God IS Faithful

Bible Study

Amos 3:1-11 ESV

This chapter of Amos opens with a plea made by the prophet Amos.

Hear...please Israel Hear!

Amos 3:1-II, "Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it? "For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.The lion has roared; who will not fear?The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?" Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst.""They do not know how to do right," declares the Lord,"those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds."Therefore thus says the Lord God: "An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered.”

This section opens with the subject close to God's heart! Hear me Israel...Hear my plea!

God reminded Israel of the time of Moses He delivered them out of Egypt and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.

Israel alone was given that promise. No other people in any other land received that same promise. God remembers the promise still.

God “knew” only Israel in the Old Testament. Since the day of Moses God did not seek to give away the blessing to another. Even though were not faithful to God, God was faithful to them.

They were and are chosen (through Jesus). Because of the promise God made, He continues to be faithful to His people…to Israel. Even though they have not been faithful and kept their word, God is faithful.

The series of questions and scenarios presented in this section of Amos teach us today about God’s faithfulness to His children who put their trust in God. Are we faithful to God? Do we listen well to God? What would the consequences be for us if we are not faithful and trusting in God? How does this section of Amos speak to you?

In verse 7 there is a shift and God reminds the reader God doesn’t do anything without a warning. In the Old Testament God sent prophets. That can still happen today, but the warning can sometimes come from an unexpected source, remember God IS God.

Praying and listening was important in the 8th Century B.C. and it’s still important today. God still communicates with us in myriad of ways!

Finally dear readers, you are encouraged to take heed and listen today.

Take time to sit with God.

Believe God is God and God still speaks today. Just like Israel, we still need to Listen!

Deborah @ acrazyjourney.com