Devotional Reflections from the Book of Amos
In our Fall 2020 newsletters, we released a set of reflections on the book of Amos chapters 1 through 5 here and here. We wanted to publish a standalone newsletter to finish off this devotional series and share these insights with our community.
Amos 6: A Dosage of Reality
God was expressing sorrow to those who have become smug, arrogant, and self-indulging in a life of luxury. They believe that they were above God’s judgment. It won’t happen to them. This has led to the corruption of God’s system of social justice. They have been blessed beyond many other great nations.
God’s blessings were meant for all to enjoy and not for the self-indulgence of the privileged. God doesn’t want to put up with that anymore and will bring them to a place of sorrow, losing what they foolishly relied on for strength and power.
Can you give examples where people hoarded their blessings? What impact did it make?
Has anyone ever shared their blessings with you? How did you feel? How did you respond?
What are some of the things people are relying on for a sense of security and power? How reliable are these?
Amos 7: Your Credentials Please!
After revealing the indifference the leaders had towards the poor and needy, we see how Amos responded differently. With compassion, he begs God to forgive and stop his orders of destruction. God showed mercy and stopped. But God said in the third vision that because of how they did not live up to God’s way of treating people justly and righteously, he will not change his mind. Amos did not say anything.
How did the priest, Amaziah, respond when Amos shared the vision? He burned with anger and went not to God, but to King Jeroboam and accused Amos of conspiracy to kill the king and destroy all of Israel. He then questions Amos’ credentials to prophesize, told him to go back to his own country, and don’t prophesize anymore. Amos then pronounces God’s judgement upon them.
Think back to the last time God answered a prayer of yours. How do you feel? What thoughts came to mind?
How can you use prayer as a way to speak for those who are suffering?
Amos was shamed because of his lack of societal credentials, yet God gives him that role. How have you struggled in the area of credentials to do something significant for God?
Amos 8: I Will Never Forget
God continues talking directly with Amos, revealing that God is not all talk. They may be enjoying a season of harvest, but it will be their last harvest.
This is what God has against them. They didn’t go to the temple to worship but to set up a marketplace to make profits off the worshipers. They ‘trample on the needy and do away with the poor of the land’ (v4). They were buying and selling people for pennies. They sold leftover grains that were meant for the poor to have. God will never forget this. Their celebrations will turn into a funeral, a time of mourning and wailing.
How would you describe God’s relationship with Amos? What does this reveal about God’s relationship with people? Would you like to hear what is on God’s mind?
What is it that God will never forget and why? What are some social ills that you can’t forget?
What is your church experience like? In what ways do you get distracted? What might these distractions be revealing about you or the church activity?
Amos 9: Light in a Dark Tunnel
The tone of this chapter has moved into action mode, since Amos was told not to prophesize again. This is God’s final message. Rather than warnings, God is giving instructions on Israel’s destruction. God will destroy their places of false power and status. There will be chaos, crying and grieving. God will be silent and not coach them anymore.
Yet God closes this final chapter with a promise to restore them. God doesn’t abandon, but does implement discipline. Once they are humbled, pruning is done, and trimmings shaken off—buds of hope, beauty, and new life will blossom through. God will be their God once more and rebuild the people. As promised in Hebrews 5:13, God will never leave nor forsake us. Human suffering is the result of negligence in the proper use of power. And it will be through the suffering of God’s absence that we can learn to change and become that river flowing with life giving energy of love and justice.
Think of a time you felt like you were in a tunnel in need of a hope, direction, or guidance? What was that like?
What area of brokenness can you bring to God for restoration (in your life and in our society)?
Write a prayer of thanksgiving for the good work he is doing during this pandemic. Invite God to be that beam of hope and guidance keeping us accountable in living our lives with integrity, love and justice.