We are all shepherds of the Lord. Amos 9.1
Amos 9 (1)
Pray Psalm 37.1-3.
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Sing Psalm 37.1-3.
(Neumark: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee)
Let not the wicked make you worry; envy not those who break God’s Word.
Like dying grass will they be sorry, and fade like every dying herb.
Trust in the Lord and do His will; dwell in His grace, be faithful still.
Read and meditate on Amos 9.1.
Preparation
1. What did God show Amos?
2. How did God interpret this to Amos?
Meditation
Here, I believe the prophet is deliberately vague. It seems to me that he intends to indict and condemn all the shepherds of “Israel”, that is, all the false priests, idolatrous kings, and wicked judges of Israel and Judah.
We recall that twice now the prophet has pronounced judgment on Judah (2.4, 5; 6.1ff). Though his primary message was against the northern kingdom, he knew the southern kingdom was also infected with idolatry and rebellion against God, and he wanted the people there to hear his message.
The reference to an altar and doorposts might suggest not only the worship sites at Dan and Bethel but also the temple in Jerusalem. We are especially inclined to think that Jerusalem was the primary focus because only one altar is referenced, and God would not likely have appeared by the altar at Dan or Bethel. But the association is clear: All the places where God was “worshiped” would be shaken to pieces.
But the altar and doorposts were not the primary target. It was those who worked there—priests—and those who, with them, shepherded the people of Israel. God promised to “break them [the doorposts] on the heads of them all”, just as He had done with the pagans who gathered to mock His servant, Samson (Judges 16).
God lays the blame for Israel’s—and ultimately, Judah’s—plight on those who oversaw their religious lives. That would include the priests, kings, and judges—the shepherds of Israel (cf. Ezek. 34.1-10). Their judgment would be bitter and final. None of them would escape the wrath of God. Though they would cling to their false religion to the end, God would bring their idolatrous faith down on them like a house of stone.
We are all shepherds of one another in Jesus’ flock. We look only to Him, our Good Shepherd, that we may be built up and built together in His great salvation.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
His great salvation brings us to live in His Kingdom.
His Kingdom is what we are to seek above all things (Matt. 6.33).
The people of Amos’ day would flee; but wouldn’t get away.
The people who thought they had escaped the wrath of God would not be delivered.
Contrast that with Jesus’ words of guidance and instruction to His disciples as He sent them out on Kingdom missions: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matt. 10.22, 23). One would assume successfully.
Even if the fleeing and escaping was not successful on earth; God saw them, God cared about them, and God was pleased with their work. They did not fear man; only God (Matt. 10. 28-31).
That’s the difference between suffering for Jesus’ sake; and in suffering for our sinfulness.
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Pet. 5.10, 11).
So, we seek the Kingdom.
We strive to be active participants in Kingdom work.
Where else would we go?
Where else would we serve?
The words of eternal life are housed in that Kingdom within its King (Jn. 6.68, 69).
“The Kingdom of God is the rule of God over all things, by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for and through His people, in the power of His Word and Sprit, unto righteousness, peace, and joy.
The Kingdom of God was the focus of every aspect of Jesus’ ministry,
because He came to bring near the Kingdom of God and light
and to supplant, replace, and destroy the bankrupt kingdom of darkness and the devil.
And He unloosed that Kingdom on earth on the first Christian Pentecost
by the powerful gift of His own Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom of God is real. And it is real now.”
(ReVision, September 23, 2024)
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28.1).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (1 Tim. 1.7).
Those who seek first the Kingdom flee only in one direction—into the arms of our loving Savior (Deut. 33.27).
“Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me” (Ps. 143.9 KJV).
In Your Kingdom (Matt. 6.13). Where, oh where, would I rather be?
Reflection
1. Peter described all who believe as a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2.9). How does this obligate us?
2. What can keep us from seeking and advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ? How can we overcome these obstacles?
3. How does setting our mind on Jesus (Col. 3.1-3) help us in our Kingdom calling?
he speaks not here of the profane temples which Jeroboam the first had built in Dan and in Bethel, but of the true and lawful temple; for it would not have been befitting that this vision should have been made to the Prophet in one of those profane temples, from which, we know, God was far away. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Amos 9.1
Pray Psalm 37.4-9, 34-40.
Rejoice in the salvation God has given you in Jesus. Commit yourself to follow Him and to be a light to everyone in your Personal Mission Field. Rest in the Lord for the strength you will need.
Sing Psalm 37.4-9, 34-40.
(Neumark: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee)
Delight yourself in God’s salvation; He’ll give you all your heart’s desire.
Commit to Him your every station, and His good purpose will transpire.
Your righteousness a blazing light He will bring forth against the night.
Rest in the LORD and wait on Jesus; fret not at those who practice sin.
Forsake all wrath till anger ceases; let anxious fears not enter in.
The wicked perish from the LORD, but they are blessed who heed His Word!
Wait on the LORD, His way observing, and He will lift you up on high.
Those prone to wicked ways preserving, your eyes shall see cast down to die.
The blameless man shall stand upright, for God preserves him by His might!
Salvation comes from Christ our Savior; He is our strength in time of need.
On us does He bestow His favor, who all His holy judgments heed.
He is our help in troubled times; our refuge He, in Him we hide.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
