God Passes Judgment

June 7, 2015 Background Scripture: Amos 2:4 – 16 Lesson Passage: Amos 2:4 – 8 Amos is unique among the prophets of Israel in that he lived in the Southern Kingdom of Judah but he was called by God to prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In the middle of Amos’ discourse, he declared that he was not a prophet or a prophet’s son. In other words, Amos had no natural reason to prophesy against God’s people except that he was under God’s mandate to do so. He had no reputation to live out nor did he have to live up to his father’s reputation. Amos was a rancher living a fairly simple and basic life prior to being called of God. In carrying out his calling, Amos became a staunch defender of justice and righteousness. In our lesson today, Amos works his way up to the prophecies against Israel. His message starts by denouncing the enemies of God’s people and God’s judgment against them. This no doubt made Israel even more confident in spite of their wayward living. Next, Amos denounces the actions of Judah which are the same as those of their fathers who were rebuked by God in years pass. Finally, Amos’ message turns towards the intended audience of Israel. Here he provided much more details about the transgressions of Israel. They had taken advantage of the poor for the sake of worldly wealth. People who were in right standing with God were sold into slavery. Israel had continued to decline morally and their actions had not gone unnoticed by God. God was preparing to bring judgment against them. God reminded Israel through Amos that her enemies were mightier than her but yet God destroyed them. Israel was also reminded that God had blessed her above all nations in delivering her from slavery and nurturing her for forty years in a desert place where she was not able to fend for herself. In spite of God’s work among her ancestors, Israel continued to walk contrary to the will of God. God told Israel that her sins had become a burden to Him and he would not allow them to continue to go unpunished. Today’s lesson reminds us that God will not allow sin to go unpunished forever. God will not sit by idly and allow the righteous and the poor to become the prey of the rich and mighty. When God raised up prophets among Israel, they refused to allow the prophets to do God’s bidding. Hence, Amos was sent as an outsider of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They refused to allow their sons with a prophetic calling to exercise their gift among them but God would not be silenced by the actions of man. God raised up Amos from outside of their families to prophesy against their actions. Judgment Day had come and there would be a reckoning on God’s own terms. Amos is a reminder that God’s righteousness will prevail in spite of man’s actions or plans. God sets high standards for his people and He holds us accountable for meeting those standards. People of God always have a choice to follow after God or to go their own way. Following God brings blessings but turning away from God brings judgment. Robert C. Hudson June 1, 2015