Sunday: Crimes Against Humanity
Read Amos 1 and 2. Why does the Lord warn that punishment is coming?
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
The first two chapters in Amos’ book contain seven prophecies against neighboring nations, followed by a prophecy against Israel. The foreign nations are not judged because they are Israel’s enemies but because of their violations of universal human principles. Two things stand out in Amos’ condemnation: the absence of loyalty and the absence of pity.
For instance, Tyre was a leading merchant city located on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel. Because of its almost impregnable island fortress, the city boasted of its security. Moreover, the leaders of Tyre secured peace treaties with several surrounding nations, such as the Philistines. The city was allied with Israel by a “treaty of brotherhood” during the reigns of David and Solomon (1 Kings 5:1, 12) and even of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:30-31). It is not surprising to read in 1 Kings 9:13 that Hiram, the king of Tyre, called Solomon “my brother.”
Yet, the people of Tyre had violated the “covenant of brothers.” Tyre was not condemned for taking away the captives, but for handing them over to Israel’s enemies, the Edomites. Thus, the people of Tyre were responsible for the cruelties that these captives suffered at the hands of their enemies. From God’s perspective, the person who assists and supports a crime is as guilty as the person who commits it.
Because God is all-sovereign, He holds the destiny of all the world in His hands. He has purposes and concerns that reach far beyond Israel’s borders. The God of Israel is the Lord of all nations; all human history is His concern. He is the Creator God, who gives life to all, and all are accountable to Him.
Who among us does not bristle in pain at the incredible injustice we see? Were there no God, what hope would we have of justice ever being done? What does the promise, found throughout the Bible, of God bringing justice and judgment to the world mean to you? How can we learn to cling to that promise amid all the injustice that we see now?
(0)
I"m thankful to find this available to read and study at home.I also look forward to attending church seeing that fellowship is a large part or our spiritual growth.I'm a member of Grace Temple S.D.A.in Ft. Worth who haven't attended in quite sometime.I used to be over the jail and prison ministry which I know is my calling.I've been exercising this gift from God from my home for going on three yrs.steadily sharing bible studies on simple truths and the adventist message as well.I look forward to joining in fellowship with the church as I know it's the will of God.May we continue to hold one another up through prayer.Bro.Lacy
That's a good work. Keep it up and holdfast to that which is good, don't give up or be dismay and discourage, for you're doing the good work of He (God) who sent you. For He will not leave or forsake you, He will be your guide and your provider and at last will reward you with everlasting life. AMEN
I believe that people who inflict pain on others, they themselves are aint happy, they want to share their pain with other people around them
We must resist criminals. Sometimes the world does not give us an opportunity for doing good but our best is to resist evil and not do evil. When the system is corrupt, to not have a part in evil is to not have part in life of society at all. That is passive persecution.
The Lord reigns in all the nations. He expects His subjects to be kind and just in all our actions as He is just and Holy. Sometimes it is painful to observe the pain others inflict on their fellow human beings. I am glad all this will come to an end one day and the all knowing God will bring every actions and deeds to justice. Let us do to others what we want them to do to us. May the Lord help us to resist evil and help others to do good. God bless us.
I also agree with every point you made! A warning for the world of today.
I see a picture of the sinful character of individuals who turn a blind eye to the sins of others as well as those that practice and per-fect sin.
I also see the image of the leaders of the church using their positions (in the name of the Lord) to abuse others (namely, the rampant sexual abuses against the Catholic people by the very ones that call themselves representatives of God), in their holy clothes - at the altar of their God of lust. perverting others and using the sacraments of communion to pervert the minds of their victims.
I see Pastors leading others out of the obedience of the commandments of God through false teaching; or in the face of confusion - teach the disobedience of God to be obedience, as seen in the absence and out right defiance of the observance of the Sabbath Day by the protestant church as carried over after the separation from the Catholic Monarchy, As all Catholic leaders know: the Pope proclaims the authority to change Gods days, times or laws.
It is with Pity that God warns us of His punishment, when His people stray away from His desire for us. It is with a broken heart that He uses His destructive ability when administering that punishment. The roar of the Lion heard today is the voice of God responding in two ways to the events and character of mankind today. It is the roar heard by her cubs in warning THEM of an impending danger and to stay close and be vigilant. It is also the roar heard by those that are subject to the Kings destructive power. To change THEIR direction, to change their way or suffer death. It is both in courage against evil and in pity for the children in danger that the roar is exhausted and the destruction at hand. Be richly blessed!
You're on point with your comments my brother! May God continue to keep us stead fast in his word so that we can be that light to guide others to safety..blessings
This is a clear reminder that the Lord is in control. He is going to punish people, cities, countries for their crimes, injustice and so forth. In the midst of his punishment we still ask why? Why not? Let us continue to trust the Lord, he is the truer leader, ruler of this beautiful world with some awful people who do awful things. Have a great week everyone!
The Bible admonishes us to shun the very appearance of evil. Any kind of alliance with people, nations or things which are evil is perfect ingredient for disaster. Let's not be fooled no matter how good the intentions are (signing peace treaties, etc) - evil cannot change its colour no matter the form it take. So be not deceived evil associations corrupt good relationships. Be vigilant.
Let us be very careful in our life, the things we do and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that we do because sometimes we find ourselves in wrong doing while we ought or want to do good. We should try to live an examplary life like Father Abraham, Lots, Joseph etc who stand out in the mist of ungodly Nation and who refuses to join the multitude to do wrong, so that the punishments of wrong doing will not befall us.
Most of the things that I see, not just on television but in my community as well are heartbreaking and you say to yourself, " what can I do?" or "I wish there were something I could do to change the way things are." I believe that even with wrong doers, if they turn to God and repent that they too can be saved. Most of the time my thoughts and heart are in a silent prayer because you never know when the crimes that others are committing and have will begin effecting you. I'm grateful to know that God sees all and He knows all and He HAS THE FINAL SAY!! I praise Him because I know that even in this evil world there is some good. There are people who's life work is service to God and not mammon. I pray for those who don't believe that God is coming back with a vengeance to take back what belongs to Him. I pray that they choose to follow Him because He is the ultimate judge and will have the final say one day. We still have time to get it right.
There is a lot to say here. We soon forget the Satan was allowed by Eve to come in this world, a choice God warned her about but allowed her to have. So now we live in a world with a good and caring God and a wicked and sinful Satan's whose intention is to take over God's world and therefore all of its inhabitants by any means possible and if which he know he will fail he will at least have all of those who join him suffer and die in hell with him.
God said that if we believe in him the lord and study about him so that we get to know him and do his will daily by being good Christians all of the suffering we pass through on Earth will not even be a memory and we will live in peace and have all we desire in heaven after Judgment Day.
Satan's job is to cause us to disbelieve in God and his promises so that we can serve Satan and do evil against each other to many times get riches and happiness down here on earth. This is many times accomplished by getting people to believe that it is God who is making us suffer but God has not judged us yet nor does he cause any suffering. Unfortunately we through Adam and Eve are on a journey for Earth's conquered by it's owner God and a thief Satan. We are also on a journey to learn how to make better choices when God grants us them when we get to heaven so that this time Heaven will last for eternity and who doesn't want that. We need to have this chip in us to prevent another Satan and another sinful Earth.
Last week I watched 2 men beating up an old lady i broke down nd cried nd felt helpless. The incident hit me very hard emotionaly and i had to tell the LORD about it. Little did i know that my heavenly FATHER would calm me down, wipe my tears with this week's powerful lesson. The world today needs a saviour more than ever. Thank you LORD for that blessed promise that keeps us hopeful knowing that soon all things will be take a new form.
These lessons is one of Gods many ways to let us know of the worst that’s yet to come even from loved ones and for the best to come through the assurance he’s given us throughout his word, of a better, secured, and blessed tomorrow.
We now see stuff on television, web or hear them on mobile fones. So it seems to be more evil. But evil was here all time. In my Balkan countries some priests in 2 world war even hit little babes on the wall yelling:"In the name of Jesus!" in front of their mothers. Can you imagine that on TV ? 50 years passed by now and life goes on. Only Heavenly books contain all and do have even pictures saved to be presented in the day of judgement.
As Christians, we are to show love, hope and faith to what we have believed and to our brethren. We dont have to sympathize with people in need, but we ought to empathize with them, be in their shoes and in a move to help. Self must die and let the love of Christ dwell in us.
[Moderator note: Please use your first and last name to comment here. Thank you. ]
Thank you Lord for these lessons. When this world is becoming corrupt, unjust and painful to live in, you remind us that you hold the destination of the whole universe in your hands, the day is coming when you shall put the final stamp of justice and oh we shall rejoice forever and ever in your presence. This should bring hope to us as Christians no matter what we are experiencing.