Chapter 8           

       AMOS:  PROPHET OF JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS         

 

The plumb line is great way of remembering the message of Amos.  Read Amos 8, which has another vision.  What does this vision have in common with the three in Amos 7?   How is it different?   

Years ago, before a drought, hit California, our plumb tree was abundant with fruit.  We picked them before the squires, birds and yes, a coyote ate them, as they had the previous year.  Our purpose was to give them to neighbors and take some to church.  First, we would enjoy some of the delicious fruit and make jelly etc.  Because of busy schedules, by the time we were ready to give away the fruit, it was overripe, not the fresh or as beautiful as when they were picked.  There was terrible smell.  We learned many lessons and were heartbroken that others were not able to enjoy the fruit because of our preoccupation with other things.

Note the specific charges in this vision.  What does it say about the condition of Israel?  Hear this v. 4-14.   Is spoken to among others, wealthy merchants who rob the poor and trample down the needy!, who kept the religious festivals but not in the right spirit:  They Couldn’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over.   We are only about one month away from Advent, the four weeks of preparation of the birth of Jesus.  In some denominations Christians fast until Christmas Eve. Many of us, may fast during Lent. Some Christians who are required to fast or avoid eating certain foods may say: “I miss …”  Advent and Lent are not so much about “giving something up … as doing something for someone, listening to a person.  In so doing they are demonstrating what Jesus taught, (The Heart of Jesus). Ritual without a genuine spirit of serving God is a sham and meaningless.

Apathy towards God’s Word would result in famine, not, only of food and water but in hearing the words of the Lord.  People will stagger … searching for word of the Lord but will not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

Imagine if you had no access to a Bible or worship services, would you stagger searching for God’s Word?  Give thanks to God for the freedom and opportunity of reading the Bible, God’s Word in this wonderful country.

Prayer:
Give thanks to God for His Word.  Pray for those who are forbidden from reading the Bible or have never heard of the transformative love shown through the heart of Jesus. Pray that the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) will be evident in your life. 

 

Next week I will conclude this series with Amos 9 and then take a break from writing for a while.