Amos 3 & 4 -- When God Speaks, People WILL Finally Listen

I was reminded of the phrase, “To whom much has been given, much is required,” as I read this.  In chastising the rogue nation of Israel, now separate from Judah, God said, “I have chosen ONLY you out of all the families of the earth, so I will punish you for all your sins.”  Israel had broken that agreement to walk with God.  God is now roaring at them as the Lion of Judah for good reason.  Israel’s sins were so blatant that they shouldn’t marvel at being caught in them.  The people had been warned again and again by God, yet they ignored the warnings. 

Like a father who stares incredulously at his child who was raised to know better but who has not utterly failed morally, God cries out, “The people don’t know how to do what is right.”  So like a loving Father, God invoked increasing levels of discipline, attempting to bring His children to their senses.  Yet with each harsher level of punishment, God saw no effect whatsoever, and His love for them cries out in this repeated phrase:  “Still you did not come back to Me.”

Israel then got to hear the message they didn’t ever WANT to hear:  “Get ready to meet your God, Israel.”  It’s going to be just as bad as it sounds.

My Bible’s sidebar says, “No one enjoys being disciplined.  Yet, it is often through the discomfort of chastisement that we return to the right path … You change your life by changing your heart.”

Father, help me to not just hear You when You speak, but also help me to listen to what You are telling me.  I’d rather hear it from You as my Friend than I would from You as my enemy as they did here.  Help me to change my heart and change my life.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford