<\/p>\n
Amos 1:1-6:14<\/strong><\/span> Today we start the book of Amos!\u00a0 \u00a0Amos was a unique prophet in that he was a shepherd and fig grower.\u00a0 His prophecies come from about 760 to 750 B.C. at a height of Israel & Judah\u2019s prosperity \u2013 materially.\u00a0 (not spiritually\u2026)\u00a0 Though Amos was from Judah, his messages were primarily directed at Israel.\u00a0 A good introduction to the book of Amos is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is an image of Amos, the \u201cshepherd prophet\u201d:<\/span> Amos chapter 1 verse 2 sets the stage for this book and the prophecies to come: \u201cThis is his report of what he saw and heard: \u201cThe LORD\u2019s voice roars from his Temple on Mount Zion; he thunders from Jerusalem! Suddenly, the lush pastures of the shepherds dry up. All the grass on Mount Carmel withers and dies.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Then in the remainder of chapter 1 and 2 there are prophecies against Israel and Judah\u2019s surrounding neighbors all starting with \u2013 \u201c\u201dThe people of _(fill in the blank)__ have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is it possible that this blank could maybe be filled in on our life or habits at times?\u00a0 Is it possible that this blank could be filled in by nations in our world today?\u00a0 If God were to punish, might it be a holy discipline to bring us back to repentance and right relationship with God?\u00a0 Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Amos and the people:<\/span> In chapter 4 verse 2 it stood out to me how Judah was being called to the carpet as well as the neighboring nations: \u201cThey have rejected the laws of the LORD, refusing to obey him. They have been led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Do we obey God today in our lives?\u00a0 Are there areas in our life where we might be deceived \u2013 either by others, or maybe even in our own minds?\u00a0 Below is an image of Amos preaching to Kings Uzziah and Jeroboam II \u2013 from a 14th century illuminated Bible:<\/span> And Israel is called to the carpet in verses 6 & 7: \u201cThey have perverted justice by selling honest people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals. They trample helpless people in the dust and deny justice to those who are oppressed.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 It seems that God is very interested in the care of the poor back then.\u00a0 Do you think he is still interested in the care of the poor today?\u00a0 Are we caring for the poor & the oppressed in our world today?\u00a0 In your life, are you caring for the poor & oppressed?\u00a0 Consistently?\u00a0 How?<\/span> In Amos chapters 4, 5, & 6 we read about Israel\u2019s failure to listen, a call to repentance, and warning of coming Judgment.\u00a0 Chapter 4 verse 13 stood out to me in today\u2019s readings: \u201cFor the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his every thought. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads the mountains under his feet. The LORD God Almighty is his name!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Here we are reminded that God is the creator of all things, and he still is in control of what happens in the present time.\u00a0 He is the past, present, and future.\u00a0 I like that phrase, \u201creveals his every thought.\u201d\u00a0 Meaning, God wants His ways, His character, His thoughts, His love to be known by all.\u00a0 Do you believe God reveals His every thought to us?\u00a0 Where might we best find out what God\u2019s every thought is?\u00a0 Do you want to know God\u2019s thoughts above all else?<\/span> I think chapter 5 verse 14 today is a good reminder and warning to each of us: \u201cDo what is good and run from evil\u2013that you may live! Then the LORD God Almighty will truly be your helper, just as you have claimed he is.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I believe that sometimes we think we can overcome evil through our own sheer will power.\u00a0 Or that we can change evil.\u00a0 This verse reminds us to simply RUN! I like that reminder.\u00a0 Sometimes you just gotta get out of Dodge to avoid evil influencing you or overtaking you.\u00a0 Are there temptations or bad habits in your life that you have been trying to overcome, battle, change \u2013 and perhaps you should just RUN from them?\u00a0 Flee from them?\u00a0 So that you may truly live?<\/span> Amos chapter 6 verse 5 stood out to me for some reason today: \u201cYou sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and you fancy yourselves to be great musicians, as King David was.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I guess a couple of things jumped out at me here.\u00a0 First, the singing idle songs to the sound of the harp made me ask myself, are we sometimes idle with our time?\u00a0 When perhaps God is wanting us to be purposeful or intentional with our time?\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 rest is good.\u00a0 But, is idleness good?\u00a0 I think rest can be purposeful and intentional and healthy.\u00a0 Or it can potentially be just the opposite.<\/span> Next \u2013 do we sometimes fancy ourselves to be \u201cgreat musicians as King David was\u201d \u2013 meaning, do we sometimes try to pretend to be someone who we are not?\u00a0 Are we masking over who we really are, and playing fake?\u00a0 Should we instead be real?\u00a0 And sincere?\u00a0 And intentional and purposeful?\u00a0 \u00a0I guess I\u2019m just getting at here \u2013 are there times when we are being fake? When, perhaps God is simply calling us to simply be real?\u00a0 To be who we are?\u00a0 Who are you?\u00a0 If you need to, will you take off your mask and just be who God made you to be?<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings remind me of the Building 429 song \u201cAlways:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n