Flight shall elude the swift, and the strong shall not retain strength; The warrior shall not save his life, Amos 2:14 NABRE
Amos is a prophet of the Lord around seven-hundred-fifty-eight BCE. He speaks out against the injustice of nations committing crimes of cruelty in conquest, reducing people to slavery, ruthlessness toward other nations, violence against women and more. He speaks about sentences which will be handed down from the Lord for these transgressions and that those holding public office should administer justice with integrity and wisdom. In the chapter with the quoted verse Amos speaks out against Israel and its injustice towards the poor (righteous,) the needy, incest and idolatry as well as abhorrent forms of worship. Israel commits these transgressions forgetting how God has been so good to them, freeing them from Egypt, giving them the promised land, and providing prophets as guides, they remain too proud and ungrateful. God will see them punished and none will be able to escape or resist. The people trust in their own strength and do not rely on the mercy of God. It reads a little like the words of Paul, “For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside.’” 1 Corinthians 1:19) No matter what the people do to save themselves it will not work, they cannot out run it, have the strength to defeat it, the horses to escape it, all will flee naked on the day of punishment.
We cannot be made sacred by battling for ourselves, using our strength or riches. Not seeking the best for all we move us towards doom. Today we are more narcissistic and self-absorb than ever. We must use our gifts to lift others. Turning in on ourselves we are not seeking the kingdom of God and we will not save our life.
Do you rely on your own safety and security? Are you able to help others?
Today we are more narcissistic and self-absorb than ever. We must use our gifts to lift others. Turning in on ourselves we are not seeking the kingdom of God and we will not save our life. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #flee #mercy #Amos #everybodyalways#god#jesuschrist#jesussaves#godisgood#dailydevotion#biblestudy#scripture#bibleverse#verseoftheday#cross#last#gospels#loveeachother#godisgreat#thisVineyard#youversion#everythingalways