Text: Amos 2:6-16
6 Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; 7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: 8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. 9 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. 10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the Lord. 12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not. 13 Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. 14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: 15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. 16 And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord.
“The message of Amos is needed today as much as ever. In nations throughout the world, God’s people are still being persecuted. Even so, every act of persecution against God’s beloved people, Jew and Gentile alike, is known to God and will be severely judged. God will take vengeance against His enemies. But note: judgment begins with the house of God. Far too many people who call themselves Christians, even true believers, ignore God’s Word and commandments. Or, they seek God only for His blessings or to help in times of trouble. Like the Israelites of Amos’s day, some live only to please themselves. Similarly, religion is still heartless and the religious still halfhearted. Wealthy nations and churches still hoard their wealth as much as ever. The rich still neglect, oppress, and exploit the poor. Injustice still dominates most nations and institutions. And most societies are more corrupt and ungodly than ever. God has judged nations and His own people for these sins in the past. And He will do so again” (Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible).
What is most certain about Amos’ prophecy is God’s judgment. Though the nation was going through an expansion, experiencing political peace, and sustained prosperity, their hearts were far from God. We must guard ourselves against greed at the expense of God’s grace. We must resist neglecting the poor at the expense of God’s mercy toward us. We must not allow sin to dominate our lives. Sin must not win! Paul asked a simple question in Romans 6:1: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” His response in verse 2 was “God forbid.”
Prayer: Dear God, your grace abounds and your mercy endures. Great is thy faithfulness toward me. Amen!