Topic: Punishment for the Ungodly [Monday April 18, 2016]
Text: Amos 1:9-15
Key Verse: “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever” (Amos 1:11).
From our text, God pronounced judgment upon nations who manifested hatred and fought against Israel. Amos prophesied God’s punishment that would befall Tyre for breaking its brotherly covenant of mutual respect and honour that it had with Israel.
Tyre, during the time of David and Solomon, had good relationship with Israel. In spite of their long record of friendship, Tyre delivered the Hebrew slaves to their bitterest enemies, the Edomites. God frowned at it and decided to punish Tyre. Amos equally prophesied against Edomites, the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, for their perpetual hatred towards Israel. For the Ammonites, the descendants of Lot, God also said He would also punish them for their cruelty toward the Israelites. From the accounts of our text, it is evident that sin has its rewards, negative consequences. Yet, people live a care-free life, undermining God. Husband and wife forget their marital vow, employing divorce instead of embracing peace to settle their differences.
They forget that God “hateth putting away” (Malachi 2:16). In business, partners defraud each other without regards to their business covenant. Even in the church, so-called brethren manifest hatred, malice and unforgiving spirit, and cruelty against each other, ignoring Jesus’ admonition to “Love your enemies. . . do good to them that hate you. . . “(Matthew 5:44). The punishment meted on Tyre, Edom and Ammon shows that God’s judgment is awaiting every sinner. The only way of escape is repentance from sin.
Thought for the day: Punishment is fitting justice for the impenitent.
Bible Reading in one Year: Acts 24-25
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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