RE Verse reading–Amos 1-2 (day five) “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back my WRATH” (vs 6, chapter 2) For those of us schooled on John 3:16, it is a strange word. Not as rare as we may think, but unfamiliar none the less. Wrath translates the Hebrew word pequddah which means “visitation”. It speaks of the day when God comes for a painful, corrective reckoning. Amos is very aware of this gathering wrath. He declares God’s hatred for things that DESTROY. Cruelty in war (1:3) Broken promises of brotherhood (1:9) Injustice to the poor (2:7) He also declares God’s hatred for things that DISTRACT. “I hate your religious feasts. . .away with the noise of your songs, but let justice roll down like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (5:21-24, next week’s lesson) With a clear vision for the potential of the human race, God rightfully hates the things that destroy or distract us from His high holy purpose.
This is such a rich discussion.
Although my take on the book of Amos is that you cannot truly understand what is being spoken about without referencing the kingdom of darkness, we can find common ground in God’s hatred of the things that destroy or distract…I just happen to think that the things which destroy and distract man come from him being deceived or not rightly viewing things from God’s perspective of true reality (my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge) Hosea 4.
Interesting how the heavenly hosts in Luke 2 said, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” And again, in Zecharias’ prophecy “To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” Also interesting that Jesus being the express image of the invisible God came not destroying/threatening (challenging them yes… but not destroying) man but healing and extending Grace. 1 John 3 says, “The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
Although I highly agree in your conclusion from yesterday’s post that we should always repent quickly…I just think that might happen more frequently if we accurately saw that he who practices sin is of the devil…Devil bad (leads to destruction)… God really, really Good (leads to LIFE)… maybe I am just simple- minded, but for me this makes my choices easier. (“If God is for us”…Romans 8 )
The best part of the post is the reference to “but let justice roll down like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream.”… which to me seems to be a beautiful reference to the coming Holy Spirit which would be poured out because of what our Lord would do for us. “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.” Ps 46. I cannot wait for next week’s discussion of this.
God Bless you. Father, I ask for wisdom… that we would truly understand Your Ways and what it is you require from us and have done for us. Thank you for all you have done for us! Please open our eyes!! Amen.