Hey guys.
I'm going to take a little break from Genesis for the next few posts & have a look into the book of Amos as I'll be studying it in small groups very soon.
I actually think I've never read it before, so this will be very interesting.
Just a little background.
Amos is initially a shepherd.
Shepherds weren't considered to be very high in society back then, if I'm correct. But still, God chose Amos to intercede to people for Him.
It really reminds me that no matter how small we may be, how unpopular, of even how pack of skill, God can most definitely use us.
So today's reading is from Amos 1.
The first little intro in verses 1-2 was not something I expected at all.
God was obviously angry.
It was quite a horrific entrance if you ask me.
It reminded me that just as God can give, He can so easily take away.
When we think about God, we normally think His love, His goodness. We may even only know God by that, such that we may take it for granted & think, "no matter how much I sin God will always still forgive & love me."
But here we're reminded that even though God IS good, He isn't limited in what He can do. He can most definitely take away what we see as good.
One of the repeated phrases I picked up was "For three sins, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath"
As I thought about it, a question came to mind. Why did the number go up from three to four? Not down from three to two? Wasn't God trying to emphasise how sinful the nations were such that any little amount of sin was intolerable at this point?
But here we can learn that sin cannot be avoided, punishment for sin is inevitable. God most certainly does not overlook any sin.
As I read the passage, I noted down the particular sins that God was punishing people for, so we can learn from what the people did wrong.
In verse 3, "because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth". It was completely brutal, a very violent act which God doesn't tolerate.
Verse 6 & 9, "she took whole communities and sold them to Edom". They were mistreating other people, taking away all rights just for self benefit.
Verse 9, "disregarding a treaty if brotherhood," a promise was broken here & nothing was done about it.
Verse 11, "Because he pursued his brother with a sword..." There was no mercy, no compassion, or forgiveness. As a result there was rage.
And finally in verse 13, "because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders". He was overcome with the desire to have power, and as a result, disgusting things were done.
Now lets have a look into the types of ways God punished the people.
He destroyed homes & fortresses with fire. Fire gives me the idea of purifying, of refining something. It's also completely burning something to ashes or getting rid of sin.
He also cut off the rulers & kings, the high & powerful people. God showed them who's really great. He destroyed the people's physical hope, assurance, ruler, & guide. He left them blind & powerless in a sense.
He also sent people into exile. I see exile as a place of reflection, a place where one is laid bare & without anything except themselves & God Himself.
He also gave out death though. He completely put an end to the things. It shows how fragile & weak we really are compared to Him.
And last of all, He made the worse possible things happen at the worse possible times. (Verse 14).
I feel it was a way of God to show the people who's the real God & the utter control He has over everything.
One word stood out to me after reading this passage.
FEAR.
So often, we only picture God as the God who loves us & cares for us, we so often forget His wrath & the devastating He can cause as a result of sin, no matter how little it may seem.
I hope that this passage may snap is back into reality & the whole truth about who God is. It should fill us with fear of Him, but also joy & reassurance as eve though He can carry out wrath, He's still all about loving us at the end of the day.
Godbless~
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