Readings for the week of 6/21-6/27/2009
Amos 1-9                                 Isa.1-5

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Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth!

For the Lord has spoken;

“I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.”

(Isa. 1:2-4)

After Hosea, God calls a lowly shepherd from Tekoa, to prophesy against several nations, but principally against Israel. Amos comes to Israel at a time when Jeroboam’s great military successes have brought unparalleled prosperity, and with it selfishness, greed, and immorality. He concentrates on rebuking both Israel and Judah for the meaninglessness of their worship, whatever its form. He calls for consistency in one’s religious exercises and daily ethical conduct, and cries out against a people who honor deity with their many sacrifices yet refuse justice and mercy to the oppressed and needy.

Amos’ message comes first in the form of 8 “burdens” against various nations; three sermons of judgment then follow, and an oracle containing five visions: of locusts, fire, a plumb line, ripe fruit, and the altar. Amos ends his writing with a message of hope and promise of restoration.

Since at least 767 B.C., King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, has reigned over Judah with great success. But his son Jotham is not the religious man needed by this materialistic, immoral, unjust, and complacent people.

During Uzziah’s reign, and in the year immediately following his death, perhaps the greatest evangelistic prophet ever known To God’s people begins an active ministry which will last some 40 years. Isaiah will do for Judah what Joel, Hosea, and Amos have done for Israel: he will tell the people about God’s judgment against religious formalism, idolatry, oppression, immorality, and pride, and also warn them of the captivity they are about to face. Throughout his prophecies Isaiah repeatedly refers to the final day of the Lord, when all people will face judgment like that being brought against Israel and Judah. The imagery is exciting and visionary. Isaiah also looks forward to the coming of the Messiah and Savior, who will redeem all mankind from their sins. For this reason, much of what Isaiah has to say will be as meaningful to future generations as it is to those who live in Judah at this time.

Isaiah’s message begins with a condemnation of Judah’s many sins. He insists that Judah’s sins will bring severe punishment, from which neither Judah’s idols nor its leaders can save the people. He challenges the people to come to their senses before it is too late, and to look forward to the last days, when there will be a spiritual renewal and everlasting peace.

Source: The Daily Bible in Chronological Order-365 Daily Readings, NIV, Harvest Publishers, 1984.