Amos 6-9: I am so thankful that God is a God of great mercy. All through Amos the prophet recounts all of the death and destruction headed to Israel and the surrounding countries. The message is sever and sad. I can’t imagine how Amos and the other prophets must have felt to be asked by God to deliver this message. I loved Amos’ response when encouraged to flee.
Amos 7:12And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, 13but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”
14Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.
It was merciful for God to warn the people. He longed for them to have a better life. Yet they would not listen or obey. So the outcome of disobedience is destruction and captivity.
It happened just as Amos and the other prophets prophesied as Israel was conquered and deported. Again in God’s mercy and sovereignty He again restored.
Amos 9:14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,
and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,
and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 I will plant them on their land,
and they shall never again be uprooted
out of the land that I have given them,”
God’s great desire was never to harm Israel but to bring the people back into right relationship with Him. There are times that all of us go through a time of pruning or discipline not because God hates us, but because He loves us and longs for us to walk right with Him. Don’t rebel sweet friend. Turn to Him, stop any ungodliness, move back into the right path and allow the mercy of the Lord to wash over you. You are never too far away.