Three of God’s characteristics are often mentioned about his essential nature. He is all-powerful, He is present everywhere at any time, and He is all-knowing.
What is interesting about these characteristics is that when the Hebrew people wanted to understand God, they were not emphasized. Instead, what was most impressive about God was His justice and righteousness.
In every era of God’s activity with His people, He has called them to be a blessing to the world. We bless the world not through power and might, but by embodying His character of justice and righteousness.
Amos pointed out the utter foolishness and uselessness of focusing on power at the expense of justice and righteousness.
Do horses run on rocky crags?
Does one plow the sea with oxen?
But you have turned justice into poison
and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,
You who rejoice in Lo-debar,
who say, “Have we not by our own strength
taken Karnaim for ourselves?” (Amos 6.12-13)
A farmer who tried to plant his crops in the ocean would be deemed insane. Even though it is a common practice to substitute power and prestige for justice and righteousness, God sees it just as foolish.
The term “Lo-debar” in Hebrew can be translated as “no thing” or “nothing.”
The Israelites may have believed themselves secure and boasted of their achievements, but in God’s eyes, they were worthless or non-existent things.
The term “Karnaim” means “two horns” and is often associated with strength, power, might, and authority.
Military might and success in war, without righteousness and justice, receive God’s condemnation. It is as illogical as trying to plow the ocean with an ox.
Humility and Trust
We should not be surprised that God once again addresses misplaced human pride, which pushes aside humility and reliance upon God.
Let’s refresh our minds on the issue of pride and humility so that we can better align our lives with God’s will.
(1) Road to Destruction – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
History is filled with examples of men and women who fell victim to their own pride, leading to their downfall.
On the other hand, it’s hard to find an instance where someone committed to justice and righteousness experienced a similar fate.
(2) Favored or Opposed – “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'” (James 4:6).
God sent Amos to Israel, hoping the people would hear his message and repent. The issue with pride is that it prevents us from listening to prophets who convey God’s words, leading us to be at odds with God.
In contrast, humility opens us to embrace God’s grace, wisdom, and guidance.
(3) Exalted or Humbled – “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
People who choose power and pride over righteousness and justice are bound to fail. On the other hand, those who humble themselves before God, listen to His wisdom, and follow it with obedience are destined to succeed.
Ultimately, the choice is ours.
(4) The Model of Humility – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4).
These two verses introduce Paul’s beautiful hymn about Jesus, where he urges us to imitate Jesus’ humility. By following His example, we move beyond focusing solely on our interests, turning instead to the needs of others.
This shift helps us prioritize God’s righteousness and justice over self-centered desires and living independently from God.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 