Amos 6:4-7 - Complacency of materialism
Scripture:
Amos 6:4-7
4 Those who recline on beds of ivory
And sprawl on their couches,
And eat lambs from the flock
And calves from the midst of the stall,
5 Who improvise to the sound of the harp,
And like David have composed songs for themselves,
6 Who drink wine from sacrificial bowls
While they anoint themselves with the finest of oils,
Yet they have not grieved over the ruin of Joseph.
7 Therefore, they will now go into exile at the head of the exiles,
And the sprawlers' banqueting will pass away.
NASU
Thoughts:
Joseph was a godly man. One of the few true heroes of the book of Genesis. However, his descendants did not walk in his ways and they, as part of the northern kingdom of Israel, were judged by God.
Here, God describes their decadence. They sat in luxury with no concern for the spiritual vacuum their nation had become. They ignored the warnings from God, yet this did not change their fate (verse 7).
This picture of luxury and excess reminds me of western nations, today. Much like this ancient kingdom, though at one time they followed God, prosperity has largely turned our nations away from the things of God. Yet our financial resources and possessions are just as worthless in the day of disaster as they were for them.
Prayer:
God, protect me from the idolatry of our culture. Shield me from the love of money, possessions, and comfort. Keep my heart in tune with Yours. May what grieves You, grieve me. May what pleases You, please me, and be enough for me.
And Lord, may an evangelistic wave move across our nations that were once beacons of Your light, now sunken in materialistic mire. May the nations with proud Christian histories revive, and spread Your word once again to a world that needs the freedom from sin and death that can only come from You!
Amen
posted by Steve @ 5:34 PM
