Amos 6 Devotional
Pastor Mark Hudson
Some things just don’t go together: Sunshine and rain, lawnmowing in January in Michigan, loaded guns and small children. But when it comes to genuine faith, self-complacency and faith in Christ are two bad combinations. They do not go together. Yet, this is exactly what we find in Amos 6. Amos is a hard-hitting writer and speaker. He would not have made a good t.v. preacher. Amos was not positive enough. He begins 6:1 with a woe. Woe is a strong word of warning to a prophet’s listeners. Amos targets those who are ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria.
There is nothing wrong with being relaxed or comfortable. We do better at work, sports, or decision making when we are slowing things down and not hectic or working too fast. But there is an ease we should not feel. In Amos, this was a smug, proud, complacency where God’s people should have been sober-minded, watchful, and active in repenting. Rather, those in Zion thought they were just fine since God dwells in Zion and they, after all, were God’s chosen. Those in the north, in Samaria, were well protected on the fortified mountain. Amos sarcastically adds 1b to jolt these self-indulgent believers.
In verses 4 ff, I am reminded on Dan Rostenkowski’s comment to the newly elected President Jimmy Carter in the White House after President Carter had the heat turned down to conserve energy, “Mr. President. Remember, we won the election!” These people do not need to be reminded they should enjoy life a little. They are too self-indulgent. These are the same people whom Amos castigated in 4:1ff, calling the women `cows of Bashan.’ Instead of repenting or mending their ways, they were stretching themselves out on their coaches, eating the choicest of meat, and wine by the bowlful (6:4-6). They are gluttonous when they should be fasting in sackcloth.
There is nothing wrong with having plenty of food, resting, or being festive. But not having an abundance of food while others starve. We ought not to rest when we are called to watch during the night, so others are protected. We ought not indulge when we are called to be sober, watchful, and repent. Because of their mirth in place of mourning, they will “be the first of those who go into exile . . . .”
In verse 8, God says, “I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds . . . .” Can you imagine if God said he loathed or abhorred something you said, did, or have? God hates pride. God especially hates pride in His own people. That pride will be the undoing of God’s people and pride works its way into our minds and hearts to our hurt. Pride thwarts what God is trying to do in your life. God’s presence always humbles. His presence never works to increase but rather subjugate our pride.
Notice the work God will complete in judging His people (v. 11, 14). There will be destruction as well as invasion from a foreign nation. This is the warning that God always speaks through his prophets, authors, and pastors. God is constantly warning, constantly pleading for His people to repent so they will avert the judgment coming.
Remember these are people who do not want truth. “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth” 5:10. This means they are even more culpable because they reject the truth as soon as they sniff it out. They don’t want anyone to hear Amos. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, tries to dismiss Amos in 7:12ff. But does Amaziah ever get a stern rebuke in 7:17.
These people did not want to be corrected or hear a word from God. The Christmas break is great to get away from your normal schedule and relax. But I wouldn’t want to have Christmas break all year ‘round. You might want to look at yourself and consider how close you are to Amos’ audience. Consider your present hunger for God’s Word. Think through how you react to correction. Do you want God to correct you? What if God corrects you through your parents, a teacher at school, a coach or other mentor, or someone at church? Do you listen or reject their advice?
Think about your own complacency, self-satisfaction, and pride. How often do those attitudes of the heart, end up hurting you? How do you recognize these attitudes in yourself? Do you perceive any hungering or thirsting for God? While you cannot be as tight as a bow string all the time, do you find yourself desiring to grow spiritually and can you see evidence of any progress?
Father help me to pursue You and long for You, thirsting and hungering for more of Your Spirit. I can get lethargic and begin to drift away from the disciplines that keep my close to You. I have so much free time compared to other people. Encourage me to work hard at obeying You while relying on Your grace for true obedience. In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.