prophecy – Page 40 – Be Still…

Amos 2:1-8 – A Wake-Up Call

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.

Amos 1:1-15 – The Lord Speaks

Read Amos 1:1-15

Amos was just a layperson like me, not a paid professional like a pastor who preaches as their vocation. Amos devoted his life to serving the Lord. You could find him herding his sheep and tending to the sycamore-fig trees in the Judean countryside. He came from a humble family, but God saw his heart. God told him to take his message to the northern kingdom of Israel, but the message continues to bring wisdom to all generations.

If you’ve been following my devotional blog, it wasn’t long ago that we walked together through the books of 1 and 2 Kings. You’ll find reflections on what was happening in the lives of these kings as well as God’s people. I love how we have nearly a snapshot in time of when Amos first heard from God between knowing about the earthquake and the kings in power at the time. As we read through the Book of Amos, imagine what it would have been like to bring such messages to the people.

2 Kings 8:7-15 – God is in Control

Read 2 Kings 8:7-15

I can’t even imagine the anguish Elisha was feeling as he delivered this message to Hazael. Sometimes the truth is painful. The first part of Elisha’s message gave the sick king hope, however short lived it was! As for Hazael, he didn’t waste much time in putting his succession plan in place, did he?

What struck me was how the king of Aram showed his devotion and reverence for Elisha and the LORD. He had seen the LORD at work on several occasions, and his faithfulness and trust is noteworthy! I wonder what Hazael was thinking as he gathered these lavish gifts to show the king’s appreciation to a foreign prophet?

December 21 🌟 Immanuel (Isaiah 7:10-16)

Read Isaiah 7:10-16

Immanuel means “God with us.” It’s one of the names we use for Jesus, especially at this time of year. Just let that little nugget resonate with you for a moment. In just a few short days we’ll be celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Immanuel. Because of Jesus, we have God with us. Do you believe that?

This prophecy from God through Isaiah may have a double fulfillment. We are most familiar with Matthew’s quoting the portion that refers to Jesus’ mother. “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” From our perspective, Jesus fulfills this without question.

December 3 🌟 Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

Read Jeremiah 33:14-16

Heart made up of words used over and over "Christ is Your Righteousness"

Righteousness is one of those “churchy” words that might seem off-putting if you’re not familiar with the simple beauty. When I see that word, “righteousness,” I immediately translate it in my head to be–“right with God.” But the meaning is so much deeper and richer than that.

For me, I prefer to be on God’s “good side.” I’d be deceiving myself if I thought I was able to do it all on my own. That’s what makes righteousness, in this context, to be such a gift. God gave us Jesus to make us right with God.