AMOS 8:1-2 Thus the Lord God showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. And he said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” [Revised Standard translation] Then the Lord said, “This fruit represents my people Israel—ripe for punishment. I will not defer their punishment again. [Living Bible Translation]
Summary
The book of Amos is a book about prophetic justice and judgment. Amos was a prophet---a spokesperson for GOD, predicting and foretelling GOD’s plan for the people, including GOD’s plan to judge and punish the Israelites for their sin. The Israelites had disobeyed God. They had broken their covenant with GOD by repeatedly worshipping idols. The wealthy elite were becoming rich at the expense of the poor, stealing even their “smallest crumbs” with taxes, fines and unjust interest rates. There was rampant corruption and social injustice everywhere, even in the courts. Individual pride, the lust for power and self-interest were more important to the people than GOD or righteousness.
In chapters 7and 8 of the book of Amos, (i.e., The Book of Visions), Amos describes a series of visions from GOD. In the first two vision narratives (the 7th chapter) Amos seems to persuade GOD not to carry out the punishment on Israel. However, in the 8th chapter, GOD gives Amos a third vision. GOD shows Amos a basket of summer ripe fruit. In the hot Middle East sun, this type of ripe summer fruit would not have lasted long. The fruit would turn soft and brown and decay, spawn mold, rot and then smell. Eventually, it would have to be “dealt with.”
Through this vision, GOD lets Amos know that, like ripe rotting fruit, Israel’s sin and social injustices had gone unchecked long enough. The stench of Israel’s sin was too great. It had to be “dealt with.” GOD would not defer HIS punishment any longer. The time was “ripe” for GOD’s judgment and justice.
Fruit v. Fruit Juice
Many food guidelines recommend 2-4 servings of fruit per day. Fruit is rich in vitamins and nutrients and daily consumption of fruit is generally considered necessary for a good health. [Note: If you have a medical condition, your doctor may have other dietary recommendations or restrictions.] However, just as there is a difference between eating molding ripe fruit and eating recently picked “fresh fruit.” There is also a vast difference between eating a piece of fruit (with fiber) and drinking fruit juice and fruit drinks.
For those who are trying to reduce their sugar intake, eating a piece of fruit and drinking a glass of water is a much healthier alternative and a better choice (especially for weight control) than drinking fruit juice.
Fruit juice consumption should be particularly monitored in infants and children.
In “Kids’ Fruit Drinks, Juices Contain Day’s Worth of Sugar,” Robert Preidt reported on a British study that found that many fruit drinks marketed for children (about ½ of them in the study) had at least a child’s entire daily recommended maximum sugar intake of 19 grams (5 teaspoons) of sugar in a single serving. See:www.webmd.com/children/news/20160324/kids-fruit-drinks-juices-contain-days-worth-of-sugar#1.
Likewise, many adult fruit drinks, although vibrant, cool and good tasting, amount to no more than liquid candy. Remember, juicing removes most of the fiber. Generally, it is the fiber in foods and fruits that cuts hunger.
In a slideshow, “Juices, The Best and Worst For Your Health,” WebMD cautions to beware of “juice drinks,” “juice cocktails,” and “juice-flavored beverages.” According to WedMD these usually contain mainly water, a small amount of fruit juice and usually some kind of added sweetener, such as high-fructose corn syrup.
While 100% fruit juice can provide nutrients, like Vitamin C and potassium, WebMD cautions that drinking too much fruit juice can also provide a lot of extra calories and extra sugar. So many experts recommend serving of juice per day.
One juice that WebMD recommends in its “Juice” slideshow is pomegranate juice. Although it is high in sugar and calories, it is great is providing antioxidants, which help to prevent cell damage. According to WebMD pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than green tea. WebMD also recommends cranberry juice (unsweetened), because it is good for the immune system too. It is high in Vitamin C and also prevents buildup of bacteria in the urinary tract. According to WebMD, prune juice has a natural laxative, called sorbitol, which helps relieve constipation and the juice is also packed with antioxidants, iron and potassium.
Orange juice has a lot of Vitamin C and unsweetened orange juice, has fewer calories than grape or berry juices, but you are likely to get less antioxidants. If you buy orange juice that is fortified with Vitamin D and calcium, it will also help with bone health.
See: https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-juice-wars. In general, if you plan to drink juice, drink in moderation, read the juice label and select wisely. Remember, choices matter.
Spiritual Fruit
Not only must we be mindful of the fruit juice we drink and give children, and the fruit we should eat, but we must also be mindful of whether we are “spiritually fruitful.” Like the Israelites during the time of the prophet Amos, our choices have consequence. We are all accountable.
Galatians 5:22 states “the fruit of the [HOLY] SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (See Living Bible translation.)
Be spiritually fruitful, be prayerful and BE BLESSED.
