Daily Bread for Sep 23, Amo 1-5

Today’s readings are Amo 1-5.

Historical context is important in the book of Amos.  Amos was a shepherd/farmer during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel and Uzziah (Azariah) in Judah, both of whom were kings before the Assyrian invasion. As such, the events in Amos occur a bit before the events in Isaiah's opening chapters. In other words, Amos prophesies before the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) Kingdoms fall, before the Assyrian invasion, before the Babylonian/Chaldean invasions and before the Persians defeat Babylon and send the Jews back to Judah.

Note; the dates of Joel are debated

Times were highly prosperous for both kingdoms. Amos is sent to Israel to warn them to stop oppressing the poor, turn away from greed and injustice and to turn away from mixing idolatry in with their worship of God. They're told to seek God only. They're warned that failure to do so will have extremely harsh consequences and end up with them in exile, in a foreign land. Still, God promises a remnant.

Amos 1:1 sets the tone. Amos's vision comes two years before "the earthquake" (Zech 2:15, Isaiah 29:6). This may refer to a massive earthquake running along the Jordan Rift (a major fault line that runs through the Jordan Valley) that occurred around 760 BC and affected many of the major cities along that fault line. Amos 1:2 most likely refers to a drought sent by God. As the earth below them shakes and the skies above them deny rain, the Jews would take those as signs that they are on the verge of judgment.

The following verses, running through Amos 2:16, recite oracles against the nations surrounding Israel, prophesying judgment for each of them with Israel sitting right in the middle.

The first four nations mentioned; Damascus (Syria), the Philistines, Edom and Tyre (Phoenicia) place Israel right in the crosshairs. Amon and Moab will be judged for being ungodly too.

Judah will be judged, but by a higher standard than the others, by the law of the Lord (Amos 2:4-5).  God will not ignore the sins of His people; He will call them into account. Eventually, those sins will be covered by Christ, but we should never take sin lightly. God does not. As we read in Joel, God always calls for repentance. Otherwise, as Judah and Israel will see, there are consequences.

Amos 2:6 turns its attention to Israel, the Northern Kingdom. Rather than being spared the judgment of those rival nations, Israel's will be harsher. The judgment prophecies continue through Amos 5.

Notice, though, that these prophecies come prior to the judgment. The warning is that Israel will suffer these judgments only if they remain on the path they're on. They have every opportunity to repent. Furthermore, the consequences are laid out quite clearly. God's words of judgment are an expression of His grace, warning them to turn back toward Him before the judgment falls on them.

His word serves the same function in our lives. It guides us in how we should live in a manner that honors Him. While our heavenly home is sealed and guaranteed, the evidence of that seal will be our desire to obey His word. He will exhibit grace when we stumble. But, there will be an earthly price to pay if we willfully and blatantly disobey Him.