Jordanization Exercise

(Amos 3:12)

Thus says the LORD: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.” —Amos chapter 3, verse 12


Shepherd: High Priest, king, Christ, mediator

Lion’s Mouth: Satan and Judgment—Ps 22:21; II Tim 4:17; I Pt 5:8

Legs: Sacrifice—Ex 12:9; 29:17; Lev 4:11

Ear: Servitude and Sacrifice—Ex 21:6; Deut 15:17; Pro 25:12; Luke 22:50; Ex 29:20;
Lev 8:23; 14:14-17

Samaria: Capital of Northern Kingdom of Israel and Burial Place of the Kings—II Kings
13:13; 17:24-28

Couch—Rest and Comfort


Sarcastic Exasperation: Sacrifice—two legs and a piece of an ear. The legs were to be a burnt offering along with the head of the animal. Where are the ears? On the head. Where is the big toe that was to be tipped in blood along with the right ear lobe? On the foot. Where else have we seen foot—or more specifically, heel—imagery alongside head imagery? Genesis 3:15, of course, sets the precedent for this extended metaphor which separates the kingdom of man, under the ruling head of Satan, from the kingdom of God whose heirs will one day crush the head of the serpent.

How interesting it is that in sacrifices the head and legs together would be offered.
_ Other parallels between ear and legs:
~Hearers versus doers of the law/word (Rom 2:13; Js 1:22f)
~Implies action—putting feet to words

How much more interestinger is it that Nehemiah has a play on words for the Exodus 21:6 imagery of doulos: “Many years you BORE with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not GIVE EAR.” (9:30)