Reading
SAA Notes
Ashdod and Egypt (the Philistines and the Egyptians) were the two witnesses to God’s dealing with His people. Judgment is not a light matter for God. Nature itself is here the agent of His judgment. Nature rebels against man as man rebels against God. This is one terrible consequence of Adam’s sin – we cast off God’s authority over our lives, we cast off His providential care. We must live in a very broken world!
SJA Notes
* Gracious Lord, please show us today what You want us to know from Your word.
“… Yet you did not return to me,”
A damning phrase is repeated through this passage.
In reading Joel we saw that the ravaging of Israel’s economy was an opportunity given by God for Israel to repent.
Here in Amos the Lord gives a number of examples of further opportunities (hard examples).
The Lord God Almighty worked with His mighty hand, terrible acts, to draw His people to Him.
Blight. Mildew. Pestilence. Sword. Overthrown.
This is important for us today, for God’s people and for all of humanity.
PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, O ISRAEL!
We cannot escape from God’s sovereign will. We cannot goose-step or skip fast away. He is the hound of heaven that chases us down with relentless intent.
That intent is JUDGEMENT for all who reject Him, and LOVE for His people (judgement having been poured out on Jesus, the Lamb slain, He bore our stripes).
For us His people, it is God’s LOVE that drives this chastisement. It is His GRACE that we see writ large in turning us to repentance.
We can be reminded that we serve the God who formed the mountains, who created the wind, who declares to us what are our own thoughts!
The LORD, the God of hosts – This is He!
* Father God,
Thank You that You rescue us from our rebellious state.
Thank You that though our hearts were hardened You called us, hounded us, brought us to the foot of the cross – You saved us!
Thank You Lord – What a Saviour You are!
Amen.