Court Is in Session!
Amos 5:4-6, 18-24; 6:1a, 4-7
Chapter 5 begins with what one writer calls a “lamentation for a dead nation.” Although the armies of Assyria had not begun to march, Israel was as good as dead. As you read these verses, you will note both the judgment pronounced and the reasons for the judgment. Since God has not changed in His expectations of His people, we should pay close attention to the accusations against Israel. Perhaps you will notice that the accusations read like today’s news about many churches and the believers who attend them. Empty religious activity and self-centeredness displease God as much today as they did when Amos was preaching. Too many in the church today equate busyness and simply participating in certain religious activities as spiritual life. God wanted more then, and wants more now, than just being busy with religious activities.
Looking for life in all the wrong places (Amos 5:4-6). The Israelites had never realized that going to a place where religious people gather is not the same as “seeking God.” Going to a sanctuary is relatively easy; meeting God and experiencing true worship is quite another thing. The spiritual nature of God makes worship a matter of the spirit rather than simply a matter of place. Today, believers need desperately to discover that patterns of worship, of any type, can never be an adequate substitute for a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God urged His people to seek Him and stop going to places of idolatry and false worship. We can only find full and meaningful life in knowing God personally.
Longing for a rescue day (Amos 5:18-20). There was a popular view in Israel that the day of the Lord would be a day of victory for God’s people and a day of disaster for all enemies. The view presented a utopian situation, whereby God’s actions would be ultimate light and brightness for His people. For Amos, the popular view was hopelessly superficial. He preached that God would come in judgment because of sin. The victory of God would be over sin rather than political enemies. God rebukes all who brashly presume that His coming will be a day of rescue for them, regardless of their sinful living.
Substituting rites for right living (Amos 5:21-24). God declared that He despised His people’s empty worship rituals and stated that He expected the people to live right and treat others justly. It should be understood that Amos’ purpose was purification rather than abolition. In verse 24, he says, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” He could see nothing less stemming the tide of meaninglessness in their worship.
Caring about self but not others (Amos 6:1a, 4-7). The leaders had led the people into this disastrous situation. They had a false sense of security. They were guilty of living without consideration of others and treating them with heartless indifference. God admonished His people that they could not live in wealth and ignore the physical, social and spiritual decay of those around them. Let the church hear the word of the Lord and obey.
Davis– Lessons in the ETB series for the winter quarter are being written by Ron Davis, director of missions for Greenville Baptist Association.