During the lifetime of Amos, Israel was reveling in heady clouds of national optimism. With nearby military enemies subdued and Assyria not yet considered any sort of threat, the likelihood that “their most courageous men of might . . . would flee naked “ seemed absurd.

Some may view the warnings of God in a negative light. But even the “negative” side of the prophecies are given to bless. This reveals the conditional aspect of many prophecies, allowing the dear soul who hears and heeds to avoid being a part of the problem.

The fact that Christians disagree with each other on certain points of doctrine should boost our interest in discovering what He actually says in His written word. It is a cop-out to jump to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter to Him, and it is lazy to accept what someone else has told you without checking.

The similarity between the condition of God’s people in Amos’s day and our day is striking! The solution begins by recognizing the need for repentance — such recognition is a gift — and then following through with a U-turn.

The idea that someone of humble means could reveal the glories and judgements of God should not surprise the student of God’s Word. It should inspire each of us to recognize His awesome power at work among normal, everyday people.

The only two institutions established by the LORD before sin were marriage and the seventh-day Sabbath. These institutions were intended as marvelous blessings, but of course require our active attention and participation. Jesus made it clear that marriage would not continue. He also demonstrated that the Sabbath will indeed carry forward throughout eternity, just as Isaiah prophesied.