Today I read Amos, which talks about the God deciding to punish cities including Israel, giving Israel warnings first and destroying and then rebuilding the temple. Today I considered that God is watching what we are doing, will warn us before destruction comes, and eventually will restore His children.
God is Watching
God watches our behavior before deciding to punish the people. God decided to punish many places including Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel because of their evil ways (Amos 1:3-2:16). Their evil included not keeping the brotherly promise, destroying women with children, not keeping God’s law, selling God’s children, and oppressing the poor. We should remember that God can decide to punish us based on our behavior.
Warning Comes First
God gave Israel difficulties to face along with a person warning them before God took further action. God put Israel through decreased rain, mildew in places, plagues, being overthrown and more but they did not return to Him (Amos 4:4-5:3). God tells Israel to repent and be saved by seeking God, loving good, and hating evil (Amos 5:4-17). God warns the day of the Lord will be only darkness and judgment for everything including sacrificing to false gods (Amos 5:18-26). Even the people in Zion and in the palaces of Jacob will be delivered up (Amos 6:1-8). God always warns us before destruction comes.
Destruction then Restoration
God loves His children thus after destruction God will restore everything to them. Amos’ tells of his vision of Israel’s ruin including songs of the temple replaced with crying and having a scarcity for the hearing of God’s word. (Amos 8:1-14). Amos tells of the destruction of the sanctuary and the eventual rebuilding of the sanctuary, then Israel being blessed to never have to leave their land again (Amos 9:1-15). God’s restoration will come to His children to some during their lifetime and to some it will be given to the next generation.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Just because someone does not speak out against behavior does not mean they agree with it. They may not feel like they have the power to stop it or to change anything. God does not condemn them for this, see the verse below:
“Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.” Amos 5:13 KJV
“So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time.” Amos 5:13 NLT
Have you ever been quiet because you did not feel like you could change the situation?
So many people anticipate the coming of the Lord, but in Amos we are warned not to anticipate that day. See the verse below:
“Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.” Amos 5:18 KJV
“What sorrow awaits you who say, “If only the day of the LORD were here!” You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light.” Amos 5:18 NLT
What have you been looking forward to and then learned there was more to it than you expected?