Sometimes we are called into ministries where we have no experience. Like David, Amos was a shepherd yet was called into prophetic ministry. He listened to the Lion’s call.
Amos 1:
1 The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Judgment on Israel's Neighbours
2 And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers."
3 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron.
4 So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.
5 I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the sceptre from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir," says the LORD.
6 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they carried into exile a whole people to deliver them up to Edom.
7 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour her strongholds.
8 I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod, and him who holds the sceptre from Ashkelon; I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish," says the Lord GOD.
9 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they delivered up a whole people to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.
10 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, and it shall devour her strongholds."
11 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.
12 So I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah."
13 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.
14 So I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour her strongholds, with shouting on the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind;
15 and their king shall go into exile, he and his princes together," says the LORD.
Amos 2:
1 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.
2 So I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth, and Moab shall die amid uproar, amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet;
3 I will cut off the ruler from its midst, and will kill all its princes with him," says the LORD.
Judgment on Judah
4 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the LORD, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked.
5 So I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem."
Judgment on Israel
6 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals---
7 those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned;
8 they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
9 "Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath.
10 Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
11 And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?" declares the LORD.
12 "But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, 'You shall not prophesy.'
13 "Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down.
14 Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life;
15 he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
16 and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day," declares the LORD.
Things to think about…
1. God loves His people. Even when they are rebellious. He roars like a lion in judgement against their neighbours, Amos 1:2ff. All the nations and cities that are mentioned in Amos 1 are those that were against the northern tribes of Israel. I.E the cities of the Philistines :- Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza and Ekron as well as the Syrian kings Hazael and Ben-hadad and the Ammonites who were also Israel’s oppressors. Edom (Esau) was also used to go against his brother Israel in unison with these nations. God was going to punish them all. How? With the use of a greater nation – Assyria. The Lord continues to do this today. Gaza has been destroyed before our eyes in the last 2 years. We see this same with Syria and Lebanon with internal struggles of corrupt leadership being dealt with by Israel today. Syria still rejects God’s people as do the people in Gaza (ancient Gath) and the gospel. Iraq (Assyria) and the Iranian regime are still very much against Israel. Pray for Iran, Syria, Gaza and Israel that the gospel would shine in the conflicts we see presently.
2. Amos 1:9-11, Tyre part of ancient Israel of the northern kingdom is punished for oppressing Edom and handing them over to enemies. Edom (Esau) was the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). Grace should extend to family, even those who do not follow the God of Israel. But we also see Edom judged because they also did not show mercy to Israel when Israel needed to pass through their land to get to Canaan when it was time for Israel to inhabit the land of promise. While injustices may have been done to us, we also must be mindful that we transgress God’s laws every day. Humility in Christ acknowledges our own sin first. Jesus put it this way, “First take the log out of your own eye before you remove the splinter from your brother’s eye”, Matt 7:5.
3. Why was the Lord against Moab for burning to lime the bones of the king of Edom, Amos 2:1. Ans:- because it was an act of malice and injustice. Even though Edom (Esau) was not chosen like Israel (Jacob) his brother, the Lord still exalts mercy, honour and justice. God hates acts of cruelty and mindless violence. As God’s people we are called to be those who have the Spirit of mercy, grace and truth. God’s grace brings the fruit of the Spirit - peace.
4. Those who have more knowledge of the Lord will be judged more strictly. Judah had the law, the temple, the priesthood and the prophets. Yet here we see in Amos 2:4,5 that they also receive judgement because they rejected God’s truth. May we as followers of Jesus share Christ’s truth, not only through our words, but our actions. Pray the church in Australia reflects the true character of Christ.
5. Israel had turned away from the law and exalted prostitution and adultery, Amos 2:7. It lied and gave wine to the young Nazarite men who had taken a vow never to drink wine, vss 11,12. God had led them out of Egypt to possess the land of the Amorites to free them from slavery and idol worship. Yet here they are back at it. What a grief it is when Christians go back to the polluted waters of the world with an immoral lifestyle and expose themselves to the things that God has called them out of. Don’t go back to the world friends. Once your hand is on the gospel plough, don’t turn back to the world. Be holy as He is holy. Seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness that you may be truly blessed. The strength of youth and of the horse would not save Israel, Amos 2:14-16. For the Christian, in weakness, Christ’s strength is shown.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness and away from trying to mould character aside from the cross and repentance.
2. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
3. Pray for the Liberal party as they wrestle with leadership issues.
4. Pray for the people of Iran that they finally get their freedom from an oppressive regime
5. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
6. One for Israel ministry.
7. Conflict zones – especially within Africa, Israel, Iran and Ukraine
8. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
9. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
10. Finances to cover our needs
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for His blessing over our service on Sunday
2. Another day of joy on Sunday with new folks at our service.
3. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
4. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy.
5. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
6. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
7. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
8. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. All ministries on break over the school holidays
2. Kids@Church starts back Sunday 1st Feb
3. Members Meeting – Sunday 22nd Feb after the service
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 5. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin? A. No; he was holy, blameless, and undefiled.
