Prayers from Amos

Amos 1:9-15

This is what the Lord says:

“For three sins of Tyre,
    even for four, I will not relent.
Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom,
    disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,
¹⁰ I will send fire on the walls of Tyre
    that will consume her fortresses.”

¹¹ This is what the Lord says:

“For three sins of Edom,
    even for four, I will not relent.
Because he pursued his brother with a sword
    and slaughtered the women of the land,
because his anger raged continually
    and his fury flamed unchecked,
¹² I will send fire on Teman
    that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.”

¹³ This is what the Lord says:

“For three sins of Ammon,
    even for four, I will not relent.
Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead
    in order to extend his borders,
¹⁴ I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah
    that will consume her fortresses
amid war cries on the day of battle,
    amid violent winds on a stormy day.
¹⁵ Her king^[a] will go into exile,
    he and his officials together,”
says the Lord.

The theme of yesterday continues. There is not a single enemy of the Jews God forgets, ignores, or sweeps under the carpet.   All wrongs are seen. God’s wrath will be shown to all. His wrath is not reactive which ours so often is. His is slow to respond for good reason. His love and mercy are great, He longs for repentant hearts. He does not ask for perfect hearts but humble repentant ones that trust His sovereignty. History shows the downfall, destruction of these places over the following years. Rulers come and go; powerful nations come and go. As with yesterday don’t read over it thinking it is not applicable directly to us. Let God’s Holy Spirit lead us to repentance, to thankfulness that God is slow to anger and grow in us humility and a love of mercy. That we may do the works God has called us to and let God do what is only right that He does; vengeance.

Because we are image bearers of God we have in us a desire to see justice, to have wrongs put right. What we as God’s children need to do is remember that He is active and present and sees all. Part of partnering with Him in the gospel is seeing justice extended but partnership does not mean we do exactly the same as Him. We each have good works to do which He has prepared but He also has work that He alone does. We do not need to be God; we need to be His partners in His work.

Father whose name covers the earth, who reaches the highest highs and darkest depths. May our hearts and lips be quicker to praise You rather than seek revenge. As we seek You first, may our hearts and minds understand what it means for us to be co-workers with you and to be ready to respond with mercy and justice in the places You call us to be even if it is simply within our own heart and body, or own four walls. In Jesus name we pray.