Morning Message: Aloof and At Ease

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Aloof and at Ease"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrnez

Anyone serving in the military, or who has seen a movie about military life, is familiar with the phrase “At Ease” when standing in a platoon or a troop. A sergeant lets his troops come off standing “At Attention,” and lets his men relax a bit. But relaxing completely isn’t the idea of such a command, the soldiers still give the sergeant their full attention. They are still standing before him in formation. If their attention was no longer required, the command would be “Fall Out!” To be “At Ease” meant more information was forthcoming.

Ancient Israel’s walled villages and cities were walled for a reason: their enemies were all around them. The Watchers on the Walls would sound the alarm if any would approach the town with an unknown or suspicious agenda.

Today we learn of those that lived in Zion, living “at ease.” But from a Biblical perspective, they might as well have “fallen out.” They were not living circumspectly, but for their own personal pleasures. The walls were either not watched, or the alarms went unheeded. The residents were oblivious to their neighbors, even though God called them to be separate from the heathen which surrounded Israel. Zion was ripe for an invasion from a foreign power.

Safety requires a watchful leadership, knowing human nature, that many still see the grass as being greener on the other side of the fence. And the modern-day statement that “Good fences make good neighbors,” makes perfect sense. Mutual respect for the property of your neighbor leads to peaceful coexistence. But it is never a good time to release the Watchmen from their daily duties.

Exodus 21:14 - 

“If a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.”

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Amos 6:1-14 - "Aloof and At Ease"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Amos 6 is a somber reminder that complacency, pride, and indifference towards the suffering of others are not traits of God's faithful people. As believers, we are called to live humbly, seek justice, and maintain a compassionate heart, keeping our focus on God and not on materialistic pleasures or self-glorification.

These verses call out those who are at ease in Zion and secure on Mount Samaria. These are the notable men of the foremost nations who live in luxury and idleness, but their complacency leads them to ignore the day of calamity.

The opulent lives of the rich indulging themselves with such luxuries: beds of ivory, sprawling on their couches, dining on choice lambs and fattened calves, singing idle songs, drinking wine by the bowlful, and anointing themselves with the finest oils. Yet, they do not grieve over the ruin of their country.

God declares that these people will be the first to go into exile. Their banquets and lounging will be brought to an end. They'll be left desolate, even afraid to mention the Lord's name.

The Lord affirms His judgment on the great houses and small houses alike, leaving them in ruins. God reiterates the futility of their indulgences and false sense of security, pointing out that He's the one who will bring about their fall.

Amos 6 expands the theme presented thus far in this book. As I read through this passage, I thought of Jesus' words, “To whom much has been given much will be required” (Luke 12:48).

As we read this chapter, we are reminded of another “revelation of Jesus” in His message to the church represented by Laodicea (Revelation 3:14ff). These individuals are in total blindness to their condition . . . "you think you are rich… but you are poor and wretched and miserable and blind and naked."

As we study this chapter, we need to remember to apply the lessons to our own lives.  Do we live lives of luxury while those around us may not even have the bare necessities of life? Are we complacent and feeling secure in our good fortune, but neglecting those who are struggling? Israel's sins are many:  injustice, avarice, oppression, immorality, profanity, blasphemy, and sacrilege.  Are we guilty of the same?

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

At Ease In Zion (6:1) - Zion (Jerusalem) was the capital of Judah, and Samaria the capital of Israel, so Amos' proclamation applied to both nations.  Both peoples had grievously sinned against God, yet they were living in decadent luxury and trusting in their idolatrous leaders to maintain such lifestyles for them.  The parallel to western Christendom today is frighteningly obvious.  Woe to those in luxurious pagan ease, when they should be getting right with God, the prophet would say to us as well.

Put Far Away the Evil Day (6:3) - To put off something, to push it away, to delay, or to reject it. Here it meant that the leading citizens of Israel and Judah rejected the day of calamity, that is, the day when God would intervene to judge them (Amos 5:18). For them, the day of calamity was reserved only for the pagan peoples, those who did not have a covenant relationship with the LORD.

Instruments of Music (6:5) - The pagan-like culture of Israel was addicted to sensuous music and "wine in bowls," but they were "Not grieved for the affliction" of their country (6:6).  The parallel to modern America is obvious.

Drink Wine From Bowls (6:6) - These large bowls, usually used for sacrificial purposes, here typify the excesses of their lifestyle.

Sworn By Himself (6:8) - See also 8:7; Genesis 22:16; Isaiah 45:23; Jeremiah 49:13; 51:4; Hebrews 6:13, 14.  They had become something that God did not like. He did not bless them for them to oppress others. He intended for all of His people to be blessed, not just those in power. God swears by Himself, because there is no greater to swear by. This punishment will come upon them, because God has spoken it. God will break the arrogant attitude of Israel. They have put their confidence in things rather than in God.

He That Burneth Him (6:10) - This could refer to cremation, demanded by the excessive number killed and the fear of epidemics.  With rare exceptions (cf. 1 Samuel 31:12), corpses were buried in ancient Israel.

Not Make Mention . . . the LORD (6:10) - Previously welcomed as a friend, the Lord came in judgment as a foe; survivors would not want to invoke His name out of fear.

Plow There With Oxen (6:12) - Israel's exercise of justice was absurd as running horses on rocks or plowing rocks with oxen.  So, the answer to these rhetorical questions in this verse is, "Of course not!"  But just as absurd was the destructive lifestyle of Israel's people.

Rejoice In A Thing of Nought (6:13) - Israel’s “great” gain will amount to nothing.

Horns By Your Own Strength (6:13) - Israel foolishly believed they had conquered in their own strength. They had rejoiced in the unimportant things of this world. They were not depending on God's strength but upon their own strength (horns). They could not depend upon themselves.

Raise Up Against You A Nation (6:14) - The Assyrian Nation in 722 B.C. under its king, Shalmaneser; who invaded Israel, came up to Samaria, and after a three years' siege took it, and carried Israel captive into foreign lands (2 Kings 17:5).

Afflict You From Enterning In From He-math (6:14) - A city of Syria bordering on the land of Israel north-east and was an inlet into Syria from the north of Canaan. These represent the northern and southern perimeters of Israel as reestablished by Jeroboam II (cf. 2 Kings 14:25).