Prayer: Father, may I loathe and despise what You loathe and despise. I want to embrace Your feelings about arrogance which separates me from You. Amen.
Reading: Amos 6 key: vs. 1 & 8 “Oy ! You who are at ease in Zion, trusting in Samaria’s hill! Distinguished ones of the foremost of nations— to whom the house of Israel comes.” & “My Lord Adonai has sworn by Himself —declares Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot— “I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, I despise his palaces, so I will shut down the city and everything in it.” TLV
Attention: Chapter 6 needs background context. The city and region of Samaria was situated between Judah and Israel. Here is what the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary says about Samaria, “Samaria is the only major city founded by Israel, the Northern Kingdom. Omri, the sixth king of Israel (885-874 B.B), purchased the hill of Samaria for his royal residence. Shechem had been the capital of the Northern Kingdom until Jeroboam relocated at Tirzah. When Ahab, Omri’s son, became king of Israel, he built an Ivory palace at Samaria. Amos denounced him for doing this (Amos 6:1,4; 1 Kings 22:39). Jezebel influenced Ahab, her husband, to make the city the center for Baal worship (1 Kings 16:29-33). Jezebel also had many prophets of Yahweh killed in Samaria (1 Kings 18:2-4).”
Now we understand why Adonai was so offended. To show their independence from Jerusalem and the Temple built by Solomon, Israel’s king built Samaria as the center for Baal worship. They were leading God’s people away from the worship of Adonai. The king did not want the people of Samaria or northern Israel, traveling to Jerusalem to worship Adonai. Would that not be offensive to you if you were God? He has made a covenant with the Hebrew people through Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and David to be their God. They were to worship Him only. He has been their protector, provider, and deliverer, and yet they wanted a king and now it is a king who is leading them away from God.
Amos is the chosen instrument to deliver this message to Samaria and Ahab. Jezebel has had other prophets killed and fed the false prophets of Baal at their table.
To which deity do our national and state leaders subscribe? We would do better to not listen to the rhetoric and observe their actions and behavior. When we are instructed to recognize all faiths, we are being instructed to recognize a level of legitimacy regarding their deity. I wonder if that offends God.
I have felt for several years that America, and the nations are ripe for an Elijah event. It would be prudent to resolve in your heart who you would stand with if that event precipitated in our day and time.
Action: I choose to embrace Adonai, the Supreme Sovereign of the universe.
Yield: I choose to submit to Adonai the Supreme.
Engage: I choose to engage with Adonai as the Supreme Sovereign.
Relationship: I choose to engage in a holy, intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, You are God. You are Supreme. You are Sovereign over all nations and my heart. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 104:19 “Adonai has set up His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.” TLV
Music Video: All Sons & Daughters—Great Are You Lord https://youtu.be/vQLMnPYoR9k?si=A0B6A6DwNBxMNSNT
Remember: “Abide in Yeshua, today!”