QT 02/11/2025 Sun. Amos 3 A Piece of an Ear – God's Justice and Mercy 阿摩司书 3 耳朵的一角——神的公义与怜悯
QT 02/11/2025 Sun. Amos 3 A Piece of an Ear – God's Justice and Mercy
READ http://www.esv.org/Amos3
Scripture: Amos 3:12 (ESV)
“Thus says the LORD: ‘As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.’” — Amos 3:12
Reflection: The Warning of Judgment, The Hope of Mercy
This is one of the most striking images in the book of Amos — a shepherd pulling scraps from a lion’s mouth: a piece of an ear, two legs. It’s a picture of devastation. The sheep is gone. What remains is only enough to prove that it existed.
And God says, “So shall the people of Israel be rescued.” Not fully. Not triumphantly. But barely — like wreckage pulled from a fire. What an unsettling word.
Amos prophesied to a wealthy, complacent Israel — people who lived in luxury (on couches and beds, v. 12) and thought they were secure, even while injustice, idolatry, and spiritual hypocrisy ruled the land. God had called Israel into covenant relationship with Him (Amos 3:2), but they ignored His voice, hardened their hearts, and trusted in their status, not their obedience.
God’s Judgment Is Just
Amos 3 is clear: judgment is coming, and it is deserved. God had sent prophets, warnings, and signs, but the people refused to return to Him. The picture of partial rescue shows both the severity of sin and the inevitability of judgment.
Let this be a reminder: God is holy. He cannot ignore sin — not in ancient Israel, not today. To belong to Him is not just privilege; it is accountability.
God’s Mercy Still Remains
But even in judgment, there’s a glimpse of hope. The rescue may be minimal, but it is still rescue. God does not utterly wipe out His people. A remnant survives — not because they deserve it, but because of His mercy.
This is the gospel thread in Amos: even when all seems lost, God leaves a witness. Even when judgment falls, there is grace for those who repent and return.
The image also foreshadows Christ — the ultimate Shepherd who came to rescue us not just from the lion’s mouth, but from sin and death itself. Where Israel was torn apart by its unfaithfulness, Jesus was torn for our unfaithfulness. He went to the cross so we wouldn’t have to face only scraps of salvation — but the fullness of life.
Application:
(1) Examine your comforts. Are you trusting in security, status, or luxury like Israel? What sins are being ignored?
(2) Listen to God’s voice. Amos warns those who stop listening. Open your heart to correction and truth.
(3) Cling to mercy. Even in judgment, God provides hope. Jesus is our full rescue, not just a piece of an ear, but the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to trust in comfort, position, or outward religion. Open my ears to Your voice, even when it brings conviction. I confess my sin and my need for mercy. Thank You for Jesus, the Shepherd who came not just to pull scraps from the mouth of death, but to fully save and redeem. Teach me to walk humbly and faithfully with You. In Christ’s name, Amen.
QT 02/11/2025 星期日. 阿摩司书 3 耳朵的一角——神的公义与怜悯
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/amo/3/
经文：阿摩司书3:12
耶和华这样说：“牧人从狮子口中，只能夺回一双羊腿和一角耳朵；住在撒玛利亚的以色列人获救也是这样，他们只剩下一角床榻，半边褥子（“他们只剩下一角床塌，半边褥子”，这句原文意义不详，或译：“他们躺卧在华丽的床上，睡在铺上绣花毯子的榻上”）。
默想：审判的警告，怜悯的盼望
这是阿摩司书中最震撼的意象之一——牧人从狮口拽出残骸：半截耳朵，两条腿。这是毁灭的写照。羊已不在，仅存的残骸仅能证明它的存在。
神却宣告：“以色列民也必如此被救。”并非全然得救，更非凯旋而归，而是侥幸存活——如同从火场中拖出的残骸。何等令人不安的宣告。
阿摩司向富足安逸的以色列人发预言——他们沉溺奢华（卧榻安卧，12节），自以为稳如泰山，纵然不义、偶像崇拜与属灵伪善已遍布全地。神曾召以色列与祂立约（阿摩司书3:2），他们却充耳不闻，心硬如石，倚靠地位而非顺服。
神的审判是公义的
阿摩司书第三章宣告：审判必临，且是咎由自取。神曾差遣先知、发出警告、显明神迹，百姓却拒绝归向祂。部分得救的景象既彰显罪的严重性，也昭示审判的必然性。
谨记：神是圣洁的。祂不能容忍罪孽——无论在古代以色列，还是在今日。归属于祂不仅是特权，更是责任。
神的怜悯永存
即便在审判中，仍可见希望的曙光。拯救或许微小，却仍是拯救。神不会彻底灭绝祂的子民，必有余民存留——非因他们配得，乃因祂的怜悯。
这正是阿摩司书中的福音主线：当万物看似倾覆时，神仍留下见证；当审判降临时，悔改归回者仍蒙恩典。
这画面亦预示基督——那位终极牧者，祂来拯救我们，不仅脱离狮口，更脱离罪与死亡本身。以色列因背信遭撕裂，耶稣却为我们的背信被撕裂。祂上十字架，使我们得享的非但救恩残羹，乃是生命的丰盛。
应用：
(1) 审视你的安逸。你是否像以色列人般倚靠安全感、地位或奢华？哪些罪被你忽视了？
(2) 聆听神的声音。阿摩司警告那些拒绝倾听者。敞开心扉接受管教与真理。
(3) 紧握怜悯。即便在审判中，神仍赐下盼望。耶稣是我们的完全拯救，不仅是耳根的碎片，更是为羊舍命的良善牧人。
祷告：
主啊，求祢使我不倚靠安逸、地位或外在的宗教。求祢开启我的耳朵听见祢的声音，即使它带来责备。我承认自己的罪，承认需要祢的怜悯。感谢祢
