Journal Through the Bible: Week 60 Thursday

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Amos 3:1-4:13

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth umto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hearts, is his name. 4:12-13

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Amos God told the whole family of Jacob to listen to what He had to say.
• God commanded His word to be published in the palaces of Ashdod and Egypt.
• God commanded them to assemble themselves upon the mountains of Samaria and behold the great tumults.
• God commanded the "kine of Bashan" (a term of cruelty, see Psalm 22:12) to listen to His judgment upon them for oppressing the poor and needy.
• In mockery God told them to come to offer profane offerings and sacrifices at Bethel and Gilgal.
• God told them to prepare to meet Him!

Does God make any promises?

• As remnants of the prey are removed from the predator's mouth so would God remove a remnant of the people of Israel and Syria from their conquerors.
• In the day that the LORD would visit the transgressions of Israel upon him He would also visit the altars of Bethel and cut off the horns of the altar so that they fall to the ground. The winter and summer houses would be destroyed and the ivory palaces would be ruined.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• God attempted to get their attention with signs, withholding rain in one place but not another, giving some bread but not others, and yet they did not seek Him. Jesus did the same in His earthly ministry. He gave signs as proof of His divinity, but all the people wanted were the miracles and the bread. Few sought to know His will.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day we will all meet God. Prepare now!