Bible Pathways - Sept. 23, 2007

Amos 6 

In Today's Scripture Reading:

Woe pronounced upon sin; the grasshoppers; fire; plumbline; basket of summer fruit; famine of God's Word

The Edomites had been hostile to the Israelites for centuries from the time Esau (Edom) forfeited his family birthright and was replaced by his brother Jacob (Israel). The prophet Obadiah foretold the eventual triumph of Israel, as well as the complete destruction of Edom: For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. . . . for the Lord hath spoken it (Obadiah 1:10,18).

Esau had moved to Mount Seir where the Edomites, his descendants, felt secure in their mountain fortress. Their self-sufficiency and disinterest in the will of God led them to ignore Obadiah's warning.

The Edomites conspired with Ammon and Moab against Judah and took Israelite captives. They also raided Judah in the days of King Ahaz to take even more captives to be their slaves (II Kings 8:20-22; II Chronicles 28:16-17). When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonian army, some of the Jewish escapees tried to flee out of the land; but, the Edomites took advantage of the fleeing Israelites and blocked roads, robbed them, and delivered the refugees to the Babylonians (Obadiah 1:12-14). Because of their treachery, God foretold that Edom would be utterly destroyed (1:9-10,18).

About four years after the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar's army swept through Ammon, Moab, and Edom. Edomite refugees fled to the western area of their country south of Judea. They then made incursions northward into Judea, taking part of that land. This territory became known as Idumaea, from which later came Herod, the Roman-appointed puppet king who sought to kill the Child Jesus. Eventually, the Edomites disappeared from history, just as Obadiah had earlier foretold. Unlike the prophecy against the Edomites, Obadiah foretold that Judah would recover and one day would again possess their possessions (1:15-17).

The absolute justice of God and our assurance of His faithfulness encourage us to know that the principles of right and wrong never change. Jesus expressed the inevitable spiritual law of God's Kingdom: As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise (Luke 6:31).

Christ Revealed:

As the Plumbline (Amos 7:7-8). A plumb line is an instrument used in measuring an absolutely straight vertical line. Christ alone is qualified to walk in the midst of His people, measuring and exposing good and bad, true and false (Revelation 2 and 3).

Word Studies:

Amos 6:8 excellency =b> pride, arrogance; 6:11 with breaches =b> into ruins; with clefts =b> burst open; 6:13 horns =b> military power (Deuteronomy 33:17; I Kings 22:11); Obadiah 1:12 looked on =b> gloated over; 1:21 saviours =b> deliverers.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Debbi Belisle's birthday • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Country: Jamaica (3 million) in the West Indies • Major languages: English and Creole • Religious freedom • 78% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 7% Afro-American spiritist • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for your friends (Job 42:7-10).

Memory Verse for the Week: Micah 6:8