Friday, April 03, 2009

Take Two: Amos 8, Proverbs 3

In the midst of the funeral arrangements this week, there was a pretty common thread among many of us who were caught off-guard by the cicumstances of Mom's death. Many kept saying, "I can't believe it. I hoped that when I woke up this morning, I would discover it wasn't true."

In many ways, some people look at God's judgment and justice similarly. We know what God says...but in many ways, we hope we will wake up to discover it isn't true. The remaining chapters of Amos continue the theme and drive home the point, God will not relent. He has pronounced judgment on the people and will carry it out...not because He is bad or vengeful, but because He is good and just.

The first vision of the chapter (Amos 8:1-3) serves to tie together chapter 7 and 8. The picture is one of harvest time. When farmers plant, they look forward to th harvest. It always comes. It may yield good or bad or plenteous or sparse fruit...but the time of harvest always comes.

Amos 8:4-14 is really a taunt (of sorts) to the people to keep going with their immoral and unethical...ungodly deeds. Judgment is coming because God never forgets anything. Every deed will be reconciled (Amos 8:7).

No one in Amos' audience should look forward to the day because it is characteristically apocalyptic (Amos 8:9). This day of judgment will be more than the people can bear.

As a NT Christian, looking back on history from the completed side of the cross...I am fully aware and sensitive to the fact that all sin (just as listed here) is paid for individually and amazingly. Either each person will give account and bear the weight of his own sin (choosing to bear it alone as an independent and autonomous being), or it will be born by Christ at the Cross (Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2, John 3:16, Romans 6:23). Nevertheless, all sin is judged.

Proverbs 3:27 is the takeaway. Sometimes, we are tempted to make rational decisions about resources. We may see needs around us and look into the pantry. We realize that we can meet the need, but the uncertainty of tomorrow prompts us to consider holding back. The proverb instructs us to step forward and meet the need. We are instruments of God's provision for someone else...and God will always provide for us...just as He does for them through us.

Grace,

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