relationships (Amos 3:1-15) Having Fair Warning

(Amos 3:1-15)

1 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:

2   “You only have I known among all the families of the earth;
     Therefore I will punish you for all your wrongdoing.”
3   Do two people walk together unless they have agreed to meet?
4   Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey?
     Does a young lion growl from his den unless he has captured something?
5   Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no device in it?
     Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all?
6   If a trumpet is blown in a city, will the people not tremble?
     If a disaster occurs in a city, has the Lord not brought it about?
7   Certainly the Lord God does nothing 
     Unless He reveals His secret plan 
     To His servants the prophets.
8   A lion has roared! Who will not fear?
     The Lord God has spoken! Who can do anything but prophesy?

9 Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod and on the citadels in the land of Egypt and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic within her and the oppressions in her midst. 10 But they do not know how to do what is right,” declares the Lord, “these who store up violence and devastation in their citadels.”

11 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:

     “An enemy, one surrounding the land,
     Will take down your fortifications from you,
     And your citadels will be looted.”

12 This is what the Lord says:

     “Just as the shepherd snatches from the lion’s mouth a couple of legs or a piece of an ear,
     So will the sons of Israel living in Samaria be snatched away—
     With the corner of a bed and the cover of a couch!
13 Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,”
     Declares the Lord God, the God of armies.
14 “For on the day that I punish Israel’s offenses,
     I will also punish the altars of Bethel;
     The horns of the altar will be cut off,
     And will fall to the ground.
15 I will also strike the winter house together with the summer house;
     The houses of ivory will also perish,
     And the great houses will come to an end,”
     Declares the Lord.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

I love that the Lord loves us so much that He tells it like it is.  He does not withhold truth or His plans from us.  And just like a parent should teach their children what is right and what is wrong, the Lord has not only created us with a conscience, but has given us His word (the Bible), which contains everything in it that we could possibly need to know and understand!  Just like in parenting, or in life, it is not fair to suddenly be rewarded or disciplined for something one didn't know about.

In the above verses, people are reminded and warned of what will happen when they reject the Lord, giving them fair opportunity to change their hearts and minds.  The Lord also tells us the good news of His certain hope that we can have when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, because He desires that all come to know Him.  To actually KNOW Him and know what to expect from Him, as well as what He expects from us so that we can have a life of purpose, in His love, grace, guidance, strength and blessings.