READING: Amos 3-9
God had sent judgments on his people—including drought, famine, and plague—to call them back to Him, but still they did not listen. In fact, listen to this repetition in Amos 4:
- “yet you did not return to me” (v. 6)
- “yet you did not return to me” (v. 8)
- “yet you did not return to me” (v. 9)
- “yet you did not return to me” (v. 10)
- “yet you did not return to me” (v. 11)
This kind of repetition in the scripture is a reminder that the writer intends for us to pay attention to this issue. He does not want us to miss the recurrent but wrong response of the people to each of God’s judgments.
On the other hand, there is also another kind of repetition at the end of this book:
- Amos 9:8 “Look, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. However, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob—this is the Lord’s declaration—”
- Amos 9:11-12 “In that day I will restore the fallen booth of David: I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that are called by My name—this is the Lord’s declaration—He will do this.”
- Amos 9:15 “I will plant them on their land, and they will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them. Yahweh your God has spoken.”
One reminder says, “God’s people were not faithful, nor did they readily respond to His judgment.” The other reminder, though, says, “God was nevertheless faithful to His covenant with His people.”
I thank God that He is more faithful than we are.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much do you think about God’s faithfulness to You?
PRAYER: “God, thank You for being faithful even when we are not.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Obadiah, Jonah 1-4, Micah 1-2
