Jan 15

 Amos 5 - 9

reflections:

As I read through Amos, something dawns on me, the Old Testament books, especially those nearing the end, all have this same sing songish style where the writer writes about how Israel has fallen. Every single one of them only writes about Israel. Got me wondering, as of old, the other nations do not know God? every single prophet only came from Israel, and I remember yes, that God intended for Israel to be a beacon of light swimming in the middle of a sea of ignorance. And this falling of Israel is always a result of them sinning against God. same time, their success and gains are also from the result of following God closely. I reflect on this, and it also got me thinking about the world's narrative... and that is it equates failure to a lack of results from self instead of sinning against God, or the lack of representation of the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit that brings about Christ-likeness, also is the same one that brings about excellence and thoughtfulness, which in turn, brings about success. I pondered on this bit for a while more, as I read though seeing more references to what have came to mind.

" herefore because you trample on[b] the poor

    and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
    but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
    but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions
    and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,

    and turn aside the needy in the gate.

Also then I see the discarding of worship. not by men, but by God. and not because he doesn't want them to stop worshipping, but the worship they present to him is starting to look disgusting. 

“I hate, I despise your feasts,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
    I will not look upon them.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

I am lastly reminded that God does not like it when we claim to accomplish things in our own strength.