A Surprise Lesson from Amos – and a Little More

There is a lesson here that might take you by surprise. Amos is another of what we call the minor prophets. However, any prophet who hears a word from the Lord is pretty important in my book. The lessons in this book should make us pause and reflect. When we apply them to our lives, it could change everything!

I am going to save the surprise lesson for last. Here are some other very important lessons we must learn.

Lesson One – Punishment is the consequence of disobedience

Every action has consequences. We know that from life. When we are disobedient to God, there are consequences – bad ones! Some consequences are temporary, some are permanent.

Since we know that Amos was speaking to God’s chosen people, we can be assured that just because we call ourselves Christians, we are not exempt from the requirements of righteousness. In fact, it is because we belong to God that we live under the requirements of righteousness.

Thus says the LORD:

                  “For three transgressions of Judah,

      and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

                  because they have rejected the law of the LORD,

      and have not kept his statutes,

                  but their lies have led them astray,

      those after which their fathers walked.

                  So I will send a fire upon Judah,

      and it shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem.” 

Amos 2:4–5 (ESV)

Temporary consequences

When we are disobedient, we can count on a few consequences. These can be temporary. Disobedience cuts us off from the fellowship of God. We lose the blessing of his presence. We can no longer count on the same level of protection and wisdom. We might argue that God’s grace will bridge the gap and allow us to continue with little loss, however, it is dangerous to test the grace of God. If we have willfully disobeyed, we should not further test God by being cavalier about our actions.

Permanent consequences

If we persist in disobedience and rebellion, we cannot presume that our reward is sure. God doesn’t reward disobedience. He does not forgive the unrepentant. We would like to think that God overlooks all our sin because of who he is but that is precisely why he does not overlook our sin. He is a holy God and the holy does not dwell with the unholy. Our death does not take away our sin. Only the death of Jesus is sufficient for that. God graciously forgives the sin of the repentant, but the sin of the rebel stays with them.

Lesson Two – Punishment can be avoided – or at least recovered from

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:

       “Seek me and live;

  but do not seek Bethel,

       and do not enter into Gilgal

or cross over to Beersheba;

       for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,

and Bethel shall come to nothing.”

  Seek the Lord and live,

lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,

and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel,

  O you who turn justice to wormwood

and cast down righteousness to the earth!  

Amos 5:4–7 (ESV)

When we sin, we can immediately begin to repair the damage. While the consequences may be immediate or delayed depending on the sin, we must act.

There are three things to do to recover from the devastating results of sin.

Repentance is the start of recovery. It means we change our mind about sin. It means we seek God instead of our own way. We want him and his way more than anything. That is the way we are meant to live and it is the best way to live.

Prayer is the means of recovery. In prayer, we confess our sins to God and declare our desire to follow unconditionally. We find an edifying fellowship with him and enjoy his presence once again.

Obedience is the life of recovery. There is no other alternative for the follower of Jesus. We live lives of obedience. This means we go where Jesus tells us to go, say what he tells us to say and do what he tells us to do. We know that when we are obedient, we can change the world around us. This life of obedience is the abundant life that Jesus promised.

Lesson Three – God has a standard

This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

       “Behold, I am setting a plumb line

in the midst of my people Israel;

I will never again pass by them;

       the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,

and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,

and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Amos 7:7–9 (ESV)

What God desires is not a mystery. We don’t have to go through life not knowing if we are accepted by him. He has clearly revealed his requirements in scripture. Think of your life as a building. When you build on the principles of God’s word you are a wise builder. When you don’t, you are a foolish builder.

Building on the truth of God results in a solid life that stands the test of storms and time. When you immerse yourself in God’s word and allow it to saturate your life, you will be changed and you will find the eternal life – the awesome life – that God wants for you.

Surprise Lesson – God may call you

Amos was a farmer. He kept sheep and fig trees (Amos 7:14). But God called him to proclaim words of warning to his people. Whatever you are doing right now, you need to know that God could call you. He could place his message on your heart and send you out to broadcast that message. Surprise! Be ready and listen for his voice. You might just have a higher calling on your life!

Your Turn

My encouragement is nearly always the same – read your Bible, pray and listen to the voice of God. Build your life on his word and do what he directs you to do. His way is always best.

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