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"Its end like a bitter day"

Text: Amos 8:10

A CONFIRMING SIGN

The punitive judgment of the Lord would be confirmed with a special sign. This sign has deep significance.

“‘And it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the Lord GOD,
‘That I will make the sun go down at noon,
And I will darken the earth in broad daylight;
I will turn your feasts into mourning,
And all your songs into lamentation;
I will bring sackcloth on every waist,
And baldness on every head;
I will make it like mourning for an only son,
And its end like a bitter day.'”
Amos 8:9-10

1. “‘And it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the Lord GOD”

a) These prophetic words would come to pass.

b) The Lord God Himself has sworn with an oath.

2. Deep darkness at noon time

a) This would be an extraordinary event.

b) This would indicate God’s great anger and judgment.

c) Such an occurrence took place the day that Jesus died on the cross (Mark 15:33).

3. Dramatic and depressing consequences

a) Celebratory feasts

These feasts would be turned to mourning.

b) Glorious songs

Feast days were usually celebrated with wonderful songs.

But these songs would now be songs of lamentation.

c) Happy clothes

It was normal to wear special or new clothes on feast days.

But sackcloth would now be worn on the waist.

d) Baldness

Baldness instead of a rich head of hair would occur. Worries and sadness would affect health adversely.

4. Grim description

a) Few things would hurt as badly as the death of an only son.

b) It would be a very bitter end indeed.

c) This was the fate that awaited unrepentant Israel.

These words of warning had to be proclaimed solemnly to Israel by the prophet Amos.