An Important Note To Students And Teachers
Gods desire is to use His character and power to bless us. He refused to give up on us when humanity became (by choice) everything God did not create it to be. His creation, including people, was good (Genesis 1:31). It was peoples choice to become evil. Gods original intent was for us to be and know only good.
When we failed God through rebellion, God did not give up. When people proved it was impossible for them to correct their mistake, God did not give up. Gods intent was to rescue people from evil through a Messiah. That was His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:3b). His intent was for Israel to lead people to God (Isaiah 49:6). His purpose from His promise to Abraham was to send His son to serve as our Messiah or Christ (Acts 3:12-26). We are the saved because God sent Jesus to be our Christ.
However, there is a limit to Gods patience. God does not anger easily, but He has a point of anger. Unlike humanity, His anger is just. When His just anger is aroused by human rebellion and indifference, the resources that would have blessed are redirected toward our destruction.
Amos message is an unforgettable example. In the entirety of the Kingdom of Israels existence, there was not one king who led his subjects to God. Repeatedly, they turned to idolatry. Their religious efforts for generations insulted God. Finally, God could endure no more. He sent Amos to tell them of certain destruction.
Amos message came at a time of great prosperity and political stability. Gods declaration seemed impossible. Amos underlined two offenses that irritated God: (a) their use of prosperity for self-indulgence; (b) their abuse of poor and needy Israelites.
Amos made two points that are chilling. Point one: God does not prosper His people for the purpose of self-indulgence. Point two: When Gods people exploit the poor and needy, they do so to their own spiritual destruction.
Amos in a basic way deals with the objective of life. Is life to be defined by self-indulgence? Do powerless people exist to be used by powerful people? Amos declared that Gods purpose for His people is the opposite of a self-indulgent lifestyle. He also declared the abuse of the poor (either by exploitation or ignorance) is an abuse against Him. The height of deception in any generation is in believing security results from confidence in (a) who we are and (b) what we accomplish.
Because of deception and wicked behavior, they who were Gods people would no longer exist as a nation. Gods people became Gods enemy by forsaking Gods ways. This is a relevant message for us today!
