Articles
Prepare to meet your God - Amos
Prepare to meet your God - Amos
God has given the rebellious northern kingdom time to repent (see chapter 4). He has sent warning judgments time and again but they refused to turn from their evil (4:6, 8, 9, 10, 11). Now, they are in the heights of national prosperity and security. They take such circumstances as a sign that all is well and God is blessing them. They fail to realize they are in the depths of moral and religious depravity. Prosperity and ease of life is NOT an indication of one's good relationship with God.
Amos begins by showing that God is a judge of all nations; declaring God's coming judgment upon Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistia), Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and Judah. The same formula of condemnation is then used concerning Israel (2:6). While the other nations, except for Judah, are condemned for their acts of inhumanity, Israel is condemned for her unfaithfulness to the covenant with God. Again, it is interesting to note that Israel WAS still religious, but it was only a show (see 5:21-23).
Such judgment came with God's warning (3:7-8). This judgment would be complete, basically leaving nothing of Israel as a nation (3:12-14). After listing the many warnings that God had given them, God has had enough: Prepare to meet your God, O Israel (4:12). All that is left is a funeral dirge declaring that Israel has fallen and will not rise again (5:2).
Interestingly (and encouragingly to us who read it today), even at this point God offers hope. IF they would turn and seek the LORD (5:4, 6), if they would seek good and not evil (5:14), if they would establish justice, PERHAPS the LORD would be gracious unto them.
Several important lessons stand out. First, God is interested in our character (righteous, holy, just, merciful) and not in our just being religious. Second, we should see that prosperity and ease of life are not always indication of our being right with God. Third, God desires repentance rather than having to punish: The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Are you prepared to meet your God?
Hugh DeLong
