Amos mentions a couple of constellations. As we learned in the last study, Deep Sea Diving into Genesis 1, the consistency and orderliness of the heavens and all their host challenges us to look beyond them to our Creator.
DAY OF THE LORD asks the question, "Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light." It seems to be a contradiction. Shouldn't we as Christians long for the day of the Lord and the return of Jesus? This verse is for the non-believers. We have no fear of that day that brings darkness because we are children of the light.
EMPTINESS OF RITUAL asks the question, “What is the attitude of our heart in worship?” The religious feasts that are being spoken of are those that are not God-ordained, but "traditions of men", most often tied to pagan festivals. Do we have any of those in our churches today?
Amos rebukes the people for their pride and complacency. They had built luxurious homes to flaunt their achievements. Sound like today? It's not wrong to live in comfortable houses, but not as a source of pride and self-glorification.
“Look, I am setting up a plumb line among my people…”
What a great visual He has given us. His Word is our plumb line that helps us to be aware of our sin. It shows us how far off we are.
In the visions of Amos, God illustrates the figurative and symbolic with the literal.
Very sad words, “…a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.”
Sad words, but so true for today. We are experiencing a “falling away” as we head toward these last days. But there is hope. If we witness to our circle of influence, if we encourage our acquaintances, friends and family to read and study God’s Word, if we share with them what we understand, then we will be doing our part to give them “food for thought”.
One thing comes through loud and clear in the prophecies of Amos. No one can escape God's judgment. Good news for the faithful. Bad news for the unfaithful.
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