Morning Message: The Long and Short Of It

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Long and Short of It"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

There is a "short view," and there is a "long view," for any topic. There’s a Longview Terrace in Rochester, and no doubt, streets named similarly in cities around the world. There’s a Long View neighborhood in West Jamestown, NY. From “Lucille Ball Park,” one has a commanding view to the northwest of the entire length of Chautauqua Lake, home to The Chautauqua Institute. (The Park was named after Jamestown’s hometown girl, 1950’s TV star Lucille Ball who grew up in that City.) The Lake is about 17 miles long, and 2 miles wide, at its widest point. Except for its location in the far southwestern part of New York State, it might otherwise be another of The Finger Lakes, near our location.

Without that long vantage point, our lakes might seem like large ponds. But think about a vantage point from the air. One might see Chautauqua Lake and all the Finger Lakes too, all at once, an overall distance of some 200 miles!

But now, think also of God’s vantage point from His lofty Throne in Heaven. He sees everything in His Creation, including the several layers of “heavens” in the universe.

This is the view God gave to Amos in Chapter 9: The "Long View" of God’s plan for all His creation. We poor humans are left in want if we focus only on the short view of our immediate circumstances! His "Long View" is not measured in miles, but in time.

The short view is what the United Nations, and the leaders of the World’s Nations make plans for, believing they can override God’s plans for His people, and also for those that are not His. Their view is a "one-world" system, a new Tower of Babel, and for their unbelief, they will always miss the mark.

The Bible is clear though: God is in control, not man; it is at the core of all Bible Prophecy. Only God’s Word gives us the "Long View." That is what Believers are to focus upon during our short lives, trusting in Him for all things.

Leviticus 22:23 -

“…a bull or a lamb that has any limb too long or too short you may offer as a freewill offering, but for a vow it shall not be accepted.”

Bobservations' Column - Audio Version

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Amos 9:1-15 - "The Long and Short Of It"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Amos 9 stands as a potent reminder of the duality of God's character—both as a righteous judge and a merciful restorer. Though His judgment is harsh and inescapable, His mercy and grace abound, promising restoration and blessings for His people. It encourages believers to live righteously, aware of the consequences of sin but also hopeful in God's endless capacity for forgiveness and restoration.

Amos describes a vision of God standing beside the altar, signaling the beginning of His judgment. No matter where the Israelites flee—whether to the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven, to the bottom of the sea or into captivity—God's hand will reach them, and His judgment is unavoidable.

Amos emphasizes the sovereignty of God, who touches the earth and it melts, who builds His upper chambers in the heavens and sets the vaulted dome over the earth. This section reinforces the omnipotence and omnipresence of God.

God compares Israel to the Cushites, reminding them that they are not privileged above others. Yet, He promises to sift the house of Israel among all the nations without losing a single good grain. This speaks to God's precision in judgment, ensuring the righteous are not swept away with the wicked.

In these verses, God promises to restore the fallen house of David and rebuild it. He speaks of a future where His people will plant vineyards, enjoy their fruit, and never again be uprooted from their land. This beautiful image of restoration underscores God's mercy and grace, even after His people's disobedience.

Amos 9, the final chapter of the book of Amos, presents a powerful conclusion to the prophet's messages. Initially, it presents a grim image of God's impending judgment on Israel due to their sins, emphasizing God's inescapable justice. Yet, the chapter concludes on a hopeful note, promising restoration and blessings for God's people.

Like the children of Israel in Amos’ day, most of God’s people are not walking in God’s ways today. They are religious, and often participate in a worship service, but their hearts are far from Him.

Just as God was grieved by the evil he saw in the people of Israel in Amos’ day; He must be even more grieved at the wickedness He sees in His people today.

Do we not have a more-sure knowledge of God.  Have we not witnessed the full and final revelation of God in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.  Have we not received the eternal blessings of God’s plan of redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Just as Amos pleaded with God’s people in His day, we are pleading with God’s people today. Turn your eyes away from the things of the world, even the religious things, and look upon Jesus who gave His life for our sins and who is soon going to call us home to live with Him forever. In 1 Corinthians 10:11, the Apostle Paul wrote, “These things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Sunday Morning Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

The Altar (9:1) - This is the altar in Bethel, the principal place of idol worship in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-33).  The fifth vision opens with the Lord standing upon the altar, commanding that this temple be torn down, thus falling upon the worshipers.  He would spare none (cf. 5:2; 8:14).  God makes it very clear that those who engage in any form of idolatry will have no part in His kingdom (1Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:20-21; Revelation 22:15).

Carmel (9:3) - A mountainous region, rising 1,800 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, known for its many caves and forests.  This is one of the highest mountains in the land of Israel.

My Eyes (9:4) - This is a figure of speech in reference to God's omniscience. Omniscience is defined as “the state of having total knowledge, the quality of knowing everything.” For God to be sovereign over His creation of all things, whether visible or invisible, He has to be all-knowing. His omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all by nature omniscient.

It Is He . . . Poureth Them Out (9:5-9) - Lest people question the Lord's power, they are reminded of His omnipotence revealed in creation and in His sovereign rulership of the nations.  Other nations have been transplanted from their homelands; why not Israel?

The Flood of Egypt (9:5) - This refers to the Nile River in Egypt, which annually provided water and rich soil deposits.  In judgment, the river would overflow the land of Israel for the unrighteous arrogance of the nation.

Caphtor...Kir (9:7) - Caphtor is the island of Crete, and Kir is apparently the original home of the Syrians.  It was a region to which they were later exiled (2 Kings 16:9).  Its exact location is unknown. 

Not Utterly Destroy (9:8) - Most of the Israelites were slain in the terrible Assyrian invasion and deportation, yet God has repeatedly promised to spare a remnant.

Sift . . . Among All Nations (9:9) - Only the chaff was to be punished; God's remnant was to be preserved to inherit the blessings spoken of in the following verses.

Tabernacle of David (9:11) - A reference to the dynasty of David.  The promises of God in the Davidic covenant are alluded to here.  God will "raise up" and "rebuild" this tabernacle on earth for Christ to rule in His millennial kingdom (cf. Zechariah 14:9-11).  The apostles used this passage to illustrate that Gentiles could thus be a part of God's redemption. This great prophecy of the ultimate restoration of the Davidic kingdom was still future when Peter and James quoted this verse (Acts 15:14-18).  It will be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ, the promised Messiah of Israel, who will Himself assume the throne of David (Luke 1:31_33).

Out Of Their Land (9:15) - This promise applies, not to the return from Babylon, but to the final restoration from exile, when they will never again "be pulled up out of their land."  The ultimate fulfillment of God's land promise to Abram (cf. Genesis 12:7; 15:7; 17:8) will occur during Christ's millennial reign on earth (cf. Joel 2:26, 27).

Prophecy Concerning the Ultimate Restoration of Israel:

1. Isaiah 27; 42-44; 65; 66
2. Jeremiah 30-33
3. Ezekiel 36;38; 48-48
4. Daniel 9:20-27; 12:1-3
5. Hosea 2:14-23; 14:4-7
6. Joel 3:18-21
7. Amos 9:11-15
8. Obadiah 1:17, 21
9. Micah 7:14-20
10. Zephaniah 3:14-20
11. Haggai 2:20-23
12. Zechariah 13; 14
13. Malachi 4:1-3