Righteousness Lost

Amos 1:1–2 CSB

The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa—what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: The Lord roars from Zion and makes his voice heard from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.

INTRO—

Now, I’m curious…when you here the word ‘refinement,’ what do you think of? Being from oil-country…when I hear refine, refinement, refinery…refinery is what I think of. My dad worked for a company which provided equipment (air-cooled heat exchangers) for oil refineries.

Refineries take raw oil and do just what the word means…improved, removed impurities, elevated…refine it. It’s a process involving heating and cooling and filters, just to mention a bit of the process. Such is the process with God’s people…with us. In the OT we see this truth displayed in the time of the judges…and throughout the ministries and messages of the prophets.

For our picture of the beauty and value of this process…as we have considered the Minor Prophets…we have seen the heart of God for his people through His love that does not let go (Hosea). To be sure, God, in his love…loves us too much to leave us “where we are,” and so he calls us to grow in our relationship with him.—Grow in our faith…because faith is the victory (Habakkuk) through which we overcome this fallen world in which we live. Our growth in faithfulness…in our trust in following Jesus…is crucial to honoring Him as he deserves.

BUT...

We are prone to wander…to leave our first love. AND so…we come to the message of Amos. Now, chronologically, his ministry and message is among the earliest of all (Major & Minor) the prophets. I just think that the simple clarity of the message of this shepherding prophet (Amos 1.1 “The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa—what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.” )…the direct call of this prophet is a helpful encouraging, and challenging, reminder of the dangers we can encounter and the diligence required for a life of faithfulness to our Lord.

Through these three Sundays, we will see Righteousness Lost, Righteousness Shown, and Righteousness Renewed…a beautiful—even if painful—picture for the OT people of God…and for us, today.

Everybody’s Losing It. [Amos 2.6-16]

Sin—unrighteousness—was not a problem exclusive to Israel (Northern Kingdom):

6 pagan nations (Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, & Moab)

1 sister nation (Judah [Southern Kingdom]…these two should’ve known better!!)

Romans 3:23 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

BUT as the focus funnels in, a greater responsibility…and a greater consequence…comes to God’s people. [The last two God addresses should’ve known better!!]

Especially a people, as we have seen, who would not have thought themselves guilty…OR who thought themselves beyond certain (maybe many/all) consequences for their unrighteousness.

God takes great care to show Israel its sin (which is more significant, I feel.)...

Hebrews 12:5–6 CSB

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.

So…Israel’s unrighteousness???

Slavery, Oppression, Arbitrary Legal Enforcement, Sexual Immorality, Pagan Worship (idolatry), Theft, Rejecting Truth.

A Song of Sin & Sorrow [Amos 5.1-27]

[This lament encompasses chapters 5-6]

The lament is from the prophet…who, like Hosea, expresses the heart of God (particularly in relationship to his people):

Hosea 6:4 CSB

What am I going to do with you, Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes.

Again, what is the focal definition of unrighteousness which Amos is called to call out???

Amos 5:7 CSB

Those who turn justice into wormwood also throw righteousness to the ground.

Justice AND Righteousness… Amos 5.7; 5.24; 6.12

The call is to set this right so that their worship will be right—that which honors God (Amos 5.18-24).

The Ten Commandments are a TOTAL PACKAGE. We cannot treat righteousness any differently ourselves.

CONCL—

The case against and lament regarding the unrighteousness of God’s people is a poignant and pertinent reminder for us today…and I say us—that is the people of God—today. We, Christians (Christ-followers, believers) are the only audience on God’s heart in a way similar to his people in Amos’ day…The USA is not Israel—though the US, China, Damascus (Syria), Tyre, Nineveh, or Moab would do well to repent and turn to God. ...

Amos 5:24 CSB

But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.