Proper 10: First Reading, Amos 7:7-10                                               

Amos 7:7-10

I love the Prophets. All of them. There are the “big boys.” You know: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. And then there’s the rest. We refer to them as “minor prophets.” They are anything but. Their messages are as ear-popping and hard-hitting as anything in all of Holy Scripture. Their messages are both timely and timeless. And we need to listen. Prepare to be shaken.

Israel, the northern kingdom, is on the way out. And a shepherd by the name of Amos is about to let the message fall from his lips. And when it does? Ouch! No one likes bad news. Even less when recipients realize they are the cause. And as one might imagine, the one carrying the message doesn’t get good reviews from those in power.

Fast forward to 2021. The world is spinning and none too smoothly. I’m not one to read the Bible looking for current events to “plug in” to prophecy holes to say “such and such is surely on the horizon.” I don’t believe the Bible is put together that way. But I will say that the ongoing principles in Scripture do apply to the hearts and lives of men and nations. God reigns. The advent of His Kingdom in its fullness is much nearer than when Amos or even Jesus walked the earth. And sin, personal and national, is still an affront to a thrice-holy God.

God could justifiably wipe out the planet on which we live at any moment. That message doesn’t land on ears any easier than Amos’ message to a corrupt Israel. But His matchless mercy through His Son keeps the world spinning. Until the day when we will see God’s Son face to face.

It’s the only thing that makes bad news and crumbling kingdoms bearable.

Lord, let us seek first Your kingdom which has no end. Amen!