Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Lord God Will Do Nothing"Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
The Prophet Ahijah appeared suddenly from Shilo with a message from God for King Jeroboam about 985 BC, 200 years prior to today’s passage in Amos 7, But in Amos 3:7, it says, “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” The prophecy of which we speak in Amos 7, is found in our reading this morning, of 1 Kings 11.
Like the title of today’s message, a quote without context can be manipulated to mean anything at all.
But in this case, the 1 Kings passage gives us understanding about the division between the northern and southern Tribes of Israel. “Surely, the Lord will do nothing” is a misleading lie. If there is one thing that Believers know about the Lord, we know He is always up to something, and it’s always to our ultimate benefit. He never does nothing.
If we utilize our Reference and Study Bibles to their fullest extent, we learn of the depth of God’s Word and gain insight into His mind, His heart, and to His intent. Learning more about our God helps to give our own lives context and deepens our faith.
Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know Him, and the power of His Resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.”
We can easily be focused on leaning on His promises, and that’s a good thing, but the promises themselves point to heaven, and how we attain it, might not be to our plan, but to His plan.
- Matthew 16:24 / Luke 9:23 / Mark 8:34 -
“…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Amos 7:1-17 - "The Lord God Will Do Nothing"
Amos 7 is a reminder that while God's justice is real, so is His mercy. Intercession can change the course of events, even amid harsh predictions. However, justice cannot always be averted, especially when corruption persists. Despite opposition, we are called to stand firm in our faith and courageously proclaim God's truth.
God shows Amos a vision of locusts devouring Israel's crops. Recognizing the catastrophic aftermath, Amos pleads with God to spare Israel. God hears Amos and relents.
Amos experiences another vision where God sends a consuming fire to destroy Israel. Again, Amos intercedes, pleading for mercy, and again, God relents.
In the third vision, God presents a plumb line, signifying impending judgment, not to be averted this time. The high places of Isaac will be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel laid waste.
Amaziah, a priest of Bethel, reports Amos to king Jeroboam, accusing him of conspiracy. He then confronts Amos, advising him to flee to Judah to prophesy there and not to prophesy in Bethel anymore.
Amos responds to Amaziah by emphasizing his divine calling and delivers a severe prophecy against him, his family, and Israel.
Amos 7 delves into the prophetic visions of divine judgment given to the shepherd-turned-prophet, Amos. His messages are not only direct but confrontational, inciting resistance from powerful religious figures. Yet, amid impending doom, Amos intercedes for his people, showcasing the profound courage and compassion within him.
Sunday Morning Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
I Said (7:2) - Here we see Amos interceding on behalf of Israel. Amos, so moved by seeing the potential devastation to Israel, interceded on their behalf, much like Moses had done in the book of Exodus.
The LORD Repented (7:3) - Here is a beautiful example of God's mercy. Much like He did at Abraham's pleading of Sodom in Genesis 18:22, 23, The LORD heard the prayer of Amos and changed His mind about the punishment. We know that God is in control of all things, but our decisions and actions actually matter to Him.
Fire (7:4) - The image of fire often represents God's instrument of judgment. Under the figure of fire, the second vision concerns a devastating drought, causing the underground water supplies to dry up and the fields to be consumed (cf. Deuteronomy 32:22). Amos again mercifully pleads with the LORD for Israel.
Plumbline (7:7) - In a third vision, soon to be implemented, God showed Amos a high, straight wall, straight as a plumb line, which would separate God from His people, leaving them completely vulnerable to the invading Assyrians who would soon be coming. Here the true spiritual nature of Israel was tested and found wanting. by God's plumb line of righteousness.
Priest of Bethel (7:10) - The words of Amos cut deep into the heart of Israel's leadership, causing them to accuse him of conspiracy against the king (cf. Jeremiah 26:11; 37:11-13; 38:1-6). Jeroboam I had set up an order of priests at his schismatic altar at Bethel (1 Kings 12:31-32), and Amaziah was one of the false priests in this line. Seeing his prestige and position being undermined by Amos, he petitioned the king to have Amos silenced, while also urging Amos to leave the country. False teachers always use their political power to hinder true teachers of God's Word!
Bethel (7:10) - The principal place of idol worship in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-33).
Priest of Bethel (7:10) - The words of Amos cut deep into the heart of Israel's leadership, causing them to accuse him of conspiracy against the king (cf. Jeremiah 26:11; 37:11-13; 38:1-6). Jeroboam I had set up an order of priests at his schismatic altar at Bethel (1 Kings 12:31-32), and Amaziah was one of the false priests in this line. Seeing his prestige and position being undermined by Amos, he petitioned the king to have Amos silenced, while also urging Amos to leave the country. False teachers always use their political power to hinder true teachers of God's Word!
Bethel (7:10) - The principal place of idol worship in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:25-33).
Thus Saith Amos (7:11) - Amos did not say this. This most likely refers to verse 9. Amaziah understood the Lord's message through Amos, but rejected it.
Go . . . Flee (7:12) - Amos was told to go home. Amaziah tries to frighten Amos into leaving Israel and going to Judah to prophesy.
No Prophet . . . Word of the Lord (7:14-16) - Amos declares that he was a farmer by occupation, but that God had spoken through him and Israel desperately needed to listen.
Go . . . Flee (7:12) - Amos was told to go home. Amaziah tries to frighten Amos into leaving Israel and going to Judah to prophesy.
No Prophet . . . Word of the Lord (7:14-16) - Amos declares that he was a farmer by occupation, but that God had spoken through him and Israel desperately needed to listen.
Led Away Captive (7:17) - Concerns the nation Israel as a whole: Israel will certainly go from its land into exile. This statement is intensive in Hebrew and expresses the certainty of Israel's captivity. It would surely happen because the people of God had sinned grievously against the LORD. Assyria conquered Israel and took it into captivity in 722 BC.
