Titled - "Our Invisible God Sees"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
In John 15:15, we read the words of Jesus to His Apostles: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
Amos 3 holds a surprise for us in verse 7 of today’s chapter. “… God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." These two passages are confirmation that the Lord does not want us ignorant concerning future events, for it is the same Spirit of the Lord that teaches us all things, as stated in John 14:26 and 2 Timothy 3:16. God’s intra-Trinity communications exceed anything that mankind can dream up on their own. AI is one thing, but it’s artificial. God’s knowledge and wisdom far exceeds what mankind can cobble together through a motherboard. The Word of the Lord will surely be fulfilled, every jot, and every tittle, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, He has known us each from before the foundation of the world. He even knows the mentally gifted ones who dreamed up AI! He knew what they would do before they did!
It should be a great comfort to every Believer that our invisible God knows all things and sees all things, and is therefore prepared for all things. Mankind may choose our paths, but it is the Lord that guides our steps. We will read God’s rhetorical question, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Is our goal and His the same? Communication between us is therefore vital.
People grow up and move onto their own lives, but when it’s a family member, they are never far from our hearts. We might move a continent or two away, but the heart that God gave us keeps them in mind. Do we think it’s any different with God? His Chosen People, and His adopted Gentiles are never far, and never out-of-reach of God’s overseeing love.
And when the time comes, He will be rejoined with all that are His. This is our hope, our hearts’ desire. God forgets no one, and sees what is going on with us on a daily basis.
“You only have I known of all the families of the earth…” Amos 3:2
Whether Jew or Gentile, He chose us.
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning's Audio Message:
Amos 3:1-15 - "Our Invisible God Sees"Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
Israel was specially chosen by God. He set them apart from all of the nations to be His own (Exodus 22:31; Leviticus 20:26). He called them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6); to be holy, as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2), to be a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). They would be His people, and He would be their God.
Because the Jews are God’s chosen people, they have been held to a high standard. Those who are given much, much is required (Luke 12:48). They were responsible to keep and preserve God’s Law (Joshua 22:5); and bring praise and honor to the Lord (Jeremiah 13:11). Their high calling is straight from the God who chose them out of all the nations of the earth. Yet throughout their history, the Jews have chosen to reject God and go their own way, the way of the ungodly… the way of this world.
Here in Amos chapter 3, we learn that God sees all and knows all. Nothing is hidden from God, and He will not overlook the transgressions of His own. God’s hand of judgment is coming and will certainly come against the cities of Israel.
In the previous chapter, Amos had just concluded the great prophecy looking to the utter destruction of eight nations; and, as regarded the six pagan nations included, the Israelites were indeed delighted to have it so; but much to their surprise, the prophet had included them, both Judah and Israel, in the doom foretold; therefore, Amos dealt with the reasons why the favored and chosen people, “the whole family” which God brought up out of Egypt, would also be judged, and why that destruction was fully deserved. The children of Israel had long disregarded the words of comfort, instruction, and discipline which God, through many prophets, had spoken to them; “And now they shall be made to hear the word of reproof and threatening that the Lord has spoken against them; for he will act as he has spoken.” Beginning with Amos 3, this word of denunciation and warning continues through Amos 6.
The Lord poses a series of rhetorical questions to show that, as some things are certain in nature, surely nothing happens in Israel that is outside His sovereignty. Certain actions have predictable results. The Lord had spoken a word; therefore, the prophet was to speak and the people were to listen with trembling. Instead, they tried the impossible, i.e., to silence the prophet (cf. 2:12; 7:12, 13), and effectively silence God.
Judgment is coming, but the Lord graciously warned the nation in advance through His prophets (e.g., Noah, Genesis 6; Abraham, Genesis 18).
Sunday Morning's Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Hear (3:1) - This is the Hebrew VERB "Shema," which means "to hear so as to do" (Deuteronomy 5:1; 6:4; 9:1). Knowledge of God always involves obedience.
You Only Have I Known (3:2) - This "knowing" refers to an intimate relationship, not just awareness (c.f. Genesis 4:1, 17; Matthew 1:25; John 10:14, 15). But God's sovereign choice of Israel did not exempt her from punishment for disobedience. (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Those who enjoy a close relationship with God are not insulated from divine punishment; God expects His people to live by a higher standard. Their sins may not seem as bad as those of the pagans, but in His sight, they may be worse, because His children should know better.
They had known God and yet, they had turned from Him to the worship of false gods. The very first commandment that He had given them had forbidden this very thing. God had accepted them as His wife during the wilderness wanderings. Their unfaithfulness to Him has not been overlooked. He still loves them, but He is just, and He must punish them for their sins.
Except They Be Agreed (3:3) - For centuries, the nation of Israel had been called to turn back to the Lord, and many prophets of God had trumpeted the warning to repent of their sins, to return to the Lord, and to turn from their wicked ways.
The Whole Family (3:1) - The recipient of these messages was Israel, although Judah was not excluded.
You Only Have I Known (3:2) - This "knowing" refers to an intimate relationship, not just awareness (c.f. Genesis 4:1, 17; Matthew 1:25; John 10:14, 15). But God's sovereign choice of Israel did not exempt her from punishment for disobedience. (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Those who enjoy a close relationship with God are not insulated from divine punishment; God expects His people to live by a higher standard. Their sins may not seem as bad as those of the pagans, but in His sight, they may be worse, because His children should know better.
They had known God and yet, they had turned from Him to the worship of false gods. The very first commandment that He had given them had forbidden this very thing. God had accepted them as His wife during the wilderness wanderings. Their unfaithfulness to Him has not been overlooked. He still loves them, but He is just, and He must punish them for their sins.
Except They Be Agreed (3:3) - For centuries, the nation of Israel had been called to turn back to the Lord, and many prophets of God had trumpeted the warning to repent of their sins, to return to the Lord, and to turn from their wicked ways.
God had made a conditional covenant with His people, Israel. He promised to bless them if they would walk in His ways and obey His statues, but He warned of judgement if Israel rejected His ways, despised His ordinances, and turned from trusting in Him.
God's chosen people had wandered far from their God and He used a number of illustrations through the prophet Amos, that pose the question: "Can two walk together unless they are agreed?" This is a question that believers in this dispensation should also consider. How important, therefore, to examine ourselves to see if we are living by faith, walking in spirit, trusting and obeying God's Word.
Gin (3:5) - That is, "engine," some kind of mechanical trap, using a noose, whereas the "snare" mentioned twice in this verse seems to involve a thin plate masking a pit.
Trumpet Be Blown (3:6) - The trumpet being blown is a warning of impending danger. Amos' message from God to these people is like the trumpet blowing. It is warning of impending danger. The trumpet blowing causes terror to rise in the hearts of the people. The warning from Amos should do the same thing.
His Secret (3:7) - The Lord will not bring judgment upon His people without first warning them through His prophets, such as Amos. In our present day, on the other hand, God has spoken with finality through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3) and His written Word (Revelation 22:18-19), so there is no further need of new revelation. All that is needed is for His teachers to teach and proclaim His Word as already revealed.
Roars (3:8) - As it is with the king of the wild, it is much more so with the King of creation (cf. 1:3).
Publish it...Ashdod...Egypt (3:9) - The Philistines and the Egyptians were both to be witnesses to the happenings in Israel. God wants the heathen to see that He is just and punishes His own when they do evil.
Know Not To Do Right (3:10) - Not merely have lost the perception of what is and what is not right, but are indifferent to such distinctions. They know not and care not; the awful state of utter moral impotence, wherein not only the intellectual consciousness, but the impulses to action, are languid or even paralyzed. A dead conscience! Nothing is more condemnatory than this brief sentence. The light within them is darkness.
Know Not To Do Right (3:10) - Not merely have lost the perception of what is and what is not right, but are indifferent to such distinctions. They know not and care not; the awful state of utter moral impotence, wherein not only the intellectual consciousness, but the impulses to action, are languid or even paralyzed. A dead conscience! Nothing is more condemnatory than this brief sentence. The light within them is darkness.
An Adversary (3:11) - This would be the Assyrians who captured and deported Israel in 722 B.C. (cf. 2 Kings 17). Their adversary is really the LORD. Their land will be desolate around them. God has spoken judgment upon them. God will send an army against them that will destroy the palaces and take all the goodly things home.
Hear and Testify (3:13) - As in verse 9, the heathen nations were once again called on to witness and testify of God's righteous judgment on Israel. This is a call to hear and understand. They must tell this in the house of Jacob. The house of Jacob speaks of all 12 tribes of Israel. This double announcement of this being from God is the fact of God's great power in the heavens and in the earth to execute judgment on whomever He will. This is speaking of the self-existent Eternal One.
Bethel (3:14) - The principal place of idol worship in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-33).
