“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” Amos 6:1 KJV “How terrible it will be for those who have an easy life in Jerusalem, for those who feel safe living on Mount Samaria. You think you are the important people of the best nation in the world; the Israelites come to you for help.” Amos 6:1 NCV
Amos was not a prophet when God called him to speak to Israel for God. The people still called Amos a prophet. Amos was a shepherd, caring of the flocks, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit. He lived in a village which is 12 miles south of Jerusalem. God gave Amos a prophetic burden and ministry for rebellious Israel. God had blessed Israel with many good things, but Israel went deep into corruption. They had sinned against God. Israel believed that their material success proved that they were living under God’s blessing. They felt confident that God’s judgment would never come. Because of this, Israel became very comfortable with lifestyle of riches and successes caused them to drift into worldly things. It led them to forget their God.
God was merciful to sent Amos to Bethel to give a message, “repent or perish” but Amos was kicked out of the city to go somewhere else. God gave different visions to Amos to warn Israel of their coming judgment because they had forgotten God. They took God for granted that He will not punish them because they are His people. Later on, God’s judgment came. After that God spoke of the future restoration of Israel.
This should be a warning to us as a Christian, “Woe to us that are at ease or becoming lukewarm Christians.” What do the lukewarm Christians do? A lukewarm Christian who lost their contact with Christ, lost interest in important prayer life, not filling with the Holy Spirit, not keeping up with studies or devotions with the Lord. Their hearts are not in their God as their Source to meet their needs. Sometimes they feel ‘dead.’
The book of Amos shows us that God still cares enough to send a message of warning to us lukewarm Christians. I pray that we turn to the Lord and ask Him to forgive us and give us the strength to keep us out of lukewarmness. Thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
