Amos
The Restoration of Israel
September 26, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 9:11–15
In the final section of Amos, the prophet gives an incredible word of hope to the Israelites in the throes of judgment. While the nation must still face days of agony ahead—he reminds them that far better days lay ahead for the nation, and that God is faithful to fulfill every single one of His promises. Though the Northern Kingdom shall fall and never rise again, God promises to restore His people once again and reunite them under the banner of Christ.
Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide
August 22, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 9:1–10
Amos now comes to the final word of judgment to be given and it is perhaps the most severe word because the Lord Himself tells the Israelites they have nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide. They cannot avoid judgment. The reason they cannot avoid God's wrath is rather simple. He sees all things, He controls all things, and He reveals all things for what they truly are, which inevitably means they are only fooling themselves. Make no mistake; the same God who judged Israel shall stand as Judge on the Last Day. The same will be said for those who are not in Christ and His penetrating gaze is upon them: you have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
The Sound of Silence
July 25, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 8
Amos now comes to the fourth vision of his prophecy, which reveals that the Northern Kingdom of Israel is ripe for judgment because they are a profane generation. They have not only despised the Word of the Lord, but abused their own people in the most grotesque of ways. Thus, their fortunes shall be reversed and the Lord shall give them silence in return for their rejection of His prophets on the day of their calamity. Yet behind this reality lay a principle that demands the utmost sobriety of any generation: we think trite thoughts about the judgment of God, yet it is no small thing to be trifled with.
The Plumb Line in the Pulpit
June 27, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 7:10–17
In the midst of prophesying, Amos is interrupted by a priest named Amaziah. The two exchange words concerning the visions of judgment Amos has pronounced from the Lord. Unfortunately for the priest, this exchange is a demonstration of God's plumb line in action, where He stands and measures the two against His Word. Amos measures up, but Amaziah falls woefully short and finds himself the recipient of judgment. Thus, the text reveals three non-negotiable qualities of the man of God—yet the question remains for today: shall those behind the pulpit measure up, or shall they go the way of Amaziah?
The Plumb Line in the Church
June 20, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 7:1–9
Amos is caught up in three visions of judgment against the Israelites. The first two visions are of a potential judgment to come, which due to the prayers of the righteous prophet, will not come to pass. In the third vision, Israel is measured against the plumb line, which is the Law of God, and revealed to be utterly crooked. As a result, she must face judgment, and the prophet falls silent before the face of God. Much like in the days of Amos, the church is being measured by the Word of God. The question remains: will she stand the test of scrutiny and measure up to the plumb line?
God Hates The Proud Heart
May 23, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 6
Amos delivers another oracle of judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, indicting them of their prideful hearts, which God hates. Focusing once again on God's sure judgment, the prophet delivers a message to a people who boast confidently in themselves, indulge in the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes, and arrogantly presume their self-sufficiency in all things. In the end, though Israel believes she stands tall, she embodies the proverbial wisdom that "pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall."
Let Justice Roll Down
April 25, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 5:18–27
The prophet Amos delivers yet another oracle of judgment against the Northern Kingdom, turning the facet of God's judgment to reveal three signs of misplaced faith. In each instance, Amos strips back the defenses of a people caught in the throes of deception. Though the Northern Kingdom's judgment is secure and will not be pulled back, yet a glimmer of hope remains for individual repentance. If they are to escape the wrath to come, they must become a people known by their continual abundance of justice and righteousness.
Seek Me That You May Live
March 28, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 5:1–17
The prophet Amos takes up a funeral song to announce the death of Israel. Her lifeless corpse lay unnoticed in the land and there is no one to raise her up again. The nation may be doomed; God may be mourning over her death, but the Lord still grants the possibility for a remnant to be spared if they will turn to Him in genuine repentance and faith. Despite how bleak and hopeless things are for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, God bids them, "Seek Me and live."
Prepare to Meet Your Maker
February 28, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 3—4
Amos delivers yet another death blow to the Israelites as he unfolds the reality of their impending judgment from God. In all of it, the prophet is calling Israel to repentance. The sad reality is that the nation is woefully deceived. They believe they are in God's good graces. They do not see themselves as they truly are. They are stubbornly hypocritical. Yet worst of all, they are completely blindsided by the fact that they will have to stand before their Maker and give an account.
The Lion's Consuming Roar
January 24, 2021 • Grayson Gilbert • Amos 1—2
The shepherd-turned-prophet delivers a harrowing message of God's judgment: a lion's roar goes forth before He seizes His kill—and the message is that this "consuming roar" shall not be turned back. Eight nations will be consumed. One by one, the consuming Lion picks off His prey. His hunger never seems to be satisfied and they are left to watch in horror as He circles closer and closer. First go the enemies of Israel, then the blood-relatives, then Judah, and finally that nation Israel—the one whom the deafening roar was meant for all along.