Amos 3 - Look in the Mirror!

Amos - Chapter 3 

It is easy to focus on the faults of others. Let's again look at the current political situation. Both sides are hypocritical. Was there election fraud? Many believe so. They go so far as to say that God is working in such a way as to expose the corruption at just the right time. They keep saying that, waiting, hoping. If corruption exists, I too hope it will be exposed. Or do I?

Israel could point to the sins of Moab, and they were many and awful. But when God deals with what is going on, He doesn't just look at Moab, He also looks at Israel and what has been going on with them. How has Israel handled what it has been given during this time? Have they used a time of plenty to honor their God? Or has the plenty become their God? Prior to this election, what has been the climate of the churches in America? Have we used this time to help the "widows and orphans," (James 1:27) or has this time been used to build elaborate buildings, programs, and staff in order to increase our presence and popularity among ourselves? Have we honored God during times of plenty in the way the He would desire to be honored, or have we honored our own agendas in His name? 

Verse 11 is striking. "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." Does this sound like God is just going to expose the corruption of Moab, without also dealing with the sins of Israel? 

Yet I do believe that there is a difference in how God deals and punishes Moab verses how God deals and punishes Israel. Moab's punishment is the end result, a direct consequence of their sins. There will ultimately be no relief from their punishment. For Israel, the punishment has a desired result, repentance. God desires that Israel look in the mirror and see their sins and turn back to God. 

I find verse 12 interesting, and wonder at its true interpretation. As I see it, the shepherd rescues a portion of the animal devoured by the lion. Does that mean that Jesus will redeem some, but not all of Israel? That in this time of trial, some will be overtaken and still refuse to repent, but those who do will find redemption? As I recall the words of Jesus, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matt 7:13,14) It is also interesting to note that these verses are followed by a stern warning regarding false prophets.

I think the bottom line is this, look at yourself first! You may or may not be able to change the situation at the top, but you can definitely change your situation in regard to what you have put your faith and trust in, and how you deal with the circumstances you encounter as a result. It all starts with a hard look at what is in the mirror.