Bible Truth Daily Devotion

Amos 4:1-13

President Obama called Americans sharing a stubborn resiliency (http://www.entertonement.com/clips/fzbvdgrjhs–10).  Certainly he meant it in a good light.  But there is a fine line about being stubbornly wrong and resilient in doing the right thing.  Today’s chapter is a good reminder of this distinction. 

Commentary:

Amos 4:1-3. Amos called the women of Israel “cows of Bashan.”  Why?  Apparently, the cows were well fed, like the women were.  Furthermore, the women were carefree and indulgent.    

The women and the others, like the cows, would be slaughtered.  They would be led away by the Assyrians with a meat hook.  They would die on their way to Assyria in Mt. Harmon. 

Amos 4:4. Worship places were set up in Bethel and Gilgal by the Israel kings.  They were not sanctioned by God; the only place of worship was in Jerusalem.  The kings of the Northern Kingdom wanted to prevent their ten tribes from worshipping in Jerusalem and from any likelihood of reintegration with the Southern Kingdom.  But the very act of worshipping in Bethel and Gilgal sinned against God.  Worshipping in Bethel, situated at the border between the Kingdoms and was less than 10 miles north of Jerusalem, only accentuated this idolatry practice. 

Amos 4:6-11.  Prior to the complete devastation, the LORD God had sent famine (v. 6) and drought (vv. 7-8) as warning.  Moreover, there were plagues (vv. 9-10), wars (v. 10), and supernatural disasters (v. 11).  From a viewpoint of humanity, the Jews had a stubborn resiliency.  From God’s point of view, they were just stubborn and had sadly missed the warnings from God.

Amos 4:12-13. The LORD God is the Almighty.  He is omnipotent and omniscience.  He will make clear to His people of His attributes.  Israel would face God for the judgment.

Meditation:

The people of Israel carried on their idolatry despite warnings after warnings.  That was resiliently stubborn.  That was wrong and only led to judgment to come.

Is American stubbornly resilient or resiliently stubborn?  We certainly had our share of disasters as warnings.  Instead of moving from sins, we strive to be stubbornly resilient and to continue our sinful ways.  We are making homosexuality the mainstream in government and everyday school life.  More than half of the adults are regular alcohol users.  Pornographic use is prevalent although still mostly private.  Most importantly, we are denying God in important venues of our life and set up idols in His place. 

Remember this: God will surely judge.  What happens to Israel will happen to all who deny God.  Be prepared to meet our Maker.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending warnings after warnings.  We pray that people will awake from their stubbornness and return to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.