Amos #05: an exposition of Amos 5:1-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delviered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 1, 2014.
Intro:
There’s no doubt he was gaining a reputation. Folks were talking. He was hard to ignore. For the most part folks were convinced he was some kind of nut. Here this southerner came up north announcing God’s judgment on the nation. They must have looked at him like folks look at a street preacher declaring the end of the world. “Israel is fallen and there is no one to help.” What is he talking about? “They will drag you away with hooks, every last one of you with fishhooks.” Some laughed. Israel had not seen the kind of luxury they were experiencing since the days of Solomon. Their fortified cities seemed impenetrable. Their vineyards flowed with wine. Their grain bins were filled to capacity. God’s blessing was evident. Yet this nut declares they are under the judgment of the Almighty. In fact there was something of a religious revival taking place. The shrines were overrun with pilgrims. Sacrifices were offered in abundance. The people sang with enthusiasm. This fig-picking prophet needs to go back home. He is obviously delusional. At a time when Israel was expecting a testimonial dinner he showed up and delivered a eulogy. They assumed God would send a messenger to sing their praise and he belts out a funeral dirge. Our text this evening is the 5th chapter of Amos.
Text: Amos 5:1-17
Israel was in her last days, they just didn’t know it.
They expected a “day of the Lord” they just never expected it to fall on them!
They just knew God would come in violent judgment of their pagan neighbors.
They never suspected that they would be judge with such severity.
Amos, not from prophet stock, was called to take the message of God’s judgment to the nation.
He began by speaking God’s judgment on the surrounding peoples.
This was much to Israel’s delight.
Then he brought the message home.
As the people of God judgment would be intensified.
They knew better.
They were held to a higher standard.
They had the benefit of the law and the prophets.
They had been graced with the covenants.
They had known the blessing and presence of God.
Here, in chapter 5…
Thesis: The prophet makes it abundantly clear: the faith that brings life trusts wholly in the God who is and demonstrates the fruit of new life in Him.
Chapter 5 is a “lament.”
A lament, common in the Old Testament, is a song of loss or a song of mourning.
It is sung at the loss of something or someone dear.
It is a funeral song.
You know that must have been irritating to the people of Israel.
It would be like folks gathered to celebrate your birthday.
Everyone is laughing, having a good time.
Someone shows up and says, “I’d like to sing this for the birthday boy.”
Then they belt out “Beyond the Sunset” or some other funeral tune!
Let me say a word about the structure of the chapter. It is in the chiastic form. That means it opens and closes on the same note. Chapter 5 opens and closes with a lament over the death of the nation. Following the opening lament (1-3) there is a call to seek the Lord (4-6); then there is an accusation of injustice (7). Verses 8-9 (the climax of the passage) is a hymn to God. Then we back out with an accusation of injustice (10-13); a call to seek the Lord (14-15); and end with another lament over the death of the nation (16-17).
With this structure God, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel is the focal point.
He is the central figure in the chapter.
He is the point.
From this I want to make two (2) observations and ask a question.
- God sovereignly judges those who claim relationship with Him but show no sign of genuine belief. (5:1-3, 5, 7, 10-13, 16-17)
- God promises life to those who genuinely seek Him. (5:4-6, 14-15)
Let’s consider the question…
- Who is this God who must be sought? (5:8-9)