Amos 4 (3)

Pray Psalm 106.6, 48.
We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly…
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the LORD!

Sing Psalm 106.6, 48.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
We have sinned, just like our fathers; we have done iniquity.
Just like them, our hearts have wandered; we have acted wickedly.
Refrain
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Read Amos 4.1-8; meditate on verses 6-8.

Preparation
1. How did God warn Israel?

2. How did Israel respond?

Meditation
Famine and drought: God gave two powerful warnings to His people, that they might wake up from their sinful condition and return to Him.

It’s hard to imagine two more devastating punishments. Nothing to eat, no water for crops or animals or children. These were short-term events, but sufficiently severe to have led the people to call on God for relief. But they would not. They continued to pursue their false gods, their idols, just as people today who undergo difficult times nevertheless think that more money or different people in office will restore or ensure their comfort.

But men are not sovereign. The world is not governed by impersonal physical laws. God is sovereign, even over the weather. And when He brings inclement, even destructive weather upon us, it’s a good idea to search our souls, call on Him for relief, give Him thanks for His many blessings, and turn from any offensive ways.

Our own nation has experienced drought in many places. And people all around the country suffer from shortages of food and shelter. Terrible storms batter us more than ever. But are we turning to the Lord? Or do we continue to trust in politicians, scientists, better times, or mere hope?

God is warning His people now just as He did ancient Israel. They would not listen. Will we?

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Clean teeth. On first thought that sounds like a good thing, but the reason for their cleanness, was not good. They were clean because the folks were not eating. And that is never a good thing (Amos 4.6).

Sometimes we look around and think we are doing just fine. On the surface, it seems that we and our churches are fine-tuned instruments, humming along, “Thank you very much.” But underneath all the jovial, pristine cleanness, the people are starving. Just like in Amos’ day.

Peter was a fisherman and Jesus told him, “Feed My lambs…Tend My sheep…Feed My sheep” (Jn. 21.15, 16, 17). Jesus set the precedent with Peter. All are called to ministry; none are allowed to lay the responsibility for their spiritual growth at the feet of someone else. We are told to do that ourselves (Phil. 2.12).

So, unless we want to end up hungry and thirsty in a drought and famine of the Word, we’d best get busy (Amos 4.6-8; 8.11).

God told Isaiah to get out the big grip crayons and write His words before the people: “write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll” (Is. 30.8). He accused them of being rebellious, lying children who would not hear the law of the LORD (Is. 30.9).

Those people also told their seers, “Do not see” and their prophets “Do not prophesy to us right things.” What they wanted was to be told “smooth things” and “deceits” (Is. 30.10). “Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us” they said (Is. 30.11).

They were exhibiting willful power against others; they were not helpless. They could have even encouraged their leaders to speak the truth. But they were awfully busy desiring other things; and they were not seeking to grow in their knowledge of God.

And they were held responsible for their actions. They were culpable beings.

Jesus encouraged a healed leper to help his church leaders stay on the right path. He sent the leper to be a positive witness to them. After Jesus healed him, He told him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Matt. 8.4).

Every believer is called to study the Word of God, to be useful and obedient Kingdom workers, approved by God, so that we can hear Him say to us, “Well done”. Workers who “Know what His Word says and means” (2 Tim. 2.15 TLB).

We dare not leave it up to the “professionals” to make this happen.

However, we are to encourage our pastors to “see” the Word, to preach “right things”—even hard and convicting things—and always, please, preach the truth (2 Tim. 4.2).

All believers need the strength that is gained through proper worship. We all have important work to do.

Jesus says to all believers, “You follow Me” (Jn. 21.19, 22).
The path that never lacks water and bread (Jn. 4.10; 6.48).

Reflection
1. How’s your time in the Word with Jesus? Are you learning Jesus from your time in the Word? Do you see any areas where your time in the Word could be improved?

2. Why is it important that our reading and study of Scripture should always lead us to Jesus?

3. Whom will you encourage today by asking them to share from their time in the Word?

Now since the end of punishment is to turn men to God and his service, it is evident, when no fruit follows, that the mind is hardened in evil. Hence the Prophet shows here, that the Israelites were not only guilty, but had also pertinaciously resisted God, for their vices could be corrected by no punishment. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Amos 4.6-8

Pray Psalm 106.44-48.
Give thanks and praise to God that He forgives our sins and works always to gather us to Himself. Commit yourself anew to Him today.

Sing Psalm 106.44-48.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
Look upon us, LORD, with favor, see us in our sore distress!
Hear our cries, with love surround us; turn again to heal and bless!
Refrain
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Save us, LORD, from every nation; gather us from all our ways.
And we to Your Name will offer glorious thanks and endless praise!
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.