenue of approach to the unbeliever?