Day 8

Judgment on Israel and Her Neighbors

from the reading plan


Amos 1:1-15, Amos 2:1-16, Psalm 33:13-22, Isaiah 42:10-13


Fire is both beautiful and dangerous. There is something about it that seems to draw us in. When I sit in front of a fire pit on a crisp dark night, I find that I am often mesmerized. But while fire attracts with its stunning movement and color, it also repels with its dangerous heat. It’s a fascinating paradox: you cannot get too close to it without being injured, and at the same time, you cannot look away.

It is no coincidence that in the Bible, God’s presence is often made manifest in fire. His holiness and wrath against sin cause us to approach Him with humility and reverence as broken sinners. And, in the first few chapters of Amos, the writer marshals the attention of the rebellious Israelites by using fire as a primary metaphor in his message. For Amos in particular, the imagery of fire is predominately used for judgment. It is abundantly clear in Amos chapters 1 and 2, that in response to Israel’s repeated rebellion, “God will not revoke the punishment” (1:3). Our God roars from Zion!

And yet, even as God has decided to judge the world for sin, His gavel falls only after a season of patient endurance. Thankfully, in the sweep of biblical history, we are able to see that God is slow to anger (Psalm 103:8). Like the Israelites of the Old Testament, we can cry, “Lord, have mercy.” And thankfully, God answers that cry, extending mercy to those who honor and fear Him (Psalm 33:18-19).

With the coming of Christ, the fire of judgment has been lit. The question for all of us is this: Will we cry out to God for mercy in Jesus Christ? Every person that has ever lived will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. That means that either we repent and confess Him by faith now, or we will confess Him in shame and terror on the last day. We will either be consumed in fiery wrath on the last day, or we can become the products of fiery refinement today. Our response to the gospel determines our outcome in the final day of fire.

The good news of the gospel is this: it is by grace through faith in Christ alone that we are delivered from death (Ephesians 2:8). He is calling out to us. “The Lord roars from Zion and makes his voice heard from Jerusalem” (Amos 1:2). And while we approach God with both humility and reverence, as Christians we can also rest in His steadfast love.

O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Written by Matt Capps

Post Comments (3)

3 thoughts on "Judgment on Israel and Her Neighbors"

  1. Sam H says:

    The gospel is God’s mercy now. How sweet it is for us to be able to go before the Almighty God’s feet and beg for mercy and walk away with salvation.

  2. Kevin says:

    Day 8: had quite the restful week in prayer this last week. I think it’s important every now and then to simply sit and be, with the lord. God brings clarity when we take the time to hang out with him. When we set aside the “busyness” we claim as reasoning for not being with the lord, not only does our sight of him fade, but our ability to make decisions like the lord would have us fades. Today, I’m thankful for a God that hears our cries. A God that is slow to anger when we fall into mistakes and sinful ways of the world. I’m thankful for you all!

    I love the verse psalm 31:21 “for our heart is glad in him because we trust his holy name”. Take joy in the lord today. Encourage someone today. I love y’all! Back at it this week. 💪🏼

  3. Joseph Johal says:

    Such an amazing picture of God is painted in this picture. God as a burning fire is so cool to think about! Throughout my life I’ve felt God as a refining fire building me up, but it never came without being burnt a little bit in the process, but I’ve grown through it! I’m drawn to God like moth to flame, but yet I can never touch him, and that’s ok. Overall, I love the picture that these chapters create for God!

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