Titled - "The Day of the Lord"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
“Hypocrites!” Jesus called out. He called them whited sepulchers, only half-heartedly living the Law; blind guides they were, unclean, and engaged in building great tombs to the prophets that their forefathers had killed, and they themselves garnishing the tombs of the righteous. Jesus described them as straining at a gnat yet swallowing a camel. He called them serpents, and a generation of vipers in Matthew 23:13-36! This is how He spoke of the Religious Leaders of His day. “There is nothing new under the sun.”
In Amos 5 today, we read that God will neither accommodate hypocrites in the congregation, nor accept their offerings of praise, peace, or meat offerings at the altar. They produced the leaven of the Pharisees with the entire Sanhedrin. The Father and the Son never change; Old and New Testament teachings are the same according to our reading of the scriptures today. The Lord God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Children of God have always had trouble walking their talk. Era designations of B.C. or A.D. are meaningless when it comes to human righteousness: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10). As serious as this sounds, God remains loving, forgiving, merciful and gracious.
“Hypocrites!” Jesus called out. He called them whited sepulchers, only half-heartedly living the Law; blind guides they were, unclean, and engaged in building great tombs to the prophets that their forefathers had killed, and they themselves garnishing the tombs of the righteous. Jesus described them as straining at a gnat yet swallowing a camel. He called them serpents, and a generation of vipers in Matthew 23:13-36! This is how He spoke of the Religious Leaders of His day. “There is nothing new under the sun.”
In Amos 5 today, we read that God will neither accommodate hypocrites in the congregation, nor accept their offerings of praise, peace, or meat offerings at the altar. They produced the leaven of the Pharisees with the entire Sanhedrin. The Father and the Son never change; Old and New Testament teachings are the same according to our reading of the scriptures today. The Lord God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Children of God have always had trouble walking their talk. Era designations of B.C. or A.D. are meaningless when it comes to human righteousness: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10). As serious as this sounds, God remains loving, forgiving, merciful and gracious.
The difficulty is that mankind’s condition is a product of the flesh that we live in. Jesus Himself lived in our fleshly world, and was tempted in all ways, like us. Christ Jesus is therefore our perfect advocate, and the perfect Lamb of God. Yet, Judgment Day is still going to come for the unbelievers.
Faith in Christ dictates that we are not to wallow in our own helpless humanity, but to be hopeful in Jesus’ overwhelming love, mercy, and grace for us!
Jeremiah 31:3 -
“The Lord hath appeared of old to (us), saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.’”
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning's Audio Message:
Amos 5:15-27 - "The Day of the Lord"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
The fifth chapter of Amos marks the beginning of the third in a series of five sermons on judgment preached by Amos. It records many of Israel’s sins and transgressions. Keep in mind the conditions that were prevalent in Israel at this time: political and military power under King Jeroboam II, economic prosperity, outward religious prosperity, inward spiritual decline, poverty, and injustice. Amos 5:11 is a key verse that sets the tone for the entire chapter. It describes both the sin and punishment of the rich. It is not sinful to be wealthy, but the Scripture warns ill-gotten riches and abuse of others through wealth is sin. Amos said the rich of his day were able to build houses and vineyards because they took advantage of the poor. When you read Amos’ words it is a reminder of how much God cared about common people and everyday life. Buying, selling, borrowing money for homes, and simple business deals were noticed by God. It is also a reminder that God knows what occurs and He will not be fooled. Every person who engages in dishonest dealings with others will one day suffer under the righteous judgment of God.
God Appeals to Israel in Amos 5:14-15. God’s exposure and rebuke of Israel’s sins are combined with a gracious appeal to return to him. God is intolerant toward injustice and sin but He is also longsuffering because of His desire to see men repent and be saved. God will exact justice; he will not tolerate man’s wickedness forever.
By the time Amos preached his messages of coming judgment, a cliché had become very popular among the people. They were saying, “Just wait until the Day of the Lord arrives.” But Amos said, “Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD.” His words are directed toward those in Israel who believed that God’s intervention would be victorious for them and deadly for their enemies. They actually thought God’s coming, “the day of the LORD,” would bring blessings because they were God’s covenant people. Many of the people were saying they “desired” the “day of the LORD.” It was only natural the people would think that way since they were living in material prosperity and national peace.
The “day of the LORD” is a period of time in which God judges His enemies and establishes His kingdom on earth (Revelation 6-20). It truly would be a wonderful time for the Jewish people. However, Amos and other prophets such as Joel and Zephaniah realized the “day of the LORD” was also a time of purifying for Israel; when God’s people would go through tribulation before entering the kingdom of God (Joel 3:9-17; Zephaniah 2:1-2). In that regard, the coming “day of the LORD” was nothing to “desire.”
Amos’ message is straight and to the point. It told Israel what she needed to hear and also what we need to hear today. First, any people or nation that cares more for themselves than for God, is headed for judgment. Second, no amount of religious activity and enthusiastic worship can substitute for simple obedience to God. Third, all this religious stuff that we have made ourselves and carry with us is only leading to judgment. Fourth, Amos wants everyone to know that God is not fooled! God will have the last laugh, not us (Psalm 2:4).
God, through Amos, expresses disdain for empty rituals and false worship. He calls for justice and righteousness, emphasizing their significance over superficial sacrifices. The chapter concludes with a prophecy of exile for the unrepentant Israelites.
Amos Chapter 5 is a poignant chapter from the Old Testament prophetic book of Amos. This chapter presents the divine lament over the impending destruction of Israel due to their persistent sinfulness and societal injustices. It stands as a powerful call for repentance, warning against false worship, and urging a genuine return to righteousness.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Hate the Evil and Love the Good (5:15) - These were the righteous conditions necessary to turn back God's fast approaching judgment.
Establish Judgment in the Gate (5:15) - By this it is evident the prophet speaks to governors and judges among them. Set up honest and upright judges in every gate where judges did sit in those days.
Establish Judgment in the Gate (5:15) - By this it is evident the prophet speaks to governors and judges among them. Set up honest and upright judges in every gate where judges did sit in those days.
Remnant (5:15) - Here is an implied promise that a "remnant" - even of Joseph (that is, Ephraim, or Israel) - would eventually be restored.
Mourning (5:16) - The term "mourning" refers to grief over someone's death. In the ancient world, the traditional ritual of mourning involved putting on sackcloth. A biblical example is found in the book of 2 Samuel, where David asked "Joab and all the people who were with him" to tear their clothes and put on sackcloth to "lament before Abner" (2 Samuel 3:31). The book of Jeremiah also tells us that those who mourned usually transformed their physical appearance by cutting off their hair and beard (Jeremiah 7:29) and rolling in ashes (Jeremiah 6:26). Mourning was thus part of the burial rite, a way of honoring the dead person. This mourning likely will be accompanied by a substantial amount of death at the hand of the invaders.
The Day of the Lord (5:18) - The term day of the LORD refers to a time of divine intervention and judgement. Even the wicked wanted the Day of the Lord to come, mistakenly thinking that it would bring victory/blessing instead of certain judgment (cf. Zephaniah 1:14-18).
The Day of the Lord (5:18) - The term day of the LORD refers to a time of divine intervention and judgement. Even the wicked wanted the Day of the Lord to come, mistakenly thinking that it would bring victory/blessing instead of certain judgment (cf. Zephaniah 1:14-18).
A Lion . . . A Bear . . . Serpent (5:19) - The Day of the Lord is a day of terror on every side. Before and behind, without and within, abroad under the roof of heaven, or under the shelter of his own, everywhere is terror and death. The Syrian bear is said to have been more fierce and savage than the lion for its fierceness and voracity (Daniel 7:5). God made it in Daniel's vision, a symbol of the empire of the Medes. From both lion and bear there might be escape by flight. When the man had "leaned his hand" trustfully "on the wall" of his own house, "and the serpent bit him," there was no escape. He had fled from death to death, from peril to destruction. Israel felt secure in the fact that they were God's chosen. They felt sure they had been freed from all danger, when in fact; the danger to them had increased. They were like the man thinking he was safe from the lion, and was destroyed by the bear. He was also, like the man that went into the safety of his house and then was bitten by a serpent. There was no safe place to hide from the judgment of God.
Darkness and Light (5:20) - The illustrative parable makes it clear that darkness and light do not speak here of wickedness and righteousness but of disaster and safety.
I Hate Your Feast Days (5:21) - Note that it is THEIR feast days, not the Lord's feast days. Going through the motions of observing feast days yet with a corrupt heart were despised by the Lord. Such hypocrisy. God is not impressed with religious ceremonialism that is disconnected from the heart. It is meaningless. It is offensive. It is fake. It does not honor God. All of their ceremonialism (the outward appearance) paled in comparison to their participation and practice of corruption and immorality.
Judgment Run Down (5:24) - Judgment will come as rain falls from heaven. God's judgment will be under His control alone. God's judgment is also righteous.
Darkness and Light (5:20) - The illustrative parable makes it clear that darkness and light do not speak here of wickedness and righteousness but of disaster and safety.
I Hate Your Feast Days (5:21) - Note that it is THEIR feast days, not the Lord's feast days. Going through the motions of observing feast days yet with a corrupt heart were despised by the Lord. Such hypocrisy. God is not impressed with religious ceremonialism that is disconnected from the heart. It is meaningless. It is offensive. It is fake. It does not honor God. All of their ceremonialism (the outward appearance) paled in comparison to their participation and practice of corruption and immorality.
Judgment Run Down (5:24) - Judgment will come as rain falls from heaven. God's judgment will be under His control alone. God's judgment is also righteous.
Captivity (5:27) - The punishment for their unfaithfulness to God for worshipping false gods. They were taken to Damascus as captives. This happens because God has judged them, and found them guilty of worshipping false gods. God brings the captivity.
Assyria conquered Damascus in 732 B.C., then overtook Israel in 722 B.C.
Assyria conquered Damascus in 732 B.C., then overtook Israel in 722 B.C.
