Amos 6 - 11.24.2023
Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.
Amos 6:12-14
Do horses run on the rocky crags?
Does one plow the sea[b] with oxen?
But you have turned justice into poison
and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness—
you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar[c]
and say, “Did we not take Karnaim[d] by our own strength?”
For the Lord God Almighty declares,
“I will stir up a nation against you, Israel,
that will oppress you all the way
from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the Arabah.”
Romans 11:1-2, 11-12
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew….
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?
The prosperous nation of Israel had allowed pride to seep into their culture - their national identity. They began to believe it was by their own strength they accomplished victory, instead of by the strength of Him who strengthens me. The Lord declares through the prophet Amos that Israel will be oppressed.
The Lord speaks through the apostle Paul. Just because punishment has come to one nation does not mean he has rejected them. Paul writes that Israel did not fall so far as to be beyond recovery. For look at what their transgression brought? The wealth that was the life, teaching, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the world, the gentiles.
Application - How will you apply this to your life?
Lord, this morning as I read these words I was filled with hope. As I write in my journal today, there is a war going on in Israel. Lives have been taken by both sides. Possibly innocent ones. Anti-semitism and Islamophobia have begun to rear their ugly heads in our country as well as the rest of the world. This morning my life application will be to pray.
Prayer - Write out a prayer.
Thank you for reminding me this morning Lord what an amazing God you are. I am grateful that I can read verses about your just punishments followed by your amazing love. I pray for everyone who is living through the terror of war, that they would turn to You, that they would turn to Jesus Christ who gave to those of us who believed in Him - everything.
For those of us who know the word of God, I pray that we would not turn to hatred but to the teachings of our Lord and Savior. For those of us that don’t know you and have given ourselves over to sin, evil, and hatred my prayer is that I put my faith and my trust in Your capable, wise, and just hands.
Thank you for being a loving God. Thank you for your moments of correction. And thank you for those moments of peace.
I love you Lord. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
