Amos - The God Of Justice - Preach The Word

THE GOD OF JUSTICE
David Legge
the way God sees them to be in our land, in the church, in our homes, in our families,
in our own individual lives? Will we observe things the way they seem to be, or will we
listen to God? You see, all might appear to be well, but the great issue is: how does
God see it? Amos, whose name we saw means 'burdened', he was burdened because
he did not unquestioningly accept the popular opinion on the status quo of the
conditions that prevailed economically, politically, and religiously - but his ear was
toward God, and because of that he was troubled with the very burden of God.
So his first message is what we're going to look at tonight in chapter 3, and effectively
it is a justification from the prophet of why he is preaching judgement upon the
people of God. You see, Israel were protesting, they were saying something like this:
'How can our God, our covenant God Jehovah, send judgement upon us? We are His
chosen people!'. Of course, we know from Deuteronomy chapter 7 that that is the
case, God very tenderly says to them there: 'The LORD did not set His love on you nor
choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were
the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep
the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty
hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king
of Egypt'. But you see, though they were chosen by God, that was the very reason
why God was judging them. They protested: 'We're Your elect people!', and God is
saying to them, 'Well, that's why I'm judging you'.
So the first point, if you like, of this sermon of his, or his charge to them, in a
justification of why he is preaching judgement, is this: 'I am preaching judgement to
you because of your election'. 'You are God's people', in verses 1 and 2 he says that,
'I brought you up out of the land of Egypt', verse 2, 'You only have I known of all the
families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities'. You see, the
Lord had delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, and called them to be a special
people, a holy people, a witness to the nations roundabout, and that was the very
reason for their judgement - not an excuse to get out of it. Can I say that the same
applies to the church of Jesus Christ today? Now, of course there is a great debate on
election, and I'll not ask you to put your hand up if you're a Calvinist - but they
usually shoot their hands up anyway! - or if you're an Arminian... and you're
wondering 'Well, what are you?'. Well, I've probably been both, and sometimes at the
same time - that'll really confuse you tonight! I have my beliefs about these great
doctrines as they are, because they're biblical doctrines in the word of God, but most
of the discussion that goes on about election and predestination is absolutely
profitless. They are precious doctrines, but a lot of the debate causes more hot air and
heat than light. But whatever your views on these great doctrines, I think I'm safe in
saying that all camps are in agreement that biblical election always has a purpose in
view. However God's people are elected, it's always with a purpose. Israel was elected
by God to be the national witness to Jehovah to all the Gentile nations roundabout,
and in the same way the church has been elected in Christ to be, as Jesus says, the
light of the world - Matthew chapter 5: 'You are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but
on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven'.
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