Amos 6
Today's Passage: Amos 6
The phrase that keeps coming to mind for me while reading this passage is self-indulgence. We were designed to need rest, and rest is a good thing! But what the leaders of the Israelites were doing here was completely gratifying themselves through material possessions and were indifferent to those suffering around them.
The self-indulgence of God’s people presented itself in several ways: presuming safety because of trust in armies, the love of self as shown in verses 4-6, cruelty to those in need, and careless ignorance as shown in verse 6. There was economic prosperity at this time in Israel, and instead of using it to serve the Lord, those in power only served themselves. When the Lord prospers us, it is our responsibility to use it to glorify Him.
Because of the self-indulgence of Israel and its king and their rejection of God and the prophets, a great and terrible act of justice comes upon them. In verse 14, Amos prophesies that a powerful nation will oppress Israel, demolish their cities, and send their people into exile. Around 40 years after this was shared, Assyria swooped in and did exactly what Amos said they would. You can read more about that in 2 Kings 17.
Overall, the book of Amos focuses on two major sins that Israel is committing: an absence of true worship and a lack of justice. The rampant corruption and moral decay of Israel clearly shows that they did not truly love the Lord. Because of this, divine judgment is promised. But because of God’s covenant promise, the Lord will bring future restoration.
How have you been using your possessions to bring God glory? What can we learn from the mistakes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity?
Written By: Kaitlin White
The phrase that keeps coming to mind for me while reading this passage is self-indulgence. We were designed to need rest, and rest is a good thing! But what the leaders of the Israelites were doing here was completely gratifying themselves through material possessions and were indifferent to those suffering around them.
The self-indulgence of God’s people presented itself in several ways: presuming safety because of trust in armies, the love of self as shown in verses 4-6, cruelty to those in need, and careless ignorance as shown in verse 6. There was economic prosperity at this time in Israel, and instead of using it to serve the Lord, those in power only served themselves. When the Lord prospers us, it is our responsibility to use it to glorify Him.
Because of the self-indulgence of Israel and its king and their rejection of God and the prophets, a great and terrible act of justice comes upon them. In verse 14, Amos prophesies that a powerful nation will oppress Israel, demolish their cities, and send their people into exile. Around 40 years after this was shared, Assyria swooped in and did exactly what Amos said they would. You can read more about that in 2 Kings 17.
Overall, the book of Amos focuses on two major sins that Israel is committing: an absence of true worship and a lack of justice. The rampant corruption and moral decay of Israel clearly shows that they did not truly love the Lord. Because of this, divine judgment is promised. But because of God’s covenant promise, the Lord will bring future restoration.
How have you been using your possessions to bring God glory? What can we learn from the mistakes of Israel during a time of peace and prosperity?
Written By: Kaitlin White
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