 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Amos commentaries
Amos 3:1-15
Authority of the Prophet’s Message
Amos 4:1-13
Israel Did Not Accept Correction
Amos 5:1-15
A Call to Repentance
Amos 5:16-27
The Day of the Lord
Amos 6:1-14
Warnings to Zion and Samaria
Amos 7:1-17
Visions of judgment
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Warnings to Zion and Samaria
Amos 6:1–14
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
At one point in his ministry, noted preacher Harry Ironside worried that he was not as humble as he ought to be. When he asked a friend for advice, his friend suggested that Ironside make a large sandwich board sign with the plan of salvation in Scripture written on it and walk t … More
Amos condemned the rich, powerful leaders for living in luxury gained through violence and for ignoring the poor of the land (vv. 1-7). One of the main reasons Israel’s spiritual life had declined was because God’s people had grown complacent (v. 1). They had grown smug and self-confident deriving a sense of false security from the prosperity they had enjoyed over the years. The leaders of Judah and Samaria seemed to have believed that, since they had a special place in God’s plan, they would enjoy prosperity and escape the judgment of their neighbors (v. 2). These self indulgent Israelites wanted only the best for themselves (vv. 3-6). In their eyes they thought they would be “the first of the captives” (v. 7).
The Lord swore by Himself because no higher authority existed (vv. 8-14). The people had built luxurious homes to flaunt their achievements (vv. 8-11). While it is not wrong to live in nice houses, we must not let them become sources of inflated pride and self-glorification. God hates pride (v. 8). He gave our homes to us, and they are to be used for service, not just for show. The people hesitated to speak God’s name even during a time of grief, for fear that they would attract His attention and be judged also (v. 10). The conduct was as absurd as plowing on rocks (v. 12).
Israel’s pride had grown to such a proportion that extreme measures were required. Recent military successes led them to believe they were invincible (v. 13). God’s people would soon learn from bitter experience that their strongest fortresses would not protect them. They had failed to practice righteousness. The Lord Himself would raise an enemy to destroy them (v. 14).
Application
Are we at ease in Zion? I need to be careful. With all the comforts and luxuries of life, I am apt to become thoughtless of the miseries of poverty and misfortune.
Amos 6:1-14 (English Standard Version)
"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence? "Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away." The Lord GOD has sworn by himself, declares the LORD, the God of hosts: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it." And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die. And when one's relative, the one who anoints him for burial, shall take him up to bring the bones out of the house, and shall say to him who is in the innermost parts of the house, "Is there still anyone with you?" he shall say, "No"; and he shall say, "Silence! We must not mention the name of the LORD." For behold, the LORD commands, and the great house shall be struck down into fragments, and the little house into bits. Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood-- you who rejoice in Lo-debar, who say, "Have we not by our own strength captured Karnaim for ourselves?" "For behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel," declares the LORD, the God of hosts; "and they shall oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.