August 17, 2021

The Holy Scriptures are laden with examples of Yahweh’s people [Israel of old] living carelessly and unashamed of their sin and folly… even more problematic, was that because many Prophets had brought forth warnings and rebukes that unless they repented and turned back to Yahweh’s Torah, that bitter days and terrible judgments would come… tragically, the people paid no serious attention to these warnings.

Our devotional text for today comes from the book of Amos; who’s name is said to mean, “Burden-Bearer,” in Hebrew. As with so many of Yahweh’s Prophets, Amos was faithful… he admonished the sinful and hedonistic nation as Yahweh had instructed him.

Quoting, my paraphrase, from my [New Open Bible, study edition; Thomas Nelson Publishers] introduction to the Book of Amos… “In Amos’s time, Israel enjoyed a period of national optimism, business was good. And yet, underneath the surface, greed and injustice are festering. Hypocritical religious motions have replaced true worship, creating a false sense of security and a growing callousness to Yahweh’s disciplining hand. Famine, drought, plagues, death, destruction… nothing can force the people to their knees.”

In verse 3:3, Amos poses the question, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

As we pause for a moment to look around us, what do we see in our society that is much different than it was when Amos asked this question? With people’s diminishing interest in what Yahweh thinks, how can we expect a Holy, Righteous, and Just God to deal with our societies differently than He did with them…? When you read the Book of Amos, you get a front row seat to how Yahweh deals with His unfaithful and foolishly disobedient people; notice I said “HIS” people, as we are not talking about unbelievers and pagans here. What kind of warning should this sound in the ears of churchmen in our day.

After a sound rebuke and stern warning, defining their guilt and transgressions, we read these profound words:

"Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord.” amos 8:11 nkjv

We need to take notice of this… what could be more tragic to a “confessing believer,” carelessly disregarding their relationship and faithfulness to Yahweh, than to suddenly be “starved” from hearing His Word… ? That would be Spiritual darkness. It concerns me that the way things are today, that too many churchmen are living their lives as did the careless people Amos was sent to warn of the coming perils. I realize that some are distracted and battered by the social upheaval of the last 18 months or so. However, now is the time to turn our hearts and minds to the real thing that matters… Our personal relationship and faithfulness to our Savior and protector and deliverer and provider.

Shalom… John