Warnings: Needed but Unheeded
(Amaziah the Priest) But never prophesy again at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary,
(Amos the Prophet) Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. (Amos 7:13 and 16)
Phil. 2:1-22 and 3:8; Matt. 13:22; Luke 18:29-30; Col. 3:2; II Tim. 4:10
What Is God Saying?
Israel was in deep trouble. While it is true that Jeroboam's reign was blessed with considerable prosperity, the people were unaware that they were plunging toward destruction. They were like people on a river raft with neither awareness nor concern that their craft was heading toward a waterfall. Israel had decided its destiny 200 years before when the ten Northern tribes, departing from the God of their fathers, had set up calf worship as its religion (I Kings 12:25-33).
Having turned from God, they could not guard against the charms of idolatry. The debased and debasing practices of Canaanite idolatry swept in like a flood. It seemed a welcome change from the demanding disciplines and the laws of a Jealous God, but the swelling tide of evil was turning the stream of Israel's history into a raging river carrying the people God loved to destruction. God sent Elijah, Elisha, and Jonah but their message was rejected. With Amos, God was making one last effort to reach them. From the bank, He threw out another rope, as it were, to the people in the boat. They didn't take it.
In one of the memorable confrontations of Scripture, Amaziah told Amos to mind his own business, ‘Go back to Judah, if you must preach, and tell them to get their act together. We have all the religion we need. Don't meddle in our affairs.’ Another rope of hope was rejected. Another prophet scorned. Time was running out. The disaster was soon and sure.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Is there any parallel here for living today? Some are so secure and comfortable in their religious ways, that any suggestion that God might have a different way or a better way is considered a threat. We must be open and sensitive to messengers from God. God provides hope and He promises deliverance, but we must take the rope.
Pray With Me
Lord, sometimes words that are stern and uncomfortable need to be heard even in the king’s sanctuary. Amaziah was the top man in the king's sanctuary. Did he not enjoy immunity from harsh accusations? Why must he be warned and rebuked by an ordinary herdsman, a self-appointed prophet? Yet, despite Amaziah's exalted position, for all his privilege and prestige, You had a word for him. Great privilege calls for great responsibility. Those in high positions should be humble lest they be humbled. No one is so secure that he does not need Your strengthening Presence. No one is so rich in possessions that he does not need to lean on Your mercy. No one is so strong that he does not need to humble himself beneath the mighty hand of God. No one is so religious that he does not need the grace of Your Spirit.
That is why, O Lord, I would remember that Your warnings are kind and Your commandments arise from love. Let me not play the fool. Let me not say to the spokesman of Your Word, ‘Since I am so privileged, since this is the king's sanctuary do not prophesy here. Go anywhere, but not here.’ Rather, let Your Word be heard, let Your will be known, and let Your way be followed. When You come to me and my spirit is annoyed by words that feel too close to home, help me, Lord, to understand that ‘the Judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether ... and in the keeping of them there is great reward.’
In the name of Jesus Christ, whose warnings are kind and whose commandments are love. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Suppose we are not in the boat. Suppose we are saved and safe in Christ on the bank. Then we are called to be a rope thrower. We must not believe that helping others to avoid disaster is casting ourselves in the role of a meddlesome nuisance. Prayer for others is the first step. Through prayer, we will know how and when to speak. Speaking to God for others prepares us to speak to others for God.
