Amos 3 - Privilege Brings Responsibility

 

Amos 3- Privilege Brings Responsibility

 

The Lord delivered the Jews from Egypt and called them to be His special people. God’s gracious election of Israel did not give them the right to disobey Him, and the same truth applies to the church today. Election involves responsibility (John 15:16; Eph. 1:4).

 

What right did a common herdsman like Amos have to denounce his own people and warn of judgment? He and God were walking together because they agreed. God was roaring like a lion and setting the trap for sinners. Amos was blowing the trumpet to warn the people because God had shared His secrets with him. Despite his humble origins, Amos was God’s servant.

 

If a shepherd lost an animal, he had to pay for it, unless he could prove that a beast killed it. He did that by bringing home some of the parts that were not devoured. Israel could hear the lion roar, but the nation would not repent. Soon, only a remnant would be left.

 

The prophet Amos denounced luxury and urged the people to care for the poor of the land. He particularly condemned their expensive houses, their drinking, their complacency, and their costly parties. The rich got their money by exploiting the poor. Yet the wealthy people were “religious” and faithfully participated in the temple services. Their “religion” was only a masquerade to cover their sin. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Amos 2 - Judgment on Judah and Israel

 

Amos 2 – Judgment on Judah and Israel

 

Burning a dead person’s bones to lime was not just despicable but was considered a desecration.

 

Judgment was harsher for Judah and Israel than the other nations because they had forsaken God’s revealed and written law. Their covenant relationship with God held them to a higher standard.

 

Israel’s social injustice, materialism, self-centeredness, and willful ignorance of God were rampant. Notice that Israel’s list is the only one that names four crimes. The other nations’ lists are deliberately shortened, as if to say that Israel’s sins accumulated faster than their counterparts.

 

God had declared that the poor be afforded the same privileges and care as the rest of the society, yet the Israelites were selling their brothers and sisters into slavery.

 

Amos uses hyperbole to demonstrate how seriously the rich extorted the poor: to the point of desiring the dust on their heads. To this sin of greed, he adds injustice, sexual sin, and the cruelty of not returning clothes to the poor so they could keep warm at night.  (Ex, 22L26,27).

 

God’s faithful provision to Israel included military victory, deliverance, and spiritual leadership. As part of their consecration to the Lord, the Nazirites were to drink no wine (Numbers 6:1-21). Yet Israel had spurned God’s messengers by tempting them to sin.

 

The seven statements in these verses describe how completely devastated the Israelite army would be.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

Amos 1 - Judgment on the Nations

 

Amos 1- Judgment on the Nations

 

Amos denounces the sins of six gentile nations before he pronounces judgment on Judah and Israel. God did not give His law to the gentile nations, but He still held them accountable for their sins against humanity. Israel and Judah sinned against God’s law and God’s love; but the Gentiles sinned against their “inner law,” their conscience (Rom. 2:12-16).

 

The Gentiles sinned against their fellowman. Amos condemned their brutality, slavery, revenge, murder, and thievery. The nations seemed to get away with their sins, but God eventually caught up with them. He is long-suffering, but He is also holy.

 

Being the chosen people of God, Israel and Judah had a greater responsibility before the Lord. In one way or another, they violated all the ten commandments; and that meant God would have to judge them.

 

If God judges lost people for their sins, what will He do to those who claim to know Him? Privilege brings responsibility (Luke 12:48), and where there is responsibility, there will be accountability. The people of Israel and Judah rejoiced when they heard Amos condemn their neighbors; but then he condemned God’s people for their sins, and that was not acceptable to them.

 

Is God being long-suffering toward you? Is His judgment of others a warning to You? Are you heeding it?

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

The Book of Joel

 

The Book of Joel

 

Special days seem like nothing compared to the special day that Joel speaks of here in these chapters. He calls it the “day of the Lord” to remind the people of recent disasters of a devastating locust plague. He tells the Israelites about this to warn them of a greater judgment to come. Joel calls this a “great and very terrible day.” This day does not need to be terrible for God's people. It will be a day of decision of whether to follow God or to go our own way (Satan's way). When we decide to follow God, He promises to be a shelter for his people. God always wants to bring us to a deep repentance that will lead to the renewal and restoration of our souls. A day of the Lord is still to come when he returns for His people. If we belong to Christ, we can look forward to that day of the Lord with great anticipation. Joel encouraged the Israelites to remind their children of the locusts that God had sent on their land, so the children would learn the lesson God was teaching Israel. The prophet Joel lived during the time of prosperity in Judah. The wealthier and more prosperous the people became, the more complacent they became toward God until they had forgotten Him completely. So, God sent locust to devour the land. Joel declared that this plague was a wakeup call. We dare not forget the source of our prosperity. God owns everything, and we are responsible to Him for how we use His resources. In the middle of this book filled with warning and judgment stands a profound picture of God's mercy. Over the clamor of invading armies and devouring locusts, God issues a clear invitation “turn to Me with all your heart.” During judgment, God offers mercy to those who repent. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Regardless of the circumstances, God says turn to Me. When we call out to our gracious and merciful God, He hears and answers. God delights in doing miracles. He loves turning hopeless situations into delightful possibilities. Joel warned his people that a terrible army would invade their land and destroy their hope. Even the very heavens and earth would tremble at the devastation. in the face of such disaster Joel spoke of a day when God would do more marvelous things. God's works are truly marvelous. We should praise the name of the Lord. Joel predicted that God's grand invitation to turn to Him would be offered to all people. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Christians are the beneficiaries of God's outpouring. The world has not been the same since the day a small band of apostles were energized by God's spirit on the day of Pentecost. On that day Peter quoted this passage from Joel and encouraged people to repent and believe in Christ. All who accepted this call and receive God's spirit fulfill this prophecy of God's grace. Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Hosea 12 - 14 - God's Charges and Restoration

 

Hosea 12 – God’s Charges Against Ephraim

 

A genuine return to God would involve a commitment to mercy and justice as well as true dependence on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

 

The historical retrospective of God’s saving role in Israel’s history included their time in Egypt (Ex. 20:2), the story of Jacob (Genesis 28-31) and a prophet, Moses (Numb. 12:6-8), and the anger that the current idol worship of Ephraim provoked. For this the people were about to suffer. (Isaiah 65:7).

 

Hosea 13 – Relentless Judgment on Israel

 

The tribe of Ephraim initially produced strong, God-fearing leaders like Joshua, but eventually became overly self-confident and prone to idol worship. In contrast, the everlasting God reminds Ephraim of her past and His loyal love for her. “I knew you in the wilderness. (Deut. 8:14; 31:20).

 

Hosea painted startling pictures of the coming judgment of God with the lion, the leopard, and the bear and then the heightened terror with references to infants, dashed in pieces and pregnant women, ripped open by the Assyrians. These images reveal God’s power over death (I Cor. 15:55).

 

Hosea 14 – Israel Restored at Last

 

Hosea again urges the people to return to God with true words of repentance. God’s incredible grace and love are shown by His eagerness for their return (Joel 2:13).

 

The beautiful pictures of repentant Israel as a lily and an olive tree illustrate the transformation in any heart that confesses and turn from sin and then humbly accepts God’s loving gifts of mercy. (John 15:4).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Hosea 10 & 11 - Israel's Sin and Captivity

 

Hosea 10 – Israel’s Sin and Captivity

 

The more prosperous Israel became with a multitude of fruit, increased altars, and sacred pillars, the more they increased their idolatry and rejected the Lord. God accused them of being double-minded. (Matt. 6:24).

 

Jeroboam had set up the calf of Beth Aven (Bethel). Hosea indicated the idol would be carried to Assyria, while the people and priests would mourn and shriek. Israel would also mourn the loss of their king and the destruction of their high places. If only the people of Israel had grieved their sin and their loss of God’s favor!

 

Hosea urged Israel to see the Lord by sowing righteousness and reaping God’s mercy. God’s future gift of righteousness would be so abundant that it would be as rain.

 

Hosea 11- God’s Continuing Love for Israel.

 

God is both angry and compassionate as God’s commitment and Israel’s contempt meet head-on. It would be difficult to understand such a rebellious response to such a perfect love, except that we today are so much like Israel.

 

Because God is not man, He does not act as a human would – in blind, unbridled vengeance. Rather, God expresses a love reminiscent of Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem. (Matt.23:37). Jesus’ unshakeable devotion to the city that rejected Him is consistent with the heart of His Father, a heart filled with compassion for the rebellious nation of Israel.

 

The wicked cities of Admah and Zebolim were destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah.  The Lord’s lion-like roar will someday call His exiled people home and they will, like swift birds, return to their land.

 

Unlike Ephraim, Judah had a few kings and priests who continued to honor God. Yet Hosea often spoke direct warnings to Judah.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Hosea 8 & 9 - When God Blows the Trumpet

 

Hosea 8 – When God Blows the Trumpet!

 

The trumpet was blown in Israel to warn of impending battle. In this case, Assyria, was coming, and there would be no escape. Israel claimed to know God and yet disobeyed Him (Titus 1:16). They made kings and rulers without seeking God’s will, and they made idols in defiance of the Lord. The famous calf of Samaria would be destroyed (I Kings 12:28-30) when the eagle swooped down, and the whirlwind came. What seems a lovely soft wind today can become a storm tomorrow.

 

Israel had become like a piece of junk pottery on the trash heap. They trusted the gentile nations to protect them but left God out of their plans. Israel multiplied altars and Judah multiplied fortifications, but neither could deliver from judgment. Israel would be taken by Assyria and Judah by Babylon, and God’s judgment would fall on a sinful people.

 

When God blows the trumpet, we had better wake up and listen!

 

 

Hosea 9 – Judgment of Israel’s Sin

 

Israel was accustomed to plentiful harvest, but the threshing floor, winepress, and new wine in the coming harvest would no longer produce a satisfying crop because their idols could not give them what they needed. Nettles and thorns would surround them. And in exile, Israel would eat the bread of mourners- bread considered unclean because it came from a house of death.

 

The people of Israel ignored and derided Hosea, calling him a fool and insane. Hosea was a watchman, sounding the alarm for God of coming danger to His people.

 

Hosea spoke of a miscarrying womb and dry breasts to show Israel that their worship of the fertility god Baal (who promised offspring to his worshipers) would bring only barrenness and divine judgment.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. The Jeremiah Study Bible.