By Michael Weis
“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).
Moral Decline
The prophet Amos prophesied around 760 B.C., at a time when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was in moral decline. The nation was experiencing great financial prosperity and some political stability, but also spiritual apathy. The Israelites amassed great wealth, most often at the expense of the poor, and they mistakenly believed their prosperity was a sign of God’s blessing.
The truth is, however, that the Israelites had breached their covenant with God. Amos was sent to warn them that God was going to judge them if they did not repent, cease worshipping idols, and stop trying to manipulate Him.
Today’s Correlation
While America is not a covenant nation (only Israel is, and the Church is a covenant people), there are many applications that can be made to Israel, America, and the Church.
America has been blessed has no other country has been. In many ways, America’s blessings have hurt the Church in that our vast blessings cause us to be at ease. We have forgotten Jesus’ words that “to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).
The Church has exchanged the preaching of truth for the tickling of the ear. In essence, there is a famine of God’s Word in this land, just as God had created a famine of His Word in Amos’ days (Amos 8:11). The Church is at ease because we are not challenged by our spiritual leaders.
Thankfully, there are still many faithful men of God who lead churches, equip the saints, and uphold God’s truth and proclaim it faithfully. But sadly, much of their efforts have fallen on deaf ears, as too many congregants want to be entertained or emotionally stimulated rather than intellectually and spiritually revived.
What is the solution?
The only solution for the Church is to repent and return to the proper preaching of God’s Word as well as loving obedience to it. If not, the only response available to God is judgment.
However, you may say, “I thought Jesus took our judgment.” Yes, He did, and all our sins are forgiven in Him, but we forget the warnings of the Old and New Testaments that judgment first begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Only after God shakes us up will He wake us up.
One of my mentors said that “what God does not get from the obedience of His people, He will get through judgment.” This is not arbitrary, nor is it a salvation issue, but a “fruit” issue such as a child being lovingly disciplined by his caring father to get him on the right track. It is not eternal punishment, but temporal.
Change must begin with leaders and filter its way down. This not only and especially applies to spiritual leaders in churches, but also to leaders in the home. This is where men must stand up to be men of God and lovingly lead their families as best as they can, taking the spiritual reins of the home (Ephesians 5:22-29).
Also, Christian businessmen must not deal with clients as the world does, but according to the Word of God. Christians in entertainment or politics must not compromise the truth for money or position, but conduct themselves in accordance with the Bible.
Furthermore, all believers must focus on who God is, and our identity in Christ. We must take God seriously and proclaim His word faithfully.
If we do these things faithfully, we will no longer be at ease because of a famine of God’s Word.
Dr. Michael Weis is a pastor, video operator, editor, and social media manager at Zion’s Hope.
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