Title: Be Careful What You Wish For
Author: Jerry Watts
Text: Amos 5:18-27
Most of us have heard (and used) the phrase, "Be careful what you wish for" because, often times, what we wish for bring with it, 'unintended consequences.' We clearly see these 2 truths in our text. 'Unintended consequences' is another message altogether.
Amos is sent by God to give a message that will ultimately 'set things right.' This is the heartbeat of our Lord, to "set things right." Israel now finds herself under the hand of God's judgment and seems to believe that the way out is the "DAY OF THE LORD."
Many people (Like Israel in Amos) think of the 'Day of the Lord' in Eschatological terms and believe this day is only about restoration and redemption. The idea is "Lord come back and take away the pain." It's a similar notion of the TV commercials from the 70's and 80's, "Calgon, take me away." Truthfully, the Day of the Lord will ULTIMATELY bring peace and more but begins with justice and judgment. Before the peace comes, God sets things right, that is, right according to Him. (READ TEXT)
One thing is obvious here, God is taking Israel to the cleaner because He always desires to 'set things right.' At the same time, Israel is steeped in their own press. Because they are God's chosen people, they believe that 'the Day of the Lord' will 'take them away.'
What I see here are three words that give us three snapshots of God's work.
1) Warning - This first word is "WOE" (and the same word appears again in 6:1) and is a declaration of sorrow or despair, in other words, it is a warning. Interestingly, it offers this warning for 'those who long for the day of the Lord.' Why would you need a warning about the day of the Lord. I suggest that the Israelites 'thought' the day of the Lord would only be their salvation. They thought their position was so elite that no matter what they did, God would only judge their enemies (that they regarded as pagan) and would overlook the ...
Author: Jerry Watts
Text: Amos 5:18-27
Most of us have heard (and used) the phrase, "Be careful what you wish for" because, often times, what we wish for bring with it, 'unintended consequences.' We clearly see these 2 truths in our text. 'Unintended consequences' is another message altogether.
Amos is sent by God to give a message that will ultimately 'set things right.' This is the heartbeat of our Lord, to "set things right." Israel now finds herself under the hand of God's judgment and seems to believe that the way out is the "DAY OF THE LORD."
Many people (Like Israel in Amos) think of the 'Day of the Lord' in Eschatological terms and believe this day is only about restoration and redemption. The idea is "Lord come back and take away the pain." It's a similar notion of the TV commercials from the 70's and 80's, "Calgon, take me away." Truthfully, the Day of the Lord will ULTIMATELY bring peace and more but begins with justice and judgment. Before the peace comes, God sets things right, that is, right according to Him. (READ TEXT)
One thing is obvious here, God is taking Israel to the cleaner because He always desires to 'set things right.' At the same time, Israel is steeped in their own press. Because they are God's chosen people, they believe that 'the Day of the Lord' will 'take them away.'
What I see here are three words that give us three snapshots of God's work.
1) Warning - This first word is "WOE" (and the same word appears again in 6:1) and is a declaration of sorrow or despair, in other words, it is a warning. Interestingly, it offers this warning for 'those who long for the day of the Lord.' Why would you need a warning about the day of the Lord. I suggest that the Israelites 'thought' the day of the Lord would only be their salvation. They thought their position was so elite that no matter what they did, God would only judge their enemies (that they regarded as pagan) and would overlook the ...
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