Amos 3 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

                The key verse in Amos 3 is verse 2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”  If you understand this verse, that insight will help you understand the Old Testament.  Hebrews says the word of God “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”  (Heb 4:13).  God is using His Word to help the grace of God grow in our lives.

                The Lord first reminds Israel that they are chosen.  This is a such a foundation truth of the Bible.  I find it curious that some people reject the teaching that God chooses us.  How do you understand Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?  How do you understand Israel being chosen out of the other nations around them?  As Peter says, “You are a chosen race . . .” or in Colossians, Paul calls us, “God’s chosen ones.”  And with being chosen, there is responsibility.  

                During some recent leadership training one of the speakers posed this question, “Is leadership a reward or a responsibility?”  If leadership is a reward, what do you do with a reward?  You enjoy it.  If leadership is a responsibility you fulfil your responsibilities.  It should be obvious leadership is a responsibility that you bear, fulfill, and complete.  A person with a responsibility acts differently than someone who feels no responsibility.

                This is why God says after “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”  Since we are chosen, we are called to live holy lives.  If we do not, God judges us.  We have responsibility that we are called to live up to.   We have a privilege.  As J.A. Moyter writes, “Special privileges, special obligations; special grace, special holiness; special revelation, special scrutiny; special love; special responsiveness . . . the church of God cannot ever escape the perils of its uniqueness.”

                Notice verses 3-6.  Here is a lesson on cause and effect.  Notice how the examples get more serious and dangerous: walking, a lion, snare, disaster.  Amos did the same noose tightening in chapters 1 and 2.  In those chapters, he judges the nations around Judah and Israel until he aim for Israel.  For a shepherd, Amos is a skillful writer, and we can assume an engaging and convicting speaker.   Amos’ message is that things do not just happen; there is a reason all events happen.  Even things that look like calamity are under God’s sovereign control.  God is behind it all.      

Do you see the challenge for your theological reflection?  “Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?”  (Amos 3:6).  This is similar to Is. 45:7, “I form light and darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”  God does not say bad things happen for no reason or without a cause.  Amos claims God is responsible for all things.  That is tough to understand.  But it is more difficult to fathom that God is not in control of all things.

You will discover an emphasis on warning in v. 7.  God does not judge quickly or pour out His wrath suddenly.  God always warns.  In fact, if you read the Old Testament, the warnings seem to go on and on.  This emphasis on warning is also in verse 8.  Amos gives the reason why he is saying and writing these warnings: God has spoken, “The lion has roared; who will not fear?  The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

Near the end of the chapter, God declares that even though His people go to the strongholds of Samaria, even though they seek refuge holding on to the horns of the altar, and even if they finally run to their winter or summer house, His judgment will prevail. 

Reflecting on verse 2, we need to remind ourselves of the solemn obligation we have before a holy God who has called us to Himself.  This calling is a privilege and an obligation.  You have a responsibility to worship, serve, and obey God.  You are under orders.  You have been called.  Ask yourself, how would you think, act, and speak differently if you reminded yourself daily that you are called by God? 

Father, I welcome all of You into my small and insignificant life.  You make my life significant when You called me to your Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  Help me to welcome your choice of me as well as the obligation that is joined with that calling.  Help me to serve others and to quit thinking about myself so much.  By Your Spirit keep me from the sin that so easily entangles me and trips me up.  By your power, allow me to live in freedom, joy, and peace during these strange and stressful times.  Sola Deo Gloria.  Amen.