Ep. 148. Amos 1,2,4,5,6,8 | I Hate Your Festivals

EPISODE 148

I HATE YOUR FESTIVALS: AMOS 

Amos is more wordy in his approach than Joel was yesterday, but you could still read this short book in one sitting without much trouble. The first two chapters deal with God's judgment against various nations, but then he turns his attention to the rebellious nature of the people of God. Chapter four shows us how God sought the attention of Israel through famine, drought, blight, pestilence, and warfare. Yet, the people would not turn back to God. He sent them the prophets, but they would not listen. There remains hope for them still when God proclaimed "Seek the Lord and live." But there was no turning, no repentance. So, we find a sentiment similar to what we will see in Isaiah. "I hate your feasts; I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps, I will not listen." These words remind us that the mere act of worship is no replacement for a heart faithfully committed to the Lord. Thankfully, we who have been declared righteous through faith find ourselves accepted in the sight of God. 

I am always struck and saddened by the statement towards the end of the book, "Days are coming when I will send a famine on the land-- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." What a devastating reality that there would be a famine among the people of Israel and Judah that they'd hunger for the word of God and be unable to find it. The prophets were all silenced. The faithful few, long since dead. The priests all turned to idolatry. What could be more heartbreaking than longing to hear from God and find no way to him? Again, we find ourselves thankful for the person and work of Jesus by which we draw near God and find ourselves in his loving embrace. 

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 5:1; Isaiah 1:12-17