Lots of stuff going on in this first chapter of Amos. God basically lays the hammer down on all of Israel's enemies/neighbors. It's only the first chapter yet we see that God is already raring for action. Looking over the chapter there are two things that really stick out to me.
The first is that God does not relent on his Judgement whether it be for three sins or for four. The number of sins does not matter, for they are still sins. This should serve as a warning for the Israelites because God is ready to send judgement against anyone who transgresses against Him, even if that someone is His beloved child. It is a certain fact that during this time period, Israel is not being the most obedient of children. I think this highlights even more so the importance of the Grace that has been allotted to us from the Cross. Surely we are just as guilty of transgressing against God as these enemies of Israel. Without the Cross, we should be cowering in fear from the voice that "roars from Zion" (v2). Talk about a not-so-pleasant experience. That roar should probably be a Roar with a capital R.
The second thing that I really struck me about this chapter was the credentials of the messenger God selects to deliver this message. Amos is a shepherd, one of the lowest of the low in terms of socioeconomic status. This is book is the only mention of Amos in the Bible so it's safe to assume that he was of low importance in the grand scheme of the running of the nations of Israel and Judah. Yet God chooses him to deliver this message of judgement. Probably not the most enviable of tasks. Looking through the Bible though, it is evident that God makes a point of using certain people to deliver His messages or to fulfill His plan. This is also not the first time He's used a plan shepherd to do something important (e.g. David).
The main thing that I took away from this chapter is that God will judge all people according to what they have done. When we all stand before Him at the last day, everyone, whether or not they believe, will have to give an account for what they did while on Earth.
ReplyDeleteHere we see descriptions of foreign kingdoms committing unspeakable acts. The ripping open of pregnant women in particular is a horrifying image to me. God does not hold anything back when describing the evil human beings have committed. These may be extreme cases, but let them be a reminder that apart from God, we are capable of atrocious acts.
Praise Him that in love He sent Jesus to die and cover our sins with His blood.
I really dont have much to add here, sorry for the late post, i didnt realize that it started monday.
ReplyDeleteThe repetition, even carried into the 2nd chapter, sticks out to me. I imagine this is done to really drive home the point, It almost gives me goosebumos to imagine hearing this message being given directly to me.
The idea of God activly punishing has always been difficult for me to grasp. In the Gospel we are almost turned over to satan, which i guess seems less intense to me, but here we saw the wrath of God displayed over and over, it is very bone chilling.
You both make good points. John, I think it's very important that we see how this points to the cross and how our debts were paid on it. The purpose of the Old Testament isn't just to tell some old stories and to foretell some prophecies. All things we read in the Old Testament point to the necessity and inevitability of Christ. And it serves to underscore how we are incapable of our own salvation. Adam, I hadn't thought about how the New Testament focuses on handing us over to Satan instead of the wrath of God. I too struggle at times with reconciling a God who loves me and a God who punishes me. It's a pretty intense scenario.
ReplyDelete