AP

Amos 3:1-2  Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the LORD has spoken against you – against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins. ”

The Prophet Amos (750s BC) describes himself: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’” (7:14-15).  So, as much as the people of the Northern Kingdom did not want to hear the message of judgement the LORD had given him to preach to them – our situation today? – he really had no choice but to obey!

It is good to note that, in the context of the message of his judgement/punishment, is the reminder that they are a very special chosen people to him, a people he has rescued from Egypt by his mighty power.  The implication is that his punishment, which their sins deserved, is bwcause he loved them so much.  The author of Hebrews, quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, reminds God’s Covenant People of every age of the truth of this principle:  “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?  It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’”

Difficult as it is, we all need to keep this aspect of the Lord’s providence in mind when he calls on us to pass through testing waters.  Every year, when the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Program is taking me through Job, I am challenged by Job’s persistent faith in the midst of strange Providence.  I take comfort in a little poem I wrote a few years ago, based on Job 23:8-10 (“But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.  When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.  But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”): ‘My Lord wants to shape me like Jesus, to rid me of all that’s impure; but that will mean time in the furnace with suffering and pain to endure.  I’d like life to be free from trouble, in comfort and peace to grow old, but that would mean staying as rubble, when God wants to change me to gold!’

 – Bruce Christian