Be Still… – Page 214 – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

Amos 5:1-15 – Simply Repent

man and woman kneeling before a cross with a sun set behind them

I love how Bernhard Anderson’s commentary on Amos states, “Christians should need no special urging to turn to the prophets of ancient Israel.” Don’t we see how Jesus’ own back story is being written in what is happening now to his ancestors. The traditions of Jesus’ day were strongly influenced by what we see happening to Amos and the people surrounding him. Yet, the wisdom being given to Amos from God could just as well be speaking to us. Do you see it, too?

As if they were already dead, in this reading Amos is singing a funeral song to the Israelites who were listening. Can you imagine the lament and feeling of despair the messenger, Amos, was feeling at having to deliver such a message to his people? But he was giving them a way out, a gift that will be left unaccepted.

Amos 4:1-13 – Didn’t They See God

Read Amos 4:1-13

Close-up of a blue eye with reflection of Jesus on the pupil

What more did God need to do to get their attention? I don’t think we should be pointing any fingers. What sorts of ways does God use now to capture our awareness of his presence?

The examples we see here don’t elicit pleasant experiences at all. God seems to be hoping that when his people feel weak and defeated, they will turn to him for help. God was taking credit for in his proclamation from Amos.

Amos 3:3-15 – Who is Guilty?

Read Amos 3:3-15

God found Israel so guilty of sinning he said, “My people have forgotten how to do right.” Do you ever look around at your fellow humans and think the same thing? There is certainly a lot happening in our day that is contrary to God’s will and intention for us.

We are all guilty. We are all sinners. Many will be in denial and try to condone their behavior. The Israelites were very good at doing that as we can see. God is calling them out, but are we not guilty, too, of listening to the world and following popular thought? Is even being tolerant of behavior we know to be sinful a sin?

Amos 2:9-3:2 – How Does God Feel?

Read Amos 2:9-3:2

man with his head in his hands in frustrated posture

Have you ever thought about what God “feels”? Is it possible that we ever hurt God’s feelings? I know I’m projecting my feeble humanity on God, and that is pretty limiting in and of itself. But our text would suggest that God is frustrated with his wayward children.

I don’t think there’s a parent alive, or anyone that has worked with children, that hasn’t had moments when pulling our hair out seems like the best option. Unruly children can be exhausting. Each time we have to remind them the reasons good behavior is expected, the more frustrated we can become. I’m sensing a bit of frustration in Amos’ prophecy from God. Will the people never understand?

Amos 2:1-8 – A Wake-Up Call

Read Amos 2:1-8

For the Israelites hearing Amos’ words, was this the wake-up call that would finally work in bringing repentance? Amos saved the “best” for last. What were the Israelites thinking when they heard judgment against themselves? They had likely been thinking all this talk of judgment was only to the surrounding nations. But Israel and Judah were not immune to God’s raging anger.

In case you’d like to connect some dots like I did and realize who all the players are in this prophecy God gave Amos, let’s dig in a little bit. Some of these nations have ancestral connections to the Israelites. Edom and Israel are both descendants from Isaac: Edom from Esau, and Israel from his twin, Jacob. The Ammonites had descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his younger daughter. And finally, from this reading, the Moabites descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his older daughter. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.

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