A Lion, a Bear, and a Serpent
“Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it? … the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. (19) As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him” (Amos 5:18, 19).
The Prophet Amos
The writings of the prophets often had a meaning to the Israelites of old, and another meaning to modern times. Perhaps this is the case with the passage quoted above, also.
(1) As this prophecy applied to Israel in the Old Testament, the first two empires that would dominate the Israelites, in Daniel chapter seven, were Babylon (represented as a Lion), and Medo- Persia (represented as a Bear). Subsequently, during the first advent of Christ, many of the Israelites were back in the land of promise, in their “house” again. However, because they did not receive Christ as Messiah, they were subsequently struck by Rome, the agency of the serpent, Satan, and greatly afflicted.
(2) At our end of the age, the power that took control of the land of Israel from the Ottoman Empire was England, whose national symbol is a Lion. This was helpful to Israel, and the Balfour Declaration expressed England’s intent to make of it a national homeland for the Jewish people. However, as time proceeded, England at times became an impediment to the national hopes of Israel. Nevertheless, by God’s grace Israel was reestablished as an independent nation in 1948, seventy years after the beginning of their return in 1878.
Another place where many Israelites had difficulty was Russia, whose national symbol is a Bear. When at last the Soviet Union was disbanded late in 1991, in a process beginning with the release of various countries in Eastern Europe in 1989, a large influx of Russian Israelites were able to flee to Israel.
But now that many Israelites have gone back “into the house,” inhabiting the homeland again, another threat looms from the serpent Satan. Israel leans “his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.” Israel, depending on their national strength, will have another attack to endure. This one will turn their eyes heavenward, and at last, advised by the Ancient Worthies, Israel will “look unto him whom they pierced,” and embrace their Messiah by faith (Zechariah 12:10).
— Extracted from studies by brethren in India