The Destroyer and the Rescuer
R. Berry. 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."