It’s not easy to make God angry. I mean, really, you have to work pretty hard at it. Yet Israel managed to tick God off.
In a series of five visions of divine judgment, Amos shows us the slow progression of God’s anger as Israel refused time and again to return to the Lord.
In the first two visions, Amos saw natural disasters destroy Israel (7:1-6). Amos prayed and asked God to spare them from these judgments and “the Lord relented from this plan.”
In the third vision, God used a plumb line to show Amos how far off course Israel had gotten (7:7-9). Before Amos could even pray for their forgiveness, the Lord declared “I will no longer ignore all their sins.” Israel was put on trial and God, the Sovereign Judge of the universe, found them guilty.
The fourth vision is downright scary (8:1-14). God says, “Israel is ripe for punishment! I will not delay their punishment again…I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Israel was convicted and judgment was now inevitable. Their sentence included the announcement that “dead bodies will be scattered everywhere” and the people would be carried into exile. God repeated the charges against Israel and concluded by saying, “they will fall down, never to rise again.”
In the final vision there is no dialog or debate (9:1-10). God speaks directly and forcefully: “I, the Sovereign Lord, am watching this sinful nation of Israel. I will destroy it from the face of the earth.”
Israel was given ample opportunity to repent. God tried to win them back into His covenant blessing, but they would not listen.
When people reach the point where they simply refuse to turn from their wickedness, God allows them to suffer the consequences of their rebellion.
Are there things in your life that you know don’t belong? Have you felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of prophecy) calling you to repentance and obedience to Jesus Christ?
How have you responded to the Lord’s voice in your heart? Have you repented or have you learned to resist, or even ignore, His call?
When people reach the point where they simply refuse to turn from their wickedness, God allows them to suffer the consequences of their rebellion.
Trust me. You don’t want to go there.
“For we know the one who said, ‘I will take revenge. I will pay them back.’ He also said, ‘The Lord will judge his own people.’ It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:30-31, NLT)
