Articles
Shall Not Rise Again - Amos 6-9
Shall Not Rise Again - Amos 6-9
6 – Israel is "at ease in Zion", but not for long. Greater nations than Israel have fallen! (1-3). Make note of the luxurious life of ease they lived, but also their lack of concern for spiritual things (4-6). Their life of ease would become a life of want and suffering (7-14).
7 - There will be no more delay (1-9). God had relented at other times, now He will spare no longer. They will be judged according to a strict standard (the plumb line comparison). With this warning, Amos is rejected, but this only brings specific condemnation upon Amaziah for such rejection (10-17).
8 - Again, God proclaims that there will be no more delay. They are like a basket of summer fruit that quickly rots and must be discarded. God will spare them no longer (2). Why was God so angry with them? Amos gives us a sad description of their hypocritical religion that was mixed with ungodliness of life. Their day has ended (cp. vs. 9). "They will fall and not rise again" (vs. 14).
9 - God's judgment is Unavoidable. As the Psalmist declared in Psalm 139, there is no place to go that can avoid the presence of God. Now, they will be judged. YET, will be faithful to His covenant with David! God will raise up the fallen house of David and will enlarge his authority to rule over the nations (vs. 11-15). This is quoted in Acts 15 and applied to the gentiles being included in the church of Christ.
Our God is an awesome God who will punish the ungodly but redeem those who turn to Him through Jesus. What will it be with you: judgment or salvation?
Hugh DeLong
