He Speaks by the Prophets
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, how grateful I am that You have chosen me, in Christ, to be Your greatly beloved child.
Read AMOS 3:1-8
[1] Hear this word the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel-against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: [2] “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.” [3] Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? [4] Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey? Does he growl in his den when he has caught nothing? [5] Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground where no snare has been set? Does a trap spring up from the earth when there is nothing to catch? [6] When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? [7] Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. [8] The lion has roared- who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken- who can but prophesy? Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How does the Lord refer to his people Israel here?Amos was just a simple shepherd when God called him to be a prophet. He was writing a couple hundred years before Ezekiel during a time of stability, peace and prosperity in both Judah and Israel. But these material blessings coincided with an unprecedented level of social inequality and corruption among God’s people. Amos as a prophet was sent to warn them that this was unacceptable to God. Actions are as important as words, and social justice, in particular, was an important marker of spiritual commitment. God was calling for the exhibition of righteousness and justice in his people. He called them to turn away from the abuse of power and position. The warnings about exile as a consequence of disobedience form the backdrop to what Ezekiel was dealing with later.
In this passage we read that the “Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (7). What Amos warned about, Ezekiel experienced; thus, when Ezekiel gave warnings, the people should have carefully listened. They did not, and suffered God’s just judgment. Should we not listen all the more?
Apply
What areas of your life might God need to warn you about? Are you willing to listen to him?
Closing prayer
Lord, open the ears of my spirit to hear and heed any warnings You may need to give me.
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