by Diana Durrill
As I read this passage today I found myself feeling very sad. Amos is given the job of warning the Israelites of God's coming judgment and, in the end, they don't heed the warning.
Even though God had demonstrated great kindness through the years (the exodus, the conquest of the promised land, the reigns of David and Solomon, etc.), Israel insisted on living lives of disobedience and dishonor. They corrupted the places of worship, they performed religious rites with out adherence to the law, and they were taking advantage of and crushing the poor.
Having the advantage of knowing the whole story because we are reading from this perspective in history, it is heart-breaking to read through these chapters and recall the details of the many times the Lord intervened on Israel's behalf to bless them. We can easily say, "What are they thinking! Do they not remember all that God has done for them? Do they not want to love God as a result of all His mighty works on their behalf?"
And yet, are we not the same? Do we not find ourselves disregarding the work of the Lord by living lives of self-centeredness, neglecting obedience and honor toward God? How often do we remember our own history and how God has rescued us from danger, delivered us to a place of freedom, and granted us grace beyond measure? Do we let our personal history with God affect our daily lives, our treatment of the poor or the oppressed, or the way we worship?
It is good to be reminded about God's justice and righteousness. (Amos 5:24) We would do well to heed the admonition and be sure to turn our attention to God Almighty who has done great and mighty things for us. What is it that is good and that which He requires of us?
To do justice,
love kindness and
to walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8 ESV)
As I read this passage today I found myself feeling very sad. Amos is given the job of warning the Israelites of God's coming judgment and, in the end, they don't heed the warning.
Even though God had demonstrated great kindness through the years (the exodus, the conquest of the promised land, the reigns of David and Solomon, etc.), Israel insisted on living lives of disobedience and dishonor. They corrupted the places of worship, they performed religious rites with out adherence to the law, and they were taking advantage of and crushing the poor.
Having the advantage of knowing the whole story because we are reading from this perspective in history, it is heart-breaking to read through these chapters and recall the details of the many times the Lord intervened on Israel's behalf to bless them. We can easily say, "What are they thinking! Do they not remember all that God has done for them? Do they not want to love God as a result of all His mighty works on their behalf?"
And yet, are we not the same? Do we not find ourselves disregarding the work of the Lord by living lives of self-centeredness, neglecting obedience and honor toward God? How often do we remember our own history and how God has rescued us from danger, delivered us to a place of freedom, and granted us grace beyond measure? Do we let our personal history with God affect our daily lives, our treatment of the poor or the oppressed, or the way we worship?
It is good to be reminded about God's justice and righteousness. (Amos 5:24) We would do well to heed the admonition and be sure to turn our attention to God Almighty who has done great and mighty things for us. What is it that is good and that which He requires of us?
To do justice,
love kindness and
to walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8 ESV)
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