Amos 4

WEEK  17                                                 Amos 4

FRIDAY  Reflections

Not all women were victims in Israel. This prophecy begins by calling wicked women the cows of Bashan. This is meant to be derogatory. As the wickedness is going on around them these women want nothing more than to have their desires met, specifically the desire for drink. They also participate in the oppression of others. In this patriarchal society, God isn't letting the women off the hook. They may not be doing the harm the men are but most aren't resisting it, in fact, they are contributing to it.

 

I don't think God is going to accept the excuse, "I wasn't in charge, it's not my fault." 

Amo 4:1-13
(1)  Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
(2)  The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
(3)  And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
(4)  Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
(5)  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
(6)  And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(7)  And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
(8)  So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(9)  I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(10)  I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(11)  I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
(12)  Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
(13)  For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

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Matthew 17

WEEK  17                                            Matthew 17

THURSDAY  Reflections

Matthew 17 begins with what has been referred to as the Transfiguration of Christ. At this moment Jesus is seen in all his true glory with Moses and Elijah. Yet a small side detail captures my attention. Peter knew that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah. 

 

How is that possible? There were no photos, no statues, no real description of him in Jewish history at all. Yet, Peter knows who they are.

 

It could be that he heard them talking a while and after they referred to one another he spoke but that doesn't sound like the Peter we read about. Peter was the jump first ask questions later. Get onto the water and then wonder, "how is this possible."

 

This is Saint Charles’ thought: Peter was getting a look into the spiritual realm into the place where Paul says we will know even as we are known. It was a supernatural transfer of knowledge, which he immediately used for the wrong purpose (how human).

 

People wonder will we know one another in eternity. This incident I believe shows we will.

 

If this is too far out for you then go down to verse 24-27, where Jesus said basically "We aren't going to offer offense even if we could and be right." Consider what this means for you.  

Mat 17:1-27
(1)  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
(2)  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
(3)  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
(4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
(5)  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
(6)  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
(7)  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
(8)  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
(9)  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
(10)  And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
(11)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
(12)  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
(13)  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
(14)  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
(15)  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
(16)  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
(17)  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
(18)  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
(19)  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
(20)  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(21)  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
(22)  And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
(23)  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
(24)  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
(25)  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
(26)  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
(27)  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

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Psalm 87

WEEK 17                                              Psalms 87

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Are you proud of the place of your birth? I can't say I absolutely am. Yes, I am glad to be from the United States. In spite of the flaws (which all places have), the USA is one of the safest and freest places to live. However, I have met several who are proud of their birthplace. I'm from Hershey, the city where chocolate was created. I'm from Chicago, home of ________(there are several things people pick). I'm from Mvezo, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. I'm from Brooklyn, what can I say, it's Brooklyn.

 

This psalm sings the pride of one born in Zion/Jerusalem. Though all of creation is God's, there is a special emphasis on Jerusalem. Even in eternity, there will be a New Jerusalem. Considering this, there might be real pride in being born there. I might add that in one sense, all Christians are born in Jerusalem. It is, after all, the place where our birthright was purchased. So perhaps, Christians around the world will be able to walk the streets of the New Jerusalem one day with the joy that it is the city of their birth. 

Psa 87:1-7
(1)  A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
(2)  The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
(3)  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
(4)  I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
(5)  And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
(6)  The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
(7)  As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

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Amos 3

WEEK  17                                                Amos 3

TUESDAY  Reflections

In Amos 3:2, God is saying because Israel has been so blessed by God, they will now be judged by God. Some may think this is unfair but once you consider the patience of God it is more than fair. The moral in Spiderman is with great power comes great responsibility. Here is the perfect example, Israel had been blessed by God, they saw God’s mighty power and immeasurable blessings, but the majority chose to reject the responsibility which came with the blessings.

 

We might understand someone who steals because they are hungry. When someone has all they need and steal to show they can there isn’t usually a reason to show mercy. We are pleased when an infant craws across the floor but irritated when our fifteen-year-old does. Why? Because they can do so much more.

 

In Luke 12, Jesus said to whom much is given much shall be required and if we won’t use what we have we will lose it.

 

Just as we expect more in a math test for a high schooler than a first-grader, God expects more for those He blesses. God wouldn’t be just if he allowed those who waste God’s blessings to not be held to a higher standard.

 

To those who might think it would be better not to be blessed by God, 1 Peter 4:17-18 gives this warning: “For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Amo 3:1-15
(1)  Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
(2)  You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
(3)  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
(4)  Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
(5)  Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
(6)  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
(7)  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
(8)  The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
(9)  Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
(10)  For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
(11)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
(12)  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
(13)  Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
(14)  That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.

(15)  And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

2 Kings 2

WEEK  17                                            2 Kings 2

MONDAY  Reflections

There was nothing supernatural about Elijah's cloak nor by seeing him go into heaven. The seeing of Elijah going into heaven was evidence of Elisha's faithfulness to the very end. The cloak of Elijah had no power but it represented to Elisha and those he would meet that he had taken on Elijah's role as prophet to Israel. Elisha didn't receive the power of the Spirit because he was in the right place or had the right clothes. He received the power of God because he was faithful to Elijah and God. Too often people want to find a shortcut to getting supernatural power, but in truth, it was not only Elisha's faithfulness at the end but his consistent faithfulness up to this time.

 

God wants consistency and faithfulness in us over the long haul. Yes, God can and does give mercy, but faithfulness has a special reward. Just being at the right place at the right time one time won't give you a double blessing.

2Ki 2:1-25
(1)  And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
(2)  And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
(3)  And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
(4)  And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
(5)  And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
(6)  And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
(7)  And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
(8)  And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
(9)  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
(10)  And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
(11)  And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
(12)  And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
(13)  He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
(14)  And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
(15)  And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
(16)  And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
(17)  And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
(18)  And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
(19)  And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
(20)  And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
(21)  And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
(22)  So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
(23)  And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
(24)  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
(25)  And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.

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