Originally, the Israelites looked forward to the day of the Lord as a time when God would rescue them from their enemies. However, Amos warned the Israelites not to be smug: “Why do you want the day of the LORD? It is darkness and not light; as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake.” (NRSV, Amos 5:18–19)