Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 6:8-14.
The...
Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 6:8-14.
The economic and political prosperity that Israel enjoyed in the first half of the 8th century BC had filled them with pride. They believed that they had attained to such heights on their own, apart from the LORD. They were sorely mistaken. Swearing by His own name as a guarantee of absolute certainty, the LORD declares that He hates such pride. This is the same sin against the 1st Commandment committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden, by their forefather Jacob, by Jeroboam son of Nebat, and by each and every sinner. With strikingly grim imagery, Amos declares that such pride does not lead to life; it only leads to death. This will be true for all, whether rich or poor, who have fallen away from faith in the LORD. Their prideful perversion of justice and righteousness is utter foolishness. The LORD mocks such pride and declares its end: judgment. At that time, calling upon the name of the LORD will be of no avail. That is why the prophet preaches now, so that the people might repent before it is too late. This is what Amos would have us do as well. Today is the day of salvation when we must call upon the name of the LORD, not in pride, but in humility and confession. In such repentance and faith, we who call upon the name of the LORD now will be saved.
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