Prepare to Meet God
" Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:" (Amos 7:8)
REFLECTION: In 931 BC the Nation of Israel was divided. 10 of the “Tribes” followed Jereboam to the North while 2 of the Tribes followed Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) who ruled in Jerusalem. Jereboam established two pagan alters and built golden calves for the Northern Tribe to worship in Bethel (the house of God) and Dan. (1 Kings 12:25-32) The Northern Tribe rapidly degenerated into idolatry. God sent many prophets over the years and in 765BC God sent Amos (who was a farmer from Judah) to show them that they had drifted so far from His “Plumbline” that they were in danger of crashing. NOTE: Amos means “Burden.”
DIRECTION: God’s message and method of dealing with Israel is still very relevant to us today.
Let’s look at how God calls them (AND US) back to his “Plumbline.”
THE REJECTION OF GOD’S “PLUMBLINE” 1 Kgs 12:26-33
1. THE DIGRESSION {DRIFT} FROM GOD.
“can two walk together except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3
A. CONCERN FOR SELF RATHER THAN GOD’S INTERESTS. Vs 27
B. COUNSEL OF MEN RATHER THAN GOD’S WORD. “He took counsel”
"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:" (Isa 30:1)
C. CONVENIENCE RATHER THAN OBEDIENCE “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.” Vs 28
D. COMPROMISE RATHER THAN CONVICTION “These be thy god’s…” Vs 28
1) One Compromise always leads to another.
E. CORRUPTION RATHER THAN CHARACTER “made priests of the lowest of the people.” Vs 31
2. THE COMPASSION OF GOD.
A. PATIENT: Gave them 210 years to repent.
B. PASSIONATE: Hosea was a contemporary of Amos.
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jer 31:3)
C. PURPOSEFUL
1) Sent PROPHETS to warn them. “behold their came a man of God out of Judah…” 1 Ki 13:1
> The prophets remind us of God’s standards and act as a “measure” or Plumbline.
> God still says: “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thes 5:20,21
2) Sent PROBLEMS to teach them the folly of their choices. Amos 4
a) Famine “yet have ye not returned unto me.” Amos 4:6
b) Selective Drought “yet have ye not returned unto me.” Amos 4:8
c) Disease on crops “yet have ye not returned unto me.” Amos 4:9
d) Loss of children: “yet have ye not returned unto me.” Amos 4:10
e) War: “yet have ye not returned unto me.” Amos 4:11
3. THE DIRECTIONS FROM GOD: (Amos 4:12)
"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, ."
> GOD GAVE ISRAEL ONE MORE GENERATION TO RETURN TO HIM. THEY REFUSED TO RETURN TO GOD AND SO THEY WERE DESTROYED BY ASSYRIA IN 721 BC.
"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?" (Mal 3:7)
> HOW MANY MORE GENERATIONS WILL GOD GIVE US?
APPLICATION: How do you repair a bowing wall that is out of plumb? You rebuild it.
HOW DO YOU REBUILD A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
"For precept must be upon precept, … line upon line, … here a little, and there a little:" (Isa 28:10)
THE PATH YOU TRAVELED AWAY FROM GOD WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO HIM.
> PLACE GOD’S CONCERNS ABOVE YOUR OWN.
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:20)
> SEEK GOD’S COUNSEL BEFORE OTHERS.
"Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength." (Prov 8:14)
> PLACE OBEDIENCE BEFORE PERSONAL CONVENIENCE
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Pet 4:17)
> DEVELOP CONVICTIONS BASED ON GOD’S WORD. (2 Tim 3:16)
> CULTIVATE THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE. (WWJD?)
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Pet 2:21)
