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May 11 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 131

We can't call him Famous Amos because we don't know that much about him.  But his book offers a look at the social injustice and religious arrogance of the people.  Check out today's Bible Project video about Amos.


DAILY READINGS

Amos 1-5 & Psalm 126

DAILY NOTES

Amos 1
  • All we know about Amos is taken from the first verse of this chapter.  He is not mentioned anywhere else.
  • You'll notice that Amos' roaring message is, first, against other nations.  They have done things worthy of God's judgement.  In the next chapter, God's judgement turns toward Israel and Judah.
Amos 2
  • For 3 transgressions and for four....That is a pattern repeated to illustrate the people's continuing sin.
  • Even in the face of God's provision and selection, the people turned away from God.
Amos 3
  • Everything that God has planned to do against the people is not without cause.  
Amos 4
  • A judgement against the women of Samaria.  They are lofty, arrogant and oppressive.  
  • From Verse 6 on the prophet reiterates that the people had their chance to hear God's call to repentance.  Repeatedly, God tried to reach their hearts, but they did not listen.  
Amos 5
  • Even after all that has been said, God offers an invitation to "seek me and live."  
  • Notice the sin that is highlighted throughout this chapter (and 1-4).  
    • God is not impressed with religious ritual.  Keep that.  Rather, "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
Psalm 126
  • In a time of need, the psalmist looks back on previous moments that the Lord delivered the people.  With that memory, he is sure that those who may now "reap in tears" will "come home with shouts of joy."

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Here's something to think about: Why did God include the judgments against the foreign nations?  Why did God want Israel and Judah to know what he was doing to them?  It seems like judging the people of God alone would have been sufficient.  What was God trying to say?  To prove?  To illustrate?

I'll wait.......

Stay blessed...john

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