The Time Is Ripe (Amos 8:2)

 


Wednesday, July 24, 2024


Psalms 56; 57

Amos 7:10-8:3

Romans 2:12-24


The Time Is Ripe (Amos 8:2)


Amos lived on the land. He looked after sheep, and from what we read today, we discover he also ran cattle, and dabbled in fruit growing. These “sycamore-figs” that he refers to need a bit more care than other fruit, requiring the grower to go and tend the fruit as it hangs on the tree, to make sure it grows and ripens correctly.


So when Amaziah tries to tell him off, accusing him of being a professional prophet, Amos responds by telling him he knows what he’s talking about. Amos is in connection with the world around him in a way that Amaziah, in the court of the king, is not. He can read the times. And the time is ripe.


The time is ripe now, too. We stand on the edge of a historical precipice, where global and local events can go either way. As Christians, we are in connection with the world around us in a way that those who ignore the spiritual signs are not. We can read the times. And the time is ripe.


Amos prophesied that the time was ripe for a harvesting of judgement upon Israel. That the ancient kingdom had sown for themselves a harvest of greed and unfaithfulness.


Our harvest is one of love and faithfulness. Jesus is the Lord of the harvest, and he has sent us out as workers into the field. The time is ripe for us to bring in this harvest; to proclaim God’s love and justice wherever God has placed us.


God is telling you who and what to pray for. Are you listening? And are you confident that God is working through your prayers to bring about those blessings for which you pray?


God of the ages, you hold all time in the palm of your hand. Show me where I need to be and what I need to do, so that I can be in the right place when the time is ripe.

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