God Hates Deceptive Worship - Amos 5-9

Amos 5:21-24 (ESV)

21 “I hate, I despise your feasts,

and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,

I will not accept them;

and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,

I will not look upon them.

23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;

to the melody of your harps I will not listen.

24 But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

As stated in the last post about Amos, it is a turn or burn message from God.   The prophet Amos (a lowly shepherd) is sent by God to correct the political, the religious and the economic and military leaders of the day.  He is to stand up to them and address the sins of Israel.  He is to pronounce the doom being sent onto the people and the land for their constant disobedience.  In the above passage we find the depth of God’s wrath for their disobedience.  You would think the one thing God would enjoy from His people would be their worship.    Yet, in the above passage we read that even the sound of worship has been corrupted.  God does not want to hear their songs or delight in their coming together under the banner of worship.   The reason for this is given in verse 24 of the above passage:

24. But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Their worship, although full of songs of praise, burnt offerings of lambs, and peace offerings of fat animals, were all being lifted up to God from wicked hearts.   If you read the rest of the chapters around the above portion you read of injustice and corruption.  They might be coming together to sing songs of worship but just prior and immediately after they were corrupt and oppressive to their neighbors.   They were drunk with injustice and then came to worship a just God.   This does not work with God.  They had the form of worship but not the heart of worship.  It was the nation’s habit to treat their neighbors with disdain and then show up to worship in song.   God calls them out for this.   God wants our worship to be justice and righteous. We worship Him every minute of the day, not just in a formal context in a church on a Sunday morning.  If we are treating others unjust Monday - Saturday we can’t get dressed up on Sunday and claim to be holy worshippers.  No matter how great the worship band, the multitude of ministries and eloquent the teacher, God demands a heart of worship over a habit of worship.    God hates worship that comes out of a mouth connected to a deceptive heart.   

Don’t Over Eat Good Things - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:16 (ESV)

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

I wish I could make this proverb real in my life.   Don't get me wrong, I have no trouble finding honey ... my wife makes it for me all the time.   I have trouble with the second statement Solomon has listed for us: "Eat only what you need ..."!  The conflict between need and want is like a unmarked country crossroad intersection to me ... something is going to crash sooner or later.  Solomon is waring us that there is nothing wrong with honey (insert any other word here for something good).   When we find it, however, the responsibility to God actually begins.   We are not to indulge to the point that we have consumed in excess and are forced to vomit.   It is so easy in a world full of "good" things to over indulge in them.   Have you found "TV" shows, or a show, “good?” Consume only what you "need."   Have you found any “good” social activities? Indulge in only what you "need."  Have you found something that feels like a great“hug” in your life? Hug only what you “need.”   The temptation to over indulge in good things is so strong that Solomon decided to give us a warning.  The flesh wants what the flesh wants.   We all have to have the Spirit's ministry in our life in order to produce the fruit of self-control.   Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, not of our flesh.   We can't muster self-control.   To avoid over-eating; over-drinking; over-talking; over-indulging; over-relationing; or overdoing of any type of thing, we need the Spirit's ministry through the eyes of faith to assist us.   If not, we will find some way to over-consume and find ourselves vomiting along the road of life.

This proverbs, said another way, might read like this:

"Have you found a cupcake? Eat only what you need (probably none then)

That you not have it in excess and not be able to button your pants."

You could also substitute cupcake for "steak" or, "beer" or, "chocolate."    However, you probably can't make the truth of the verse come alive today if you replace honey with "salad", or, "vegetables" or, "fruit’ or, “selflessness.” From what we know about Solomon, his times were quit prosperous and certainly filled with celebration.  There was little or no war in Solomon's day, so he would have had plenty of opportunity to sit down to a fine banquet with more than just honey.   The feasting for the royal court might have been, and probably was, quite elaborate.   Solomon had plenty of time to over-indulge.  Here he warns himself and others not to do so.   Honey was a very familiar and popular food product of the day.   The food product was not the enemy.  The enemy is the appetite and the craving to over-indulge.   In the garden of Eden, Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit because, according to the Serpent, it promised to deliver something she desired.  So, too, does honey (and the other food, or item, mentioned above).   We must remember that Solomon is writing about wisdom in this book.  He is telling us that those who have wisdom (a reverence FOR and the fear OF the Lord), will know how, why and will have the strength to refuse too much honey (however you define it).  The self-control needed to avoid over-indulgent behavior is not found in will-power, but in God's power.   The Fruit of the Spirit includes self-control.   Wisdom is the ability to revere God, who in-turn equips us via the Spirit to not over-indulge.  Solomon is telling us if we don't allow the Spirit to control the cravings of our body we will end up simply vomiting out what we have consumed.   Like the Garden of Eden, food promises something it can't deliver.   Only God can satisfy the craving and provide self-control of the appetite.

Praise His Works! Psalms 111-113

Psalms 111:7-8 (ESV)

The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy;

they are established forever and ever,

to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

Psalm 111 is full of the word works.  The above verse is the fifth time the writer uses the word.   The writer is trying to tell us that what God does in His works is to be praised.   His works are faithful and just and trustworthy.     God’s works were established forever and ever.    They are performed with faithfulness and uprightness.   This psalm starts with the key phrase of the song, “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.”  Our praise for His work is our greatest goal.   Three reasons we don’t praise God for His works:

1.  We forget them.

2. We take credit for them ourselves. 

3. We tend to complain so much we don’t take time to praise Him.   

Spend the day praising God for His marvelous works.   

Faithfulness Not Fame - 2 Chronicles 1-5

2 Chronicles 4:11 (ESV)

Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of God:

Hiram is not a household name.   Solomon is.   David, Solomon’s father is.   But Hiram is not.   Here is what we learn about him from two other passages:

2 Chronicles 2:3 (ESV)

And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me.

1 Kings 7:13-14 (ESV)

And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

Hiram was a skilled craftsman.   It would be imagined that outside of building this Temple (and, perhaps later, Solomon’s own house), Hiram had a little business on the side.   He was probably sought out by many to do his craft here and there.   When we see a great home built we seldom ask about the builder.   We almost ask, “Who lives there?”  Or, “I wonder what that costs to build?”    We seldom think of the craftsman.   When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness Moses had these two craftsmen:

Exodus 31:1-6 (ESV)

The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

God was able to use these craftsmen to accomplish these great construction projects to honor Himself.   Moses and Solomon will get the fame, but they are not the ones who actually did the work.   A favorite verse of mine is found as Paul closes his letter to the church at Ephesus:   

Ephesians 6:21 (ESV)

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

Tychicus is not a household name.   Yet, he ministered with Paul and was a faithful minister.   Our goal in life is not fame, but rather faithfulness to the call God gives us.  

Opportunistic Preachers - Numbers 21-24

Numbers 24:25 (ESV)

Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.

The story of Balaam is an iconic story for Israel and for us.   Balaam was a prophet.   The king of Moab, Balak, came to Balaam to ask him to curse Israel.   As Israel came out of Egypt, they began to conquer the nations before them.  Balak did not want to be conquered and taken captive by Israel.  So on separate occasions he sent for Balaam to have him curse Israel.   Balaam appears to be a real believer in Yahweh and he seems to be obedient to God.  His heart needed adjusting, to make sure he truly spoke for God, but God eventually allowed him to go with Balak.  But he was not to curse Israel at all.  He was allowed to go with Balak as long as he spoke what God told him to speak.   He did. On four separate occasions He blessed Israel, rather than curse them.   Balak was furious.   The very thing he didn’t want to happen, happened.  Israel was blessed in their conquering Moab.   This is where the above final verse of the section comes in.   The verse says that the two of them parted ways.  It sounds like Balaam has lived as a bright light in front of this unbeliever, Balak.   But what we read later in Scripture tells another story.  Balaam is used as a negative example here:

2 Peter 2:14-16 (ESV)

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Balaam’s real heart is exposed here:

Jude 1:11 (ESV)

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

And Balaam’s behind the scene actions are spoke here:

Revelation 2:14 (ESV)

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

In the subsequent chapters of Numbers we will read that Balak will entice Israel to sin by having them join their nation in sexual pleasures under the guise of worshipping their gods.   Balaam did not curse Israel but he gave counsel to Balak that he could use to lead Israel astray.   Balaam is the perfect example of an opportunistic preacher who was in it for their personal gain.   This is why Paul warned young pastor Timothy as follows:

Titus 1:7 (ESV)

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Leaders for God are not to be in it for personal gain.   Balaam was that guy.   He is exposed throughout Scripture.  God always exposes those who are in Christianity for the wrong reasons.  He sees their hearts and exposes them to others.  

Changed Lives - Titus

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Since the above is taken out of the middle of a paragraph, it might actually be a good idea to read what came before the above passage.   The above passage tells us what we are, now that the righteousness of God came to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.   Paul is telling us that we are washed and regenerated and renewed by the Spirit.   He is saying we are justified by God’s grace and we have the hope of eternal life as a result of this work of the Spirit of God in our lives.  But why is all that even necessary?   Because of what Paul wrote before all that.  Note:

Titus 3:3 (ESV)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

This is quite the epitaph to be said about us.  Paul wants young Timothy to know what he is fighting in this church as their young pastor.  Paul is telling them that if it was not for the ministry of Jesus through the Spirit in our lives we would still be like that.   However, he writes:   But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.   Because God saved us we are no longer looking out for ourselves and living in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  Our changed lives are due to the intervention of Jesus through the work of the Spirit.  We are new and washed and regenerated.   Now we can live out what Jesus has put into us:

Titus 3:1-2 (ESV)

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

This is our new life in Christ by the power of the Spirit.  

We Are They - John 16-18

John 17:6 (ESV)

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Throughout chapter 17 of John we read about people Jesus refers to as they.   This is a little series I put together years ago for my soccer team for our season theme. It emphasizes that we are people important to Jesus as He tells us what them (the disciples, all Christians who follow them, you and me, included).  

We are They series:

#1 - We are THEY because we were His:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  (See also: Romans 14:7-8)

#2 - They have come to know the truth: John 17:7-8

Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. (See also John 16:23-24).

#3- That They may be one:

John 17:20-21

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

#4 - That THEY may have Joy fulfilled: 

John 17:13

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

#5 - That THEY may be kept from the world and the evil one ... to be sanctified:

John 17:15-19

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

#6 - That THEY may be with Christ in Glory:

This is our blessed hope!!!   

John 17:24

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

#7 - That THEY may know the Love of God and show the love of God:

John 17:26

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

What is the Book of Amos About and Why Read it? Amos 1-4

AMOS

(Means: To Carry a Load) - He was a sheep herder and farmer in Judah

Historical Setting
During Jeroboam II (Israel) - 2 Kgs 14
During Uzziah (Judah) - 2 Chr. 26

Prophecy Against
Israel in the North

Time Period
760-750 B.C.

Historical Theme - What did it mean then?
1.  Amos was warning Israel that if they did not repent, certain doom would happen.   This was a "turn or burn" message.
2.  Amos was warning that even though there was "peace and prosperity" the time is still now to repent - Prepare to meet your God (4:12)

Outline of the Book
1. Eight Oracles against Nations (Ch 1-2)
2. Three Messages against Israel (Ch 3-6)
a. Certain judgement on all (ch 3-4)
b.  False worship rebuked (ch 5)
c.  Prosperity judged (ch. 6)
3. Five visions 

Reasons to read it:
1. When you get a promotion and you think your "security" is found in your job and things
2. When you get into "form" worship and you "practice religion" rather than mercy and justice
3. When you are NOT in a repentive mood

Future Theme - What's it mean in future?
1. Coming Day of the Lord - (4:12)  How should we prepare
2. In a future day God will establish David’s throne (9:11-12 c.f. Acts 15:16,17)

Practical Theme - What does it mean for me today?
1.  God can use those from other cultures and cities and peoples to speak to us (1:1)
2.  God will send forth His Word but that doesn't mean people will repent.   Don't judge a ministry by fruit of repentance.   Judge it by the the fact that it stands for God's Word. 
3. God abhors false repentance.  When it comes to repentance and judgement, RANK doesn't have special privileges.  Israel might have been God's children but they still needed to repent.  The "women of Bashan" might have thought they had privilege but they will still be judged. (ch 3-4)
4. God abhors false worship.   He wants "justice and mercy" not "sacrifice and singing" (ch 5)
5. God abhors false security.   He wants us to trust Him not the things we possess or accumulate.

Many Voices Create Surer Victory - Proverbs 23-24

Proverbs 24:5-6 (ESV Strong's)

A wise man is full of strength,

and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom brings many benefits to our lives.   In the above proverbs we see that wisdom aides us in our battles.  We see that by wisdom and understanding (synonymous terms in Proverbs) we gain both strength and guidance.   Many go to war on their own strength and in their own wisdom.  But, when we fear God He gives us wisdom that enables us to be strong and wise in our battle.  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.   When we have God’s wisdom we know how important it is to seek out wisdom from others.  We don’t rely on our own instincts and counsel.  That is the difference between those who Fear the Lord and those who don’t.   God speaks to us through the words of others He has given counsel to for us. We do wise to ask them and to hear them.   The benefits of wisdom is  to get counsel on what to do and to have the wisdom and the strength God provides to also carry it out.   Wisdom is the source of knowledge and the source of strength, according to this proverbs.  That is some powerful combination.

Imprecatory Prayer - Psalms 108-110

Would you pray this over anyone? 

Psalms 109:6-15 (ESV)

6 Appoint a wicked man against him;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;

let his prayer be counted as sin!

8 May his days be few;

may another take his office!

9 May his children be fatherless

and his wife a widow!

10 May his children wander about and beg,

seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!

11 May the creditor seize all that he has;

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!

12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him,

nor any to pity his fatherless children!

13 May his posterity be cut off;

may his name be blotted out in the second generation!

14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!

15 Let them be before the LORD continually,

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

There is some dispute about the above text.  The struggle is about who is saying it.  Is this David (Psalms 109 was written by him) praying this over his enemies? Or, is this the enemy saying it to David and David is just quoting the person in his prayer?   There is some evidence that David is quoting here and not actually asking for these things to happen to his enemies.   After all, in verses 12-14 there is a request for the person to not receive forgiveness from God. That seems out of character for the rest of Scripture if this is David praying it over his enemies.   However, if you read the other verses it certainly seems from the context that David is indeed praying this.   Theologically we would love this to just be a quote from someone else toward David rather than the reverse of that, making it an imprecatory prayer.  An imprecatory prayer is a prayer to call down judgment on one’s enemies.   These are not unheard of in the Bible. A quick internet search will give you this: 

 

Psalms 5, 6, 11, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 79, 83, 94, 137, 139 and 143 are also considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."   

Within an imprecatory prayer we have the struggle of the person praying as they give his/her hurt to God, while asking God to be the judge over such matters.   They are not taking matters into their own hands, but rather trusting it all to God.   We are instructed to love our enemies and to do good to those who hurt us.  An imprecatory prayer does not seem to fit that calling, if it were the action of the person.  Perhaps what we read in these type of prayers is the honest heart of a hurting believer who gives it all to God.   Our prayer lives out to be giving to God what we feel but trusting Him to change our actions.  The prophet Habakkuk’s entire prophecy is a prayer to God as he pours out his contempt on those who would injure and inflict pain on Israel.   He could not understand why God would use a wicked nation to judge the wickedness of his nation.  His entire prophecy is a prayer to God to straighten this out.  He ends the book with the resolve that no matter what, he still trusts God (Habakkuk 3:17-19).  It was an entire imprecatory prayer conversation with God.   But in the end the prophet’s heart is changed.   It might be wise to know this type of prayer is possible, but also pray to God that He would make the final judgment in our request.  It might be wise to read how David ends this prayer, imprecatory or not:

Psalms 109:30-31 (ESV)

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,

to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

David wants God to be the judge and not him.  He might pray it in his heart but he wants God to work it out in real time.