August 14, 2025 - Amos 1-5 (I thought I had posted this.)

There is great danger in bowing to group pressure and not standing up for what is right.  Always this is a temptation, i.e., “to go along to get along,” to “go with the flow,” “to run with the crowd,” “to test the currents,” etc.  In Israel, in Amos’ day, the culture’s pressure was so great, and felt even by God's servants, that he charged the people:  “But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy’” (2:12).

The whole of Israelite culture and religion was in terrible decay.  The Lord’s evaluation of the situation:  “’They do not know how to do right,’ declares the Lord” (3:10).  God struck them with famine, yet they did not return to him (4:6).  God withheld the rain, yet they did not return to him (4:8).  God struck their crops down, yet they did not return to him (4:9).  God struck down the young men with sickness and in war, yet they did not return to him (4:10).  God overthrew their cities, yet they did not return to him (4:11).  How hardened and stubborn Israel was!  Yet, in the midst of all this, the Lord says:  “Seek me and live” (5:4,6,14,15).  Once again, in the midst of so much sin and rebellion, we come face to face with the mercy and grace of God who continually calls out to the sinner, “Seek me and live.”

Come, Holy Spirit, heav’nly Dove,

with all Thy quick'ning pow’rs;

kindle a flame of sacred love

in these cold hearts of ours.

O raise our thoughts from things below,

from vanities and toys;

then shall we with fresh courage go

to reach eternal joys.   -- Isaac Watts (1707)