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"As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion"

Text: Amos 3:12

A PUZZLING ILLUSTRATION

A puzzling word was given by the Lord to Amos on the fate of Samaria, Israel after the invasion by Ashdod and Egypt.

“Thus says the LORD:
As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion
Two legs or a piece of an ear,
So shall the children of Israel be taken out
Who dwell in Samaria-
In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!”
Amos 3:12

1. “Thus says the LORD”

a) Obviously, this word was from the Lord God.

b) But what did this mean exactly?

2. “As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion”

a) This is reminiscent of David’s testimony to King Saul.

b) David testified of how he fought off a bear and a lion.

c) He delivered the lamb from its mouth.

d) He even killed the bear and the lion on separate occasions (1 Samuel 17:34-36).

e) Did Samaria feel that the same thing would happen to the nation?

f) That God would somehow bring about deliverance?

3. The difference in this context

a) Samaria had sinned grievously against the Lord.

b) It had not repented of its many sins.

c) How could they expect divine deliverance?

4. Samaria experiencing the mercy of the Lord

a) God would grant His mercy yet.

b) But Samaria would have been severely mauled already.

c) Look at the description of the victim:

i) Two legs

ii) A piece of an ear

d) Who may be rescued?

A pathetic description of the remnant who may be delivered.

Those “in the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch” – a picture of defeat and dejection!