Part 3: God Is Supreme in His Standards

INTRO

Amos 2:6–16 ESV

6 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals— 7 those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; 8 they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined. 9 “Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath. 10 Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?” declares the Lord. 12 “But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’ 13 “Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down. 14 Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life; 15 he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life; 16 and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day,” declares the Lord.

1) Guilt of a Nation (Amos 2:6-8)

God’s ways lead us to life. Rejecting His standards lead to destruction…as a person and as a people (nation).

God evaluated the contemporary state of Israel in Amos’ day and found them guilty of:

Injustice (vs. 6-7a)

They had corrupted their justice system so as to take advantage of the less fortunate and needy.

They had prioritized wealth and influence over treating all people with dignity.

Immorality (vs. 7b)

They were driven by their own lustful desires rather than practicing decency and honor.

They engaged in sexual idolatry and objectified women, teaching their kids to do the same, rather than holding regard for God’s holy standard and valuing His image-bearer.

Open idolatry (vs.8)

They used the outer garments of the poor as collateral. Rather than returning them at sundown, as was right in God’s law (Ex. 22:26 “26 If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,” ), they held it till they were repaid with extravagant interest.

They would parade the garments at altars to false idols and would take repayment in wine. They would then proceed to practice drunken rituals from the extortion with no care or concern to God.

2) Blessings from God’s Standards (Amos 2:9-11)

Brought them to the promised land .

Freed them from Egypt, the mightiest global power at the time, and provided for them every step of the way…even when the way was made longer by their own disobedience. (vs. 10)

Conquered their formidable enemies. (vs. 9)

Continued a relationship with them and continued to provide His counsel and word to them through prophets and Nazarites. (vs. 11)

3) Rejection of God leads to Destruction (Amos 2:12-16)

They rejected their relationship with God. (vs. 12)

They rejected what was holy and reverent and made it watered down and common to the world rather than making it common amongst the nation.

Nazarite as one who was set apart as an example was corrupted.

The words of God were rejected and not desired.

They weight of their own sin would crush them. (vs.13)

There will be no escape for the compromised and once blessed people. (vs. 14-16).

They would not be able to save themselves because they refused to repent and get out of their own way.

Unlike the previous judgments what spoke of fire and destruction of external strongholds, this pronounced judgment is a futility of ones own strength.

In 720BC, Assyria would invade the Northern Kingdom and they would be no more. But God would still offer hope to the people, if they would but listen and repent.

Amos 5:4–6 ESV

4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; 5 but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.” 6 Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel,

CLOSING

God is Supreme in His Standards.

He knows the reality of this world in a way that you and I are jaded to. He knows what brings life and what brings destruction of heart, will, and soul.

His way of life brings freedom and hope and is for your good in an evil world. Repent to Jesus and choose life rather than continuing to reject Him and dwelling in destruction.

Get out of your own way and choose Jesus!