Totally Lacking #4

 

Read Amos 4

Background: Having spent the last two chapters pronouncing the coming judgment on Israel, one might hope that they would repent and be spared, but it becomes very evident in this chapter that any sign of remorse or repentance was only on the surface and that no since confession or worship were taking place. They were still oppressing the poor, while living the party life. They increased their sacrifices, but at the fake temple in Bethel.  God had sent all sorts of signs of discipline: famine, pestilence - even some of the same signs He had sent to Egypt and Sodom and Gomorrah, yet they did not take the hint: they continued in rebellion against God, ignoring the warnings of judgment.

Key Verses: 12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel;
    because I will do this to you,
    prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind,
    and declares to man what is his thought,
who makes the morning darkness,
    and treads on the heights of the earth—
    the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

God repeats Himself to be very clear: It is HE who is doing this. They needed to prepare to meet God.  In context here that has only an unfavorable tone to it: they would meet the scary side of God: His offended holiness.  He was acting upon His rights as Creator and the One Who has revealed Himself. He is also the "God of Hosts" Who has angel armies to carry out His work and His Will.  How often does God need to speak before we listen?