Life beckoned them to primrose paths. It is the good fortune of lovers that their vision never pierces the shadows in which lie the sorrows of the years and the griefs that wear them gray.”
–William MacLeod Raine (A Man Four-Square)
“People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling.”
–Job 12:5 (NLT)
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You cannot live in sinful violence and at the same time expect God to be at peace with you. That’s the simple plain message of Amos 6.
1 — Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!
2 — Go over to Calneh and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory?
3 — Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near. (NKJV)
Amos cries “woe” to the indifferent and the arrogant. God’s Word didn’t mean anything to the people. They were complacent and lackadaisical in attitude carrying a false optimism. The cities named were already under the control of the Assyrians; was Israel any better or stronger than them? Warren Wiersbe states, “False confidence that’s based on expert advice, statistics, and material resources and that ignore the spiritual dimension of life is sure to lead to shameful defeat.”
We see God warning about complacency in Revelation when those of Laodicea were rich and in need of nothing (3:17). Those who are complacent “have lost everything that’s important in the spiritual life.” (Wiersbe) Amos is warning them of being complacent and we read that complacency is something that God doesn’t like. “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency. Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good. Nor will He do evil.” (Zephaniah 1:12, NKJV) “Complacency is an insidious sin, because it’s based on lies, motivated by pride, and leads to trusting something other than God.” (Wiersbe) Amos is warning the leaders who have clouded vision, but they continue to reject his prophecy and continue their abuses.
4 — Who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall;
5 — Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for themselves musical instruments like David;
6 — Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (NKJV)
Can’t you just see the picture that Amos is describing? Banquets, overindulgence, the ease and affluence of the wealthy and leaders. They party-hardy. Lloyd Ogilvies says that “Their senses are dulled by opulence.” They are living it up, living the high-life and enjoying every bit of it, not concerned with the common people, not worried that the Assyrians are coming, not even thinking of obedience to the Word of God. “Leaders grasped for political power but abdicated their responsibility as leaders.” (Ogilvie) People forgot their purpose; they lived for pleasure.
The leaders laughed at the idea of calamity and judgment, even when the Prophet pronounced “woe” upon them. “By their very indifference, they were bringing the day of judgment that much nearer.” (Wiersbe) These men, and women, were decadent, basking in luxury, not caring for anything except their own gratification. Peter Craigie tells us, “Their sense of values was totally out of perspective.” They were people living the “good life”; plenty of drink, good food, lavish surroundings, lounging in wantonness and ignoring the warnings of Amos. The best, only the best.
It would do us well to note the situation, attitudes, and lifestyle of the people to whom Amos spoke. Wiersbe points out, “When nations get pleasure-mad, it’s a sign that the end is near.” Note Paul’s words to Timothy that are a mark of the last days. “For men will be lovers of themselves…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2,4, NKJV) Jesus warned, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34, NKJV)
Wake up! Don’t listen to lies, don’t live in a complacent fantasy world; don’t cling to false theology. Do not become accustomed to the darkness. There is a “Day” coming, be ready. Listen, Gary G. Cohen sums it, “Those that spurn God, often discover that His divine justice prevents Him from moving to help them when their calamity comes.” This is true of a nation or an individual.
——————————
You cannot live in sinful violence and at the same time expect God to be at peace with you. That’s the simple plain message of Amos 6.
1 — Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!
2 — Go over to Calneh and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory?
3 — Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near. (NKJV)
Amos cries “woe” to the indifferent and the arrogant. God’s Word didn’t mean anything to the people. They were complacent and lackadaisical in attitude carrying a false optimism. The cities named were already under the control of the Assyrians; was Israel any better or stronger than them? Warren Wiersbe states, “False confidence that’s based on expert advice, statistics, and material resources and that ignore the spiritual dimension of life is sure to lead to shameful defeat.”
We see God warning about complacency in Revelation when those of Laodicea were rich and in need of nothing (3:17). Those who are complacent “have lost everything that’s important in the spiritual life.” (Wiersbe) Amos is warning them of being complacent and we read that complacency is something that God doesn’t like. “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency. Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good. Nor will He do evil.” (Zephaniah 1:12, NKJV) “Complacency is an insidious sin, because it’s based on lies, motivated by pride, and leads to trusting something other than God.” (Wiersbe) Amos is warning the leaders who have clouded vision, but they continue to reject his prophecy and continue their abuses.
4 — Who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall;
5 — Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for themselves musical instruments like David;
6 — Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (NKJV)
Can’t you just see the picture that Amos is describing? Banquets, overindulgence, the ease and affluence of the wealthy and leaders. They party-hardy. Lloyd Ogilvies says that “Their senses are dulled by opulence.” They are living it up, living the high-life and enjoying every bit of it, not concerned with the common people, not worried that the Assyrians are coming, not even thinking of obedience to the Word of God. “Leaders grasped for political power but abdicated their responsibility as leaders.” (Ogilvie) People forgot their purpose; they lived for pleasure.
The leaders laughed at the idea of calamity and judgment, even when the Prophet pronounced “woe” upon them. “By their very indifference, they were bringing the day of judgment that much nearer.” (Wiersbe) These men, and women, were decadent, basking in luxury, not caring for anything except their own gratification. Peter Craigie tells us, “Their sense of values was totally out of perspective.” They were people living the “good life”; plenty of drink, good food, lavish surroundings, lounging in wantonness and ignoring the warnings of Amos. The best, only the best.
It would do us well to note the situation, attitudes, and lifestyle of the people to whom Amos spoke. Wiersbe points out, “When nations get pleasure-mad, it’s a sign that the end is near.” Note Paul’s words to Timothy that are a mark of the last days. “For men will be lovers of themselves…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2,4, NKJV) Jesus warned, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34, NKJV)
Wake up! Don’t listen to lies, don’t live in a complacent fantasy world; don’t cling to false theology. Do not become accustomed to the darkness. There is a “Day” coming, be ready. Listen, Gary G. Cohen sums it, “Those that spurn God, often discover that His divine justice prevents Him from moving to help them when their calamity comes.” This is true of a nation or an individual.