10/14/2020 FRUIT
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…” Then THE LORD said, “This fruit represents my people Israel…” [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 Israel for their sin. GOD was going to punish Israel because the people had disobeyed GOD. They had broken covenant with GOD by repeatedly worshipping idols. The wealthy elite was becoming rich at the expense of the poor, stealing even their “smallest crumbs” with taxes, fines, and unjust interest rates. There were 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 7 and 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 (in the 7th chapter), Amos seems to persuade GOD not to carry out the punishment on Israel that GOD described to Amos in these two visions. However, in the 8th chapter, GOD gives Amos the third vision. GOD shows Amos a basket of summer, ripe fruit. The kind of ripe fruit Amos saw may have included strawberries, peaches, blueberries, or cherries. In the hot Middle East sun, this type of ripe summer fruit would not have lasted long. The fruit would turn brown. It would become soft. It would have decayed, spawn mold, began to 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 too long. Like molding, ripe summer fruit—the stench of Israel’s sin had become too great. It had to be “dealt with.” GOD would not defer punishment any longer. The people and the nation of Israel were accountable to God and now it was judgment time.
Fruit
There are a number of reasons why fresh fruit is a part of healthy eating. Fruits are a good source of essential vitamins and nutrients, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C and people who incorporate fruits as part of a healthy diet tend to reduce their risk of chronic diseases. Some of the benefits include the following:
- Potassium – Potassium helps to maintain healthy blood pressure. It also helps to guard against bone loss and reduces the risk of kidney stones.
Fruit Sources: Include: bananas, prunes, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, orange juice, avocados, figs - Fiber – Fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease. It also is important to proper bowel function, reducing constipation and diverticulosis.
Fruit Sources: Include: raspberries, apples (most of the fiber is in the peel); bananas, oranges, strawberries, mangos. Remember, fruit juice contains little or no fiber. - Vitamin C - Important for the growth and repair of body tissues, wound and cut healing care, healthy gums and teeth.
Fruit Sources: Include: citrus sources (e.g. oranges, grapefruit), cantaloupe, pineapple, watermelon, kiwi, mango - Antioxidants – These are substances that fight off free radicals, unstable atoms, that may increase aging, damage healthy cells, and cause cancer. There is also some research that berries high in antioxidants that may benefit the brain.
Fruit Sources: Include: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and other berry fruits.
See https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120307145825.htm; https://www.creativehealthyfamily.com/top-10-reasons-why-you-need-to-eat-fruit/; https://www.choosemyplate.gov/eathealthy/fruits/fruits-nutrients-health.