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| Order Of Worship (Liturgy) |
AMOS 3:1-8
(Readings: John 8:12-30; Exodus 3:1-15)
Through Guess Who?
Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ…
What gives me the right to speak to you this way?
Why should I have the privilege of being the one to preach twice each Lord’s Day, and for as long as I do on each occasion?
And which special benefit do I have to deliver to you the sermons that I do?
Did you ever think about this?
Normally it wouldn’t go through your mind - would it?
So, when do you think you would ask such questions?
How about when you don’t like what’s being said?
Could it be when someone is absolutely horrified about how harsh or unfair the preaching is?
They don’t see that’s about the Gospel at all!
There’s no love of God there!
And it is all about “grace” after all - isn’t it?
Our salvation has got nothing to do with what we do - or don’t do - has it?
The preacher who lays on the line the full implications of Christian discipleship will not find everyone in the pew the most willing recipient.
Or, for that matter, neither will the prophet who reminds Israel of old about the commandments of the Lord find universal popularity.
As Amos well knows!
Mind you, that doesn’t stop him.
In fact, what we have in this text before us is the beginning of his major discourse on the judgment of Israel.
But I jump ahead of myself here.
Let’s listen to what the people then first heard from Amos in this third chapter.
Remember, this is the same Amos who has caught them cleverly in his ever tightening noose in the first two chapters.
There he went from the furtherest and most obviously wicked nations - in Israel’s eyes anyhow - to bringing it right home with the far more detailed word on Israel herself!
With the beginning of chapter 3, though, his style seems different.
Looking at our Bibles doesn’t it appear as if Amos goes straight for the jugular?
The word “against” implies a strongly direct approach.
Ah, there’s the rub!
The word translated in most versions as “against” is more literally “concerning” or “about.”
And while we understand it as “against” because of what follows, to those hearing it then that wasn’t necessarily so.
Rather, with the immediate words of verse 1 and the first half of verse 2, they would more likely have been drawn in again by the style of Amos.
Congregation, I would put it to you that this wisdom goes to show, in the words of a first aspect … THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS.
As he begins this speech with the words “Hear this word that the LORD has spoken,” Amos has them listening.
He is a person who while not liked yet has to be listened to.
So - how do we know Amos has this authority?
Anyone can tell someone else off.
People pass judgment on each other everyday.
And some of those doing so can seem to have the authority to do it - when in fact it’s only their own selfish desires which are being expressed.
How can we know this is true about Amos?
Allow me to mention two things proving THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS.
The first is the prophet’s calling the people to recount.
“O people of Israel” Amos cries out.
Then he calls them “the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt.”
And bringing their history really home, he reminds them, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth…”
The whole Hebrew race is identified.
It has to be.
They’re in this together - Amos too, though he’s from the southern kingdom.
All twelve tribes are meant, because they are the ones who profess to be God’s own people.
They are all who share this spiritual heritage.
And it’s the richest history which Amos evokes - this is the special choosing and care of them by no-one less than the Lord himself!
Congregation, if someone were to refer to the great defining event in our history isn’t that a real attention grabber?
Mention Gallipoli and you have the backs of many Aussies - and Kiwis! - standing stiff and tall with patriotism!
Speak about the ANZAC tradition and you’re pulling on some powerful emotional heartstrings.
Then to really bring it home with the uniqueness of it all for them - “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” - and you’ve pressed the right button alright!
The authority is there in the style!
Calling the people to recount is drawing the people right in there with him.
He is removing all unnecessary obstacles in the way of God’s Word.
This is not to say that there are times the prophets are clearly condemning, but that’s never because there hasn’t been much patience and work by the LORD through the prophets in the first place.
This is saying, however, that anyone who has the preaching style of the gattling gun may well not have the authority in his words.
How can anyone hear the Lord’s words, after all, if they’re not listening first of all?
If they then turn away that lies on their own head.
But the LORD’s preacher has then at least got as close as he can.
That’s the spirit of the apostle Paul.
In 1st Corinthians 9:22 he says he becomes all things to all men, so that through that he might at least save some.
Congregation, THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS because it doesn’t have that air of domination at all.
Actually, by calling the people to recount their glorious heritage, the prophet has drawn them in.
But at the same time THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS precisely because then the people are called to account.
Remember the way this sermon began.
There was mentioned the kind of concerns raised by those in the pew when they are not happy with what’s being said from the pulpit.
And when they’re unhappy for the wrong reasons, they will often accuse the preacher of adding to grace.
They will say that the Gospel saves - not what the preacher tells them to do.
And they may say other things too, like “This is not a salvation issue.”
Or they keep asking, “Where’s the joy in the gospel?”
They want to be surrounded by lots of warm fuzzies - not cold pricklies!
I mean, look how blessed we are!
Why go on about all those negatives now?
I know that there are preachers who are always telling us off.
But you can hear that from them right from the start!
Their record is definitely scratched - they just keep saying the same words over and over again!
Whether that’s to the extreme of a cult leader, or a local pastor feeling somewhat threatened, there is a constant negative refrain in their words.
That’s not the case here - or anywhere a genuine preacher calls the Lord’s people to account.
But call to account God’s spokesman at some point must do.
That’s why there is the “therefore” in verse 2.
Someone once quipped, “Whenever you see a ‘therefore’ in the Bible, you must find out what it is there for!”
It’s true!
Look at verse 2!
Having recalled their amazing past, the prophet now points out to them the responsibility which went with that privilege.
That is a word we hear seldom in Christianity nowadays - responsibility!
There’s certainly much said about the believer’s privilege.
That has even been extended into how lucky God is to have us on his side, because we have to affirm his Father-heart.
But as to what we owe God - isn’t that legalism?
Sadly, this is how many churches today speak against the biblical teaching.
They have become the legalists, because of what they think they need to do to help God keep it altogether!
They have become rude and self-centred.
How do we know?
Well, when is it they say, “Thank You.”
I’m not talking about praise - or rather the hyped-up, beat-up, experience for a few hours on a Sunday.
I’m speaking of what they do on the other days.
I’m referring to all those exaggerated claims to huge revivals in this country when its citizens and government couldn’t be a more godless lot!
We know from the Bible that he who has been given much, from him much is expected.
And Israel had it all!
No other nation had the privilege she had.
In the words of C.F. Keil, “The greater the measure of grace, the greater also is the punishment if it is neglected or despised.”
And what about you here today?
No one else knows the saving grace found alone by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Christian.
It was Jesus himself who said in John 14, verse 15, “If you love me you will obey what I command.”
This is a fundamental law of the Kingdom of God.
The believer is showing where he’s going!
So - do you?
If what the apostle Peter wrote is true, then it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God.
A judgement which won’t wipe the whole flock - but it will certainly sort out the sheep from the goats!
A remnant would remain in Israel.
They too had been punished.
But it purified them.
And it’s the same today.
The modern church has been chosen as God’s way of salvation now, so he’ll punish her sin to keep her as the holy vessel of his saving grace.
Dear friend, don’t ever take your salvation lightly.
As Paul says in Philippians 2, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.” (v12f)
THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS.
Other times in church history, when God spoke about the deformation in his people, he would use that to bring about reformation.
That happened when people saw not only that THERE IS AUTHORITY IN THESE WORDS but especially when they realised, secondly … THERE IS AUTHORITY BEHIND THESE WORDS.
Many times in his ministry our Lord Jesus was admired for his teaching but it was only when people saw what was behind those words that they were saved.
This is what the verses 3 till 8 are about in the text.
And again we cannot help but notice how Amos has to constantly use all the skills of an orator to keep his congregation’s attention.
He’s done it already with that clever circling around and countdown in chapters 1 and 2; he’s led them into their own trap through the images of their tradition in the verse 1 and 2 of this text; and now he’s straight into it once more.
You see, he begins to puzzle with them.
That’s one thing the Hebrews can’t resist - a riddle, and the trickier the better!
Elsewhere the Bible shows different examples of that - from the proverbs in Proverbs through to the parables of Jesus.
And you’ll find a similar fascination with these brain teasers in the Middle East even today.
It was a mark of wisdom for a speaker to keep the crowd guessing.
It made the meaning much more poignant when it was uncovered.
So “do two walk together unless they have agreed to meet?”
It’s a guessing game alright.
It still keeps Christians and even commentators guessing today.
What is your guess?
Could these two be the Lord and Israel?
They obviously aren’t walking together!
But let’s hear the rest of the riddles, because they all have the same essential meaning:
“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 comes to a city, unless the LORD has done it?”
So - what did you think?
Is it still about the Lord and Israel?
This pattern of cause and effect show an inextricable link between two parties.
This is a connection so close that the one naturally flows out of the other.
That couldn’t be the Lord and Israel.
Who then would we tie in so closely with the Lord?
And why would that person, or persons, have to be seen that closely to the Lord?
That’s how the riddle describes this relationship.
So, let’s look a little closer at these similes.
Take the two walking together.
In their time you didn’t travel alone if you could help it.
Mind you, we don’t recommend it in our time either!
Because it wasn’t safe to travel alone didn’t mean you simply joined up with anyone else going along the same road.
That stranger could be a bandit.
So to see two travelling together suggested they had arranged to do it together.
Who then would have the same mind and purpose as the Lord?
Who was together with him?
The roar of the lion, in verse 4, wouldn’t come before that lion has caught something.
Otherwise he would never catch any prey!
So he roars because he has his prey, just as he roars in his den because he’s about to settle down to his meal.
The cause and effect imagery continues with the bird and the trap in verse 5.
A bird won’t be caught if the trap hasn’t been set, just as a trap won’t be triggered unless there’s something there!
The sound of the trumpet is the same.
I mean, who of us doesn’t tremble when we hear an emergency vehicle going past - whether it’s fire, ambulance or police?
That’s what the trumpet’s sound meant to them there.
Then Amos draws it even more clearly by saying that when disaster comes to a city, hasn’t the Lord caused it?
You can run people of Israel, but you can’t hide.
You won’t get away.
Don’t blame it on bad luck or coincidences or those obscure forces of fate.
You’re in trouble because the LORD had planned it and I’m telling you about it!
Have you guessed it?
If not, then verse 7 spills the beans, “For the LORD God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”
Congregation, THERE IS AUTHORITY BEHIND THESE WORDS.
The cause of all things is going to telling them about the effect of his judgment upon them.
That’s what his spokesman declares.
It is what his spokesmen have said right throughout the Hebrew history.
When Amos says that the LORD God doesn’t do anything without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets, this is the strongest connection to all of them!
We read of Moses whom God sent to Pharaoh to declare his will for his people then.
And when he asked the LORD what were his credentials for declaring his Will, God said in Exodus 3:14, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Another example is Samuel as a boy in 1st Samuel 3.
There in verse 7 it says, “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD.
“The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.”
To Daniel the Lord said in Daniel 9:22, “Daniel, I have given you insight and understanding.”
And through Jeremiah the Lord said it negatively in describing false prophets: “But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their false deeds (Jer.23:32).”
Congregation - the Lord speaks!
“The lion has roared; who will not fear?
“The LORD God has spoken; who can but prophesy?” (v8)
It is a terrible disaster coming upon the people.
It will totally devastate their nation.
Nothing will be the same anymore.
But God tells them!
His prophets proclaim.
They warn the people to repent and to reform.
Will they listen?
Do they get this riddle?
Have you understood it?
You see, God may be gracious.
He is yet withholding judgement on the world.
There is still time.
And we’ve got his Word.
In fact, it was the Living Word himself who has come and shown us once and for all time the ultimate purpose of God’s plan.
We have heard him say in John 8:24, “If you don’t believe I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
Herman Veldkamp conveys the desperation well, “We are entering a frightening and perilous situation.
“The Lord’s voice comes through loudly, persistently, and urgently.
“Listen to the Word of the Lord!
“Listen to the roar of the lion - and be afraid!
“Listen to the Father’s supplication - and be not afraid!
“Flee God’s wrath by running into His arms.
“Remember that the Lion who roars is also the Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world.
“Those who have learned to fear the roaring of the Lion will be able to sing the song of the Lamb.”
Will Israel turn and repent?
They have had their judgment spelt out now on the best authority.
Amos is declaring it to them exactly because the Lord has told him.
He listened - would they?
Congregation, since Amos the ultimate prophet of all has come.
Through the doing and dying of Jesus Christ, the Living Word, all believers are now prophets.
The Holy Spirit is now on the heart of each Christian.
And this may well be a time, like Israel in Amos’ time, when the world won’t repent.
Perhaps reformation won’t happen in our lifetime.
But don’t let it be because you haven’t said anything.
Don’t let it ever be because you didn’t show everything that Jesus Christ has done for you.
Amen.
PRAYER:
Let’s pray…
Almighty God,
you who is so full of mercy and patience, please grant that we will always have time to be reconciled with you, every day.
Lord, make us pay attention to your teaching, and to all your warnings and reprimands.
Don’t allow us to become so hardened against you that you would bring the severest punishment on us.
Instead humble us, give us a spirit of teachableness and obedience.
Use us Lord to proclaim the whole of your Word - to witness to your great love in your Son, our Saviour.
Through him, our Lord Jesus Christ, make us to truly call on you as our Father.
Amen.
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Sjirk Bajema, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
The source for this sermon was: www.rcnz.org.nz
(c) Copyright, Rev. Sjirk Bajema
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