–D.C. Adkisson  (Mal de Ojo)

       “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

                    –Psalm 34:14 (NKJV)
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               “For it is an evil time.”

Hear the word of the Lord, in this case the Prophet Amos.  He speaks at the gate–the location of the city court, where justice was to be upheld.  H.A. Ironside gives a good indication at what took place.
               “It is a most common thing to find those walking carelessly, or sinfully, filled with indignation against any who faithfully rebuke their unholy ways.  Easy-going,   man-pleasing preachers and teachers are delighted in, but faithful, God-fearing men are abhorred and despised.  But he who would stand for God must expect the  opposition and evil-speaking of the unspiritual and worldly-minded.  Knowing that he would be hated for rebuking in the gate, Amos nevertheless proclaims his  solemn message without excuse or hesitation.”
You’ve experienced it, you know it to be true.  The faithful person condemns those who practice unrighteousness by their very lifestyle.

          5.10 — They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.
          5.11 — Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them.
          5.12 — For I know your manifest transgressions and your mighty sins:  afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
          5.13 — Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time.   (NKJV)

     People hate the truth but will practice their evil ways in abandon.  Amos prophesies that they will not live long enough to enjoy their evil and selfish gain.  Warren Wiersbe says that they are, “Fattening their hearts for the day of slaughter.”  We see James giving out the same warning (James 5:1-6) and we are reminded of the word of God to Moses, “…you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes.” (Deuteronomy 28:30, NKJV)  God is reminding and warning the people through the prophet.  “Wait a minute, just look at how blessed we are.  God must be pleased with us,” so think the people, but oh no–proof of God being with us is not extravagance and blessing, but doing His will.  “Religion without righteousness and justice in the land is hypocrisy.” (Wiersbe)  
     This is a dangerous time.  The prophet is warning the people of coming judgment.  Perhaps we should heed his words as well.  Is there injustice in the courts, are the people being exploited, are they being man-handled and put down?  Hmm, when the hour comes it would do us good to think on the words of Albert Garner, “the spiritually wise person will keep silent, have discipline and self-control, when that hour of just judgment falls upon the nation.”  Now is the time to act, the time to speak out, not when the hand of God strikes.

          5.14 — Seek good and not evil, that you may live; so the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken.
          5.15 — Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate.  It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.  (NKJV)
 
     There may be hope.  But are the people too far gone?  Will they even consider the words of Amos?  The people of God seem to not want to have anything to do with God and seek to escape Him.  Remember, this is a funeral oration that Amos is giving.  Note that there is little encouragement.  There is nothing good to be said, but he speaks only of the negative and the unrighteous actions and attitudes of the people.  Their lifestyle will bring about the nation’s death. (Ogilvie)  However, there is some hope and remnant is spoken of.
     The people are told of the danger.  Paul writes in Romans, “Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.” (12:9, NKJV)  We read in Psalm 97:10, “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (NKJV)  Verse 15, tells us the solution and the possible hope:  1) hate evil; 2) love good; 3) establish justice in the gate.  Guard against those who pronounce evil as good and good as evil for this is a sure way to bring judgment.  “We must love good principles, and adhere to them, love to do good, and abound in it; love good people, and good converse, and good duties; and, whatever good we do, we must do it from a principle of love; do it of choice and with delight.” (Matthew Henry)

       “…Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and Death.”
                    –Revelation 1:17-18(NKJV)
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     This Psalm is a messianic psalm which we see in the second portion of Psalm 132.  The throne of David, the power of David–Jesus is the one who will sit on that throne and all power is His.

          10 — For Your servant David’s sake, do not turn away the face of Your anointed.
          11 — The LORD has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it:  “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
          12 — If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I shall teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”
          13 — For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
          14 — “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
          15 — I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
          16 — I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
          17 — There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
          18 — His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”  (NKJV)

David, that sinner, that murderer, that adulterer…but look, “for Your servant David’s sake.”  George Knight says, “The psalm is saying…that the hope of Israel rested, not on any particular pious acts of the sinner, King David, but on the…promise of God.”  It is important, that despite the acts of David that he had a heart that yearned for God.  God looks beyond David though to a greater King that is coming.  God remembers His promise to David which will be fulfilled by Jesus Christ.  Do you not see then, why Christmas is so important?  We are also remembering the promise of God to David.  The throne will be forevermore secure.
     As we look ahead, with the words of this psalm, we are reminded that God will not only place His Son on the throne, but that He will provide for His people.  Not the Jews only, but all who are a part of the kingdom of God, all who will truly celebrate the birth of the eternal King this December.  His people will be blessed, they will be fed, they will be clothed, they will be nourished as Jesus sits on the throne.  Great joy should be ours for this promise, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King…” (Isaac Watts)
     Yes, celebrate the birth of the King of Glory as He came to earth, but also remember the promises of God concerning the King.  He came once to redeem mankind; He is coming again to take His chosen ones home to glory; home to the place He has prepared for them.  “He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove…” (Watts)  In this season and throughout life, be faithful and obedient until He comes.
 
          “Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne;
          Hark!  how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own;
          Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
          And hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.”
                   –Matthew Bridges