a witness to the nations

The reading for this coming Sunday, October 9th is Amos 3.

Amos 3 sounds a bit like a court case. The case is presented in Amos 3:1-2. Amos has some opening questions in Amos 3:3-8 - ones which seem to need no answer. There is a testimony of hostile witnesses in 3:9-10, then the verdict and sentencing in 3:11-15.

If we think of the relationship between Israel and God as a marriage, God has kept God's side of the bargain (covenant), while Israel has been unfaithful. God delivered Israel and selected Israel to be a special, chosen nation. But Israel has forgotten, and God is jealous. Prophets have tried to remind Israel, but Israel has failed to hear the prophetic word while living in the Promised Land.

The Israelites have lost their sense of integrity. This messages hits hard, striking again at Israel's secure, comfortable living. In the judgment proclaimed here (vs.11-15), altars in Bethel (meaning "House of God") will be eliminated, opulent homes will be destroyed, and there will be no grace.

God is holding Israel to a high standard, and judgment is coming because they "knew better." More was expected of them, and they have failed miserably. The covenant was an invitation to privilege, but also to responsibility. There are consequences for forgetting - and Amos is alerting Israel to this cause-and-effect relationship.

In the BCBC commentary, Guenther writes: "By summoning the nations to observe Israel's sin, God exposes their shame. The act of judgment vindicates God and preserves the divine integrity. As they witness God's punishment of that sin, his sovereignty and hatred of sin become clear to all. God's purposes were not to be thwarted, even by the unbelief and disobedience of his people. In this way the divine judgment becomes a faith invitation to the nations." 

* Is this "invitation" inviting? In what ways are we a witness to the nations of who God is?


* What is the image of God portrayed so far in Amos?


* How is our picture/image of God different from the ones portrayed here in Amos? Does our picture need expanding, or are we the "right" ones? Does Amos' picture of God need expanding?


* The church, like Israel, has a high calling. Read Isaiah 43:1-3 for a beautiful passage about Israel's/our chosen status. How are we embodying that calling? How are we claiming our "chosen-ness"?


* Is God silent today? If not, what messages are coming from prophets around us?