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Amos 9 - When?

I found the following passage from the last chapter of Amos interesting.

Amos 9:15 I will firmly plant them there in the land I have given them," says the LORD your God. "Then they will never be uprooted again."

Israel has been uprooted several times from their land since this prophecy by Amos. So when is this? Is he talking about the modern state of Israel that we now know? Thus far, it is the only one that we know of that has not been uprooted. However, in comparison to history, this period in the land is but a drop in the bucket. Prior to AD 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem, the Hebrews had occupied Israel for hundreds of years.

As I said, I don't know when it is. But I do find it interesting.

Father, thank You that I may be seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy in my lifetime. May it be so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Perhaps now. Jan
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Amos 8 - Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

Those words bring excitement, hope, curiosity and wonder - coming soon. I remember the first time I saw a movie trailer for the new Star Wars movie. I couldn't wait to get tickets. In fact, my friend Mike and I bought tickets in advance to reserve our seats and saw the movie at midnight on opening day. But sometimes a thing that is coming soon is a source of dread.

Amos 8:11-12 "The time is surely coming," says the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger everywhere from sea to sea, searching for the word of the LORD, running here and going there, but they will not find it.

I see this particular "coming soon" as one that is heading for America - rapidly. Our Judeo-Christian heritage is no longer being taught in our schools. Most of Europe already suffers from a dearth of biblical knowledge. It is a "Post-Christian" culture. Coming soon, there will indeed be a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.

Father, help me to fight against the tide. May I proclaim Your word while there is still time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Coming soon, but not yet. Jan
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Amos 7 - Called

I'm not a trained speaker. In fact every time that I speak before people I have a whole flock of butterflies fluttering about in the pit of my gut. Yet God has called me. It is clear that He wants me to communicate His message of freedom to men that are bound up in their pain and sin. Last weekend I did just that along with several of my brothers from the Wildmen ministry. God called us away to Tennessee to proclaim liberty to the captives and restoration to the broken hearted. It was an amazing experience. God certainly gave me the words to say.

Amos 7:14-15 But Amos replied, "I'm not one of your professional prophets. I certainly never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees. But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, 'Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.'

Just like He did with Amos, the Lord gave me clear leading to go speak and use the talents He's given me. May you be willing to obey His voice too.

Father, thank You for using me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He's calling, are you listening? Jan
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Amos 6 - Stupid Bragging

I like to refer to the TV series Babylon 5. Today' I'm doing it again. The following scripture reminded me of an early episode.

Amos 6:13 And just as stupid is this bragging about your conquest of Lo-debar. You boast, "Didn't we take Karnaim by our own strength and power?"

In the TV series, Earth has recently gained the ability to travel through hyperspace - a way of getting around the Galaxy faster than light. They are warned by a member of another race, that "There are far stronger and older space-faring races out there than even us." Proud as Peacocks over their recent conquest of another race named the Dilgar, they arrogantly reply, "We handled the Dilgar, we can handle them." Well they meet the stronger race, and they don't handle them. In fact the resulting war results in the near annihilation of the human species.

I see God saying the same thing to cocky Israel, "Sure you handled Lo-debar and took Karnaim, but wait till you see what I'm sending."

Amos 6:14 "O people of Israel, I am about to bring an enemy nation against you," says the LORD God Almighty. "It will oppress you bitterly throughout your land—from Lebo-hamath in the north to the Arabah Valley in the south."

Father, may I always remember that compared to eternity and Your will, I am nothing. Thank You that despite my insignificance, You love me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don't pick a fight you can't win. Jan
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Amos 5 - Empty Claims

I have one nightmare memory from middle school. I was in the eight grade. There was a school dance coming up after school and I had actually worked up the nerve to ask a pretty girl to go with me. The problem was that I would not see her for several classes - a few hours later. Being an adolescent, wanting to save face, I bragged to a class mate that I was going with (we'll call her) Penny when he asked me about the dance. Well... the word quickly spread that I was going to the dance with her. And she heard about it... before I could ask. She flatly refused. I was humiliated.

Amos 5:14 Do what is good and run from evil—that you may live! Then the LORD God Almighty will truly be your helper, just as you have claimed he is.

The Hebrews claimed that God was their personal friend, that He would stand up and defend them. However, like me, they had not established a relationship with the one they spoke about. However, their consequence wasn't mere humiliation, theirs was destruction.

Father, may I seek to know You more each day. May I do what is good and run from evil. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Get to know Him. Jan
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Amos 4 - But still

This reading reminded me of chapter three. Now the wording has changed to "but still".

Amos 4:6 "I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you wouldn't return to me," says the LORD.

Amos 4:8 People staggered from one town to another for a drink of water, but there was never enough. But still you wouldn't return to me," says the LORD.

Amos 4:9 "I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you wouldn't return to me," says the LORD.

Amos 4:10 "I sent plagues against you like the plagues I sent against Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and slaughtered all your horses. The stench of death filled the air! But still you wouldn't return to me," says the LORD.

Amos 4:11 "I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like half-burned sticks snatched from a fire. But still you wouldn't return to me," says the LORD.

The pattern is clear. God has brought all these calamities because He desires change, He desires relationship with His chosen creation. But still...

Father, may we not ignore the "but still" moments of Your chastening. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you ignoring His voice? Jan
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Amos 3 - But always

These prophetic books of doom and gloom always seem so depressing. But in actuality they are books of hope.

Amos 3:7 "But always, first of all, I warn you through my servants the prophets. I, the Sovereign LORD, have now done this."

God does not want any to perish. We're clearly told that in John 3:16. Prophetic messages such as the book of Amos are warning to the people to change. If they don't then the results of the prophecy will come to pass.

Sadly, they hardly ever changed.

Father, may we not miss the "but always" moments in our lives. Thank You for Your mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Listen for His voice. Jan
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Amos 2 - Warrior vs. Warrior

I remember reading Mad Magazine years ago. One cartoon in it that I particularly enjoyed was Spy vs. Spy. There was a spy who wore white, and one who wore black. In each cartoon one spy would set up some elaborate plan to annihilate his enemy - the other spy. Yet somehow, the intended recipient of the harm was always able to turn the tables and prevail.

I see in this chapter that the warriors of the nations thought that they would never meet their equal. However, God the Mighty Warrior says differently, their weapons, their schemes, their strength will be insufficient. They will lose.

Amos 2:14-16 Your fastest runners will not get away. The strongest among you will become weak. Even the mightiest warriors will be unable to save themselves. The archers will fail to stand their ground. The swiftest soldiers won't be fast enough to escape. Even warriors on horses won't be able to outrun the danger. On that day, the most courageous of your fighting men will drop their weapons and run for their lives. I, the LORD, have spoken!

It is truly a terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.

Father, thank you that Jesus brought peace where there was once enmity. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don't make God mad. Jan
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Amos 1 - Certain Punishment

This is starting out as one seriously depressing book. But it is in the Bible and it is truth, so I'm looking for what truth God has for me. What jumped out at me was that punishment is certain for the ungodly.

Amos 1:3 This is what the LORD says: "The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! ...

Amos 1:6 This is what the LORD says: "The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer!...

Amos 1:9 This is what the LORD says: "The people of Tyre have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer!...

Amos 1:11 This is what the LORD says: "The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer!..

Amos 1:13 This is what the LORD says: "The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer!...

Do you see a theme here? Those that have oppressed, mistreated, stolen, and committed murder are now going to receive the punishment of God. I don't know about you, but I would not want to be one of the people groups mentioned by Amos.

Father, thank You that because of Jesus I am no longer under certain punishment. I am now covered by His grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Certain Love. Jan
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