When Peter wrote, “For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God” (1 Peter 4.17), he echoed the message of Amos.
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said:
Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake
and shatter them on the heads of all the people,
and those who are left I will kill with the sword;
not one of them shall flee away,
not one of them shall escape. (Amos 9.1)
The ornate pillars, referred to as capitals, were crucial in supporting the temple structure. If these pillars were to collapse, the entire temple complex would follow suit.
It’s important to note that this refers to the temple in Samaria, not the one located in Jerusalem.
God’s people are called to a specific purpose in their lives. Instead of serving a God who personally caters to our desires, we are called to partner with Him, actively promoting His agenda in the world.
Religious leaders in Samaria breached their covenant with God through various actions. Firstly, they merged the worship of God with that of Canaanite deities, losing the distinctiveness of God’s true nature.
Secondly, their practices allowed them to accumulate significant wealth, making them the second most affluent group in the nation, just behind the national rulers.
Thirdly, their conduct contributed to the oppression of the nation’s majority, who were poor.
Hear and Repent
What would have happened if, instead of the physical temple trembling, the hearts of the religious leaders had been stirred with remorse for their sins?
Imagine if the words of the prophet had led them to examine their actions and to remove the idols from their place of worship, prioritizing the well-being of the people over their own wealth.
What if they had embraced full-hearted repentance and turned back to God?
I think this was the true intent behind the prophet’s message. God dispatched the prophets to warn the people, urging them to change their ways before He was compelled to enact judgment.
As Rudy Ross and I study the prophets together, God has revealed to me several areas in my life where repentance is needed. He has shown me the importance of aligning my attitudes and actions with His will.
Additionally, He has impressed upon me the power of praying for our world. This includes praying for ministers and servants of God, so that they may align with His purposes.
Our nation and the world greatly need the church to lead the way in repentance.
No Hiding from God’s Judgment
In God’s attempt to get the attention of religious leaders who had perverted Israel’s covenant commitment to God, Amos painted a picture of despair.
Though they dig into Sheol,
from there shall my hand take them;
though they climb up to heaven,
from there I will bring them down. (Amos 9.2)
The prospect of God’s judgment will be so cataclysmic that people will seek refuge in extreme measures, either by digging into the realm of the dead or by climbing to high places, hoping to escape God’s reach.
However, the reality is that they cannot elude God and His judgment.
Isaiah provides a more detailed depiction of a similar scenario.
Enter the caves of the rocks
and the holes of the ground,
from the terror of the Lord
and from the glory of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
On that day people will throw away
to the moles and to the bats
their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
which they made for themselves to worship. (Isaiah 2.19-20)
The stark reality of God’s presence reveals the utter poverty of the idols we treasure, prompting us to cast them aside, throwing them to the moles and bats.
Simultaneously, this divine presence makes us acutely aware of how we are utterly undone in the face of His magnificent glory.
If a prophet like Amos or Isaiah were to come to a church in modern America, what sort of idols would they find?
There probably wouldn’t be a golden calf in a prominent place in the worship center, but there may be several “idols” that divert our focus from true devotion to God.
(1) Material Wealth and Consumerism – America’s intense focus on acquiring wealth and material possessions has led to the emergence of prosperity gospel preachers.
Both mega-churches and smaller congregations often promote the belief that God’s blessings are evidenced through financial prosperity and the accumulation of material goods.
How can almighty dollar compare to the amazing presence of God?
(2) Political Power and Nationalism – When patriotism and nationalism blend with the Christian faith, a distorted gospel emerges. This prioritizes national interests or political agendas over God’s revealed will.
Recently, I learned that two churches in Southern Missouri, during special events for men, displayed tanks on their property. I wonder how an American military vehicle can hold any significance compared to the majesty of God.
What happened to Paul’s message that the Gospel is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1.16)?
(3) Celebrity Culture and Personalities – The glorification of religious leaders and celebrities can become a form of idolatry.
Several national and international ministers have attained celebrity status. When some of them experience spiritual downfalls, many of their followers, who have placed their faith in these figures, are also led astray.
Wouldn’t the world be far better served by focusing on the majesty of God rather than on the celebrities who occupy our pulpits?
Lord, What about Me?
We need to reflect on an important question: What about ourselves?
What are the idols in our lives that we need to discard to make room for the awe-inspiring presence of God? How can we better listen to Him and align our lives with His will?
These are the questions we should contemplate in light of Amos’ message today.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 