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"The songs of the temple shall be wailing in that day"

Text: Amos 8:3

A SAD PROPHETIC WORD OF JUDGMENT

God was bringing to an end the nation that He had raised! The nation of Israel had proven itself unworthy of receiving the mercies and blessings of God!

“‘And the songs of the temple
Shall be wailing in that day,’
says the Lord GOD-
‘Many dead bodies everywhere,
They shall be thrown out in silence.'”
Amos 8:3

1. “The songs of the temple”

a) Temples conduct worship services.

b) The singing of songs was a natural part of worship.

c) Bethel was the site of a major temple where king Jeroboam worshipped.

2. “‘Shall be wailing in that day’ says the Lord GOD”

a) Wailing would be heard in the place of singing.

b) This was the prophetic word Amos proclaimed as from the Lord.

c) “Wailing” is the antonym of “Singing” in this context.

3. “Many dead bodies everywhere”

a) Amos had warned of war.

b) He had warned the nation of impending war many times.

c) One of the deadly consequences of war:

i) Many will die by the sword.

ii) Others will die because of pestilence.

iii) Still others will die because of starvation.

iv) All in all, many dead bodies will be found scattered here and there.

4. “They shall be thrown out in silence”

a) Usually when death occurs there is deep mourning

i) By family members.

ii) By close friends.

b) The dead bodies would be shown little dignity, if at all.

i) Some would simply be “thrown out”.

ii) This describes those who may be hired to haul away dead bodies when they are found.