Amos Addresses Israel’s Sins

One can imagine what the prophet Amos might say to us today. It might go like this: “In the world you live in there are fractious or troubling times in which this group here and that group over there can’t get along with each other. In my day, places like Gaza, Tyre, and Edom were areas of unrest. Peace was hard to come by. You know what comes with unrest - hatred for each other followed by God’s rebuke. You’re probably nodding your head. I’m thinking this sounds familiar to you. You see it right? People don’t learn very well - in my day as well as yours. All God has sought since He created mankind is to have a relationship with us. A relationship that each of us needs but haven’t always embraced.

Thousands of years ago, God called on me - a sheep breeder - to do His will, to address people’s sins. I had several places to point out people’s sins, but the saddest and most upsetting was the kingdom of Israel. Here’s why:

Idolatry - The first of the Ten Commandments says "You shall have no other gods before Me." The Israelites - God's people - chose not to keep this commandment. They were worshiping BUT doing so to false gods. They served their idols at Bethel and Gilgal - two national shrines or unorthodox sanctuaries. They were rebellious against the One True God, even allowing leaven bread to be offered as a sacrifice for thanksgiving. (see Leviticus 7:12) The Apostle Paul says that "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (see Romans 1:21) Around A.D. 51, Paul wrote about those being misled by lies: "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (see 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Pride - I, Amos, shouted to the Israelites reminding them of the pats on the backs they gave themselves "you who rejoice over Lo Debar, who say, 'have we not taken Karnaim for ourselves by our own strength?'" (see Amos 6:13) King Solomon states in Proverbs 16:18 that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Today, you and many others witness such pride at the leadership level of government and business, and society overall. The two words, pride and me, together leave zero room for God (who is, in reality, responsible for the outcome, not you and me). C. S. Lewis points out in his book Mere Christianity that “the Christians are right: it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.” God had me tell the Israelites "But, behold, I will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel, says the Lord God of Hosts; and they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath to the Valley of the Arabah."

Injustice - Merriam Webster dictionary defines justice as "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair." I railed against God's people for their injustice to others: "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy." (see Amos 4:1) The psalmist in Psalm 82:1 reminds us of God's supremacy. He is the authority in all councils and courts. The psalmist says in verses 3 and 4: "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked." Matthew Henry put it this way regarding the wicked judges: "They have thwarted their own consciences and so continue to walk in darkness." It is wise to remember that God is all-knowing. He is omniscient. He is aware of what is going on. King David states in Psalm 56:8 “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle.” Nothing escapes the Lord, including the injustice being done to the poor and needy. Charles Swindoll states in his book Esther that “everything within us craves justice.”

Of all people to disobey, the Israelites kept sinning. Yes, I know we’re all sinners. Nearly 800 years after my time here, the apostle Paul reminded us of that in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But shouldn’t we be there for the Lord who has done so much for us - for me and for you?”

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A.W. Tozer once said that “God waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.” Pastor Erwin Raphael McManus, in his book Soul Cravings, puts a relationship with God this way “God is going up and down the streets of the city, traveling the most obscure paths and untamed wilderness, walking on unnamed roads in the most desolate of places, searching for the one He loves.”