The Reality of God¡¦s Judgment
Amos 5:18-27
We have looked at three messages to warn Israel of Impending, Imminent, and Inescapable judgment. (3:1-5:17) We will now look at two messages of WOE "an interjection signifying grief or denunciation." This particular word is used often in the Bible. Sometimes it translated as "alas." It is used in Revelation 8:13: "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth." There were still three trumpets to sound, announcing more of God’s judgment. It was used to announce a terrible time to come on the earth. It is used here in Amos to do the same.
Note: The phrase "Day of the Lord" refers to a period of time that is to come in which God will bring judgment to His enemies and upon the ungodliness of man and then establish His kingdom. It is also a time in which Israel will both be tested and purified. However, most Israelites had the idea that it would be a day in which God would finally clear the way for the Hebrews to be the world rulers, with the Messiah on the throne. They believed it would be a day of exoneration and exaltation for them. Amos is about to point out their "stinkin’ thinkin’."
I. THE FIRST MESSAGE OF WOE„³YOU WILL EXILED AND NOT EXALTED. (5:18-27)
A. The Lord¡¦s Return (18-20)
1. A day of despair (18)
2. A day of darkness (18, 20)
3. A day of doom (19)
B. The Lord¡¦s Rejection (21-26)
1. Of their ritual (21-23)
2. Of their righteousness (24)
3. Of their religion (25-26)„³These two verses are used in Stephen¡¦s sermon in Acts 7:42-43. This was a part of the sermon he preached before he was stoned.
C. The Lord¡¦s Response (27)
1. Judgment would severe
2. Judgment would be sure„³¡¨saith the Lord, whose name is God of hosts.¡¨
