Short Reflection from Amos 1-9

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟙:𝟛, 𝟞, 𝟡, 𝟙𝟙, 𝟙𝟛

"Thus says the LORD, 'For three transgressions of _ _ _ and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they _ _ _'"

The judgment formula in Amos Chapter 1, occurs 5 times.

Three things are observed:

1. God is a sovereign judge. He shall bring justice.

2. God is a just judge. He shall repay each one accordingly.

3. God is a patient judge. He waits for people to repent, not striking them at first, but giving them chances and opportunities to mend their way.

This is the same God we worship!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟚:𝟜-𝟝

"Thus says the LORD, 'For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they rejected the law of the LORD And have not kept His statutes; Their lies also have led them astray, Those after which their fathers walked. So I will send fire upon Judah And it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem.'"

The judgment formula continues in chapter 2. Now, upon God's chosen people. Indeed, God shall judge accordingly: each one shall give his account to Him!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟛:𝟚

"You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities."

This sounds so scary when we read casually. But actually, what comforting words of punishment! Even in punishment, they can be comforted and be hopeful that God has chosen them to be His own. Punishments are to bring repentance unto God. Not to damn them.

This is true for Christians as well.

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

It was told in Mount Sinai in a positive sense: Prepare to meet your God. It is told here in a negative sense. It is commanded to prepare for the coming of Christ, again in a positive sense. At the same time a negative one for those who wouldn't believe in Christ—face judgment!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟝:𝟝-𝟞

"But do not resort to Bethel And do not come to Gilgal, Nor cross over to Beersheba; For Gilgal will certainly go into captivity And Bethel will come to trouble. "𝕊𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕆ℝ𝔻 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖, Or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel,"

There's no salvation under heaven except in God (Acts 4:12). David abandoned Saul's armour and relied on God's protection.  Joshua abandoned all military strategies and sought to obey God in marching around Jericho 7 times.

Seek God's way, His will, His time!

 

[11:22 am, 27/07/2022] S.R: 𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟞:𝟙𝟜

"'For behold, I am going to raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel,' declares the LORD God of hosts, 'And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath To the brook of the Arabah.'"

Sin in life (maybe disobedience, unbridled tongue, lust, envy, worry, and even laziness) is already hard but if we don't fight them, God would raise up a great adversary for us to realize and repent unto the Lord. God always did that in the Bible times.

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟟:𝟝-𝟞

"Then I said, "Lord GOD, please stop! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?" The LORD changed His mind about this. "This too shall not be," said the Lord GOD."

This is one of the reasons why I am happy to be a pastor. To intercede for my church members and be answered by God.

Guys, maybe, certain calamity would have happened to you, if not for somebody's prayer! Could be your parents, friends, pastors, etc...

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟠:𝟜

"Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land"

There are some people who are poorer than us, richer than us, and just like us. Let's be compassionate to the poor, not take advantage of them. Let's pity the rich, not curse them. Let's not be envious of anyone! Rather, let's imitate our Lord, to be humble, to be compassionate, and to be gracious!

 

𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕤 𝟡:𝟙𝟙

"In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old."

Our God is a God of Restoration. That's why every night we come before Him in confession, repentance, and confidence!