Figs probably. It was probably figs in that basket of summer fruit that Amos held up to let the people know that the harvest had begun; one season ended and one about to begin. Amos 8.1-7The prophets love to use these kinds of images to hammer home their message of Repent! Repent! They will use anything at hand as a concrete example of the words the Lord has put into their mouth. Jeremiah used his loincloth (read: underwear). There was the 'plumb line' example and one about a camel.
Amos was telling the folks that the harvest was upon them.....and it wasn't going to be pretty. "The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass them by." v2
What makes Amos different is that he was talking about their business practices....their unethical business practices. Let me paraphrase: You can't wait to get out of worship where you proclaim allegiance and honor to God who teaches you to care for the poor and needy. You rush out so you can open your booth in the market and cheat your customers using false scales.
I love you Lord! Thank you Lord for finding me when I was lost! Forgive me Lord when I mess up. Yes, Lord, I hear you call me to care for others, to be generous with all the blessings I receive......and then you sneak off into the market to make as much money as you can by whatever means it takes.
"Surely I will never forget any of their deeds." says the Lord. The harvest has begun. Beware.
This is why no one invites prophets to dinner.
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