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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Amos 3:1-8

3:1 Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:

“You only have I known
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your iniquities.

“Do two walk together,
unless they have agreed to meet?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
unless the Lord has done it?

“For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret
to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
who can but prophesy?” (ESV)

by Jerry Johnson

In Amos’ day many people thought they could have it both ways—living in idolatry and immorality most of the time and then offering God various gifts and religious rituals in a vain attempt to avoid punishment. At the outset of chapter three the Lord tells them it is because of his exclusive claim on them that he is obligated to punish their sin. This should serve as a warning to Christians who feel they can live in disobedience without suffering any residual consequences. How can we pretend to walk with God if we do not agree with him about both the destination and the route we take?



Copyright Information

Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2010, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.