Amos

Amos

The Plumb Line (Amos 7:1-9)

God’s judgment and mercy Amos watches as God begins to judge with grasshoppers and fire. He begs God to be merciful, and God stops the judgment. No man can accuse God of being harsh or unjust. He is merciful, gracious, and kind. Even though the people of Amos’ day deserve judgment, God in His mercy stays the judgment at Amos’ request. The plumb line God tells Amos that He is simply going to use a plumb line with Israel. A…

Resentment or Repentance? (Amos 6:8-14)

Major destruction coming God abhors the violent oppression of the poor. Because of this He is going to utterly devastate the nation of Israel. There will be so much death that extended family members will have to bury their whole family because there will be no one left. Literally entire households will die in the coming judgment. Resentment instead of repentance The people are going to react to the judgment by refusing to mention God’s name. Even though God has…

Coveting Leads to Ingratitude (Exodus 20:17)

The purpose of God’s Law All of creation has been created to show forth the nature of God (Romans 1:18-20.) As such the natural world operates according to God’s decree and law. In the same vein, the Law that He has given to us reflects His nature. His Law shows us not just what is pleasing in His sight but what is in our best interest. Like a doctor who tells his patient not to eat certain foods for his…

Do You Care? (Amos 6:1-7)

All are guilty Amos is from Judah and has been addressing the sins of Israel. He now includes Zion (Jerusalem), the capital of Judah, in his judgment. He is showing several things, one, Israel is not the only one guilty; his own nation is guilty. Secondly, he is speaking out against those in Judah who are refusing to join him in speaking out against the sins happening around them. The certainty of judgment Jerusalem and Samaria were heaving fortified cities…

“Christians” in Hell (Amos 5:21-27)

Amos once again attacks their religious observances. God hates their religious services In what seems to be an illogical series of statements God says how much He hates and despises all of their religious services. He goes into great detail about the things He hates. He hates their holy days and worship services. He hates their sacrifices and offerings. He hates their songs and music. It is very clear that God does not approve of any of their religious observances.…

Do Not Look Forward to Judgment (Amos 5:16-20)

God has just offered His grace to anyone who will repent. He will forgive anyone who will turn to Him, and they will escape His coming judgment. No one will escape The people are not listening to Amos and are not turning to God. They have rejected God’s way of salvation. In light of this God’s judgment is going to come. No one will escape. It does not matter where you live; if you reject God’s offer of salvation there…

God is Gracious to Those Who Repent (Amos 5:13-15)

Amos has declared the coming judgment of God in which 90% of the people will die. He then calls on the people to turn from their wicked ways, namely their social injustice. Be silent The natural reaction to Amos’ message is outright rejection. Amos tells them that wise people will be silent. In other words, don’t reject the message outright; take some time to consider what he is saying. We live in a day of foolish, knee-jerk reactions from people…

There is an Escape from Judgment (Amos 5:4-12)

Seek the Lord and live Although God’s judgment is coming, there is still a way of escape. Although Amos is speaking of physical life this is also the way to escape eternal judgment in hell as well. God does not give them instructions as to some religious deed. He instead points them to Himself. If they will seek Him He will spare them from His coming judgment. Religious deeds will not help Once again, God speaks out against their religious…

Grieving Over Sin and Judgment (Amos 5:1-3)

A funeral dirge Amos now begins to sing a funeral dirge for the nation of Israel. Although not common in our culture, it was very common in his day to sing a song of grief at the funeral of a loved one. Amos is grieved because of what he knows is going to happen to Israel because of their sins. Grieving for the death of a young child Amos’ song begins with telling us how great his grief is. Amos…

What Is It Going to Take? (Amos 4:6-13)

Amos has been speaking out about Israel’s sins. He now shows all that God has done to bring them back to Himself. Gluttony and famine The chapter begins with gluttony, but Amos now speaks of the famine that God had brought previously. Whether full or starving, it did not matter; they would not return to the Lord. Drought and rain God sent severe drought at times, and yet at other times He brought abundance of rain. It did not matter.…

Asa

We now look at the reign of Asa. And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother,…

Religious Deeds Bring Judgment (Amos 4:4-5)

Strict religious observance In spite of all their sins, the people of Israel were very devout in their religious observances. They were faithful to attend religious services and offer daily sacrifices. They were so faithful in their tithing and offerings that they even followed the once every three years tithe God commanded in Deuteronomy 14:28. They were constantly offering sacrifices of all kinds. They were very, very devout in their religious devotions. God calls their religious observances sin Instead of…