Apostasy

Introduction

A. Those of us who have suffered through older siblings have learned many lessons in life. Among those lessons are: do not eat mud pies no matter how much your older sibling tells you that it tastes just like chocolate. Another lesson is that “you go first” isn’t always a good thing. And a third lesson is any sentence which begins with “let’s go”…usually means you are going to get into trouble. I have a wonderful older brother. He treated me well for the most part as we grew up. He would not allow any one else to harm me, that job was his alone.

B. Older siblings, of course, would say that they too learned a number of lessons from having younger siblings but that is for another lesson. The real lesson is that others can influence us for both good and ill. But the voice that we listen to most matters. That “voice” impacts us. Sometimes that “voice” leads us astray and sometimes it distorts the truth and sometimes that “voice” can create doubt and uncertainty in us. But the “voice” can also lead us to be unfocused. Listening to an older sibling can get you into trouble but it becomes easy to listen to that voice rather than to think for self or to listen to another voice that can help. As we study this morning, we will find that few things have changed. Listening to the voice of God rather than listening to the voices of our culture is difficult. The voice of God leads to life; the voice of the culture begins with “let’s go” and we know it can mean getting into trouble.

The Text

A. In chapter one, Amos begins with a word of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. These words focus on each kingdom forming a circle around Israel. As one author wrote, the loop around Israel is really forming the noose for Israel’s own judgment. An apt description of what is about to be said about Israel. As each nation is held up for judgment and condemnation, Amos turns to Judah. In 2:4–5, Judah, the Southern Kingdom, is held up for judgment. Judah’s sin is different from the previous kingdoms. In their case, the sin that is pointed to is the sin of idolatry. They rejected the laws of God and turned to idols.

B. This would have been a stunning prophesy to Israel. It isn’t so much that Israel sees Judah as a great godly kingdom, but when Judah is brought up it is a judgment against the sibling. Judah is Israel’s closest relative and for the sibling to be condemned does not bode well for Israel. Judah’s judgment also demonstrates that God isn’t going to play favorites. Judah has broken covenant with God. Covenant relationship with God means no favoritism. God holds all accountable.

C. Now Amos turns to Israel. The sins of Israel are more explicitly stated. There is some debate as to the specifics of the sins but little debate about the outcome. The sins of Israel can be summarized in three broad categories.

1. The devaluing of human life.

2. Treating the poor like they are dirt.

3. Sexual immorality. Let's learn from Israel's sins so that we do not do the same things.

Application

A. First, Israel devalued human life. They sold individuals into slavery and if that were not bad enough, they sold them cheaply. Notice verse 6 says that they sold the needy for a pair of sandals. This reflects on Ruth 4:7 in which Boaz used his sandal as a way of signify that a deal was made. A simple process. Israel is condemned for the way human life is so easily transacted with no thought about human value.

1. Life has quickly and is quickly be devalued in our culture. Conceived life can be aborted with no thought of the life which is present.

2. Inadequate wages paid for work resulting in devaluing of the person's effort and thus making life far too difficult.

3. The elderly too often ignored and shelved without understanding the wealth of history and the wisdom for the future that is inside of them.

4. If life is valuable then we must make sure that we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

B. Second, Israel treated the poor like dirt. This is the image of verse 7 and also includes verse 8. We think nothing about walking. We know the ground is below us but we do not regard the ground as anything special. We treat the ground as “dirt.” In our culture the same thing is happening. The poor are overlooked in order for the wealthy to have more. Jail cells brim with the poor. I’m not suggesting that they have committed no crimes but what about the wealthy who commit equally heinous crimes. Commit manslaughter and one can be a senator. Funnel money to your own pockets and as you resign more will be given to you. The wealthy can lose their integrity and still be rewarded. And the poor? Left out in the cold.

C. Third, Israel engaged in sexual immorality. The graphic image of a father and son using the same girl for sexual reasons highlights the seriousness of the sin. Our culture lost its sexual sensibilities a long time ago. Couples living together without marriage is on the rise. Pornography is rampant and easily accessible. Perhaps you read as I did or watched as the Miss USA contest recently had a question in which Miss California spoke against same sex marriage and the audience booed her. Homosexuality is not only accepted as natural but to speak against such means you are narrow-minded. Sexual purity is scoffed at. We have lost our ability to discern right and wrong sexually. And with that lose, the church is fighting an uphill battle. We have lost the moral high ground to the philosophy of tolerance.

D. But there was one more sin which Israel was guilty of. This sin is found in verses 11–12. God sent prophets and Nazarites to the people. Nazarites are chosen for their purity of life and focused dedication to God and Israel took an active stance against them. Israel not only refused to listen to them, but forced them to violate their vows and prohibited their function. Israel was openly rebellious to the will of God. They no longer listened to God’s word.

1. When we hear the word of God we have two options. We can ignore it or we can obey it. What we have done is to exchange the word with philosophy, reason, and feelings.

2. God says life is valuable. But we say "I can't have this baby, it would be too inconvenient or embarrassing."

3. God says treat the poor well, but we say "I have to get what I can while I can get it. After all, it is a dog eat dog world and if I help the poor I will lose out on what I can get."

4. God says to be sexually pure, but we say "I want what pleases me."

E. Truth is found in the word of God. As a people we have quit reading God’s word. We have quit listening and the result we find our truth in our own subjective views. We give our own reasons; think through many philosophies but it all boils down to doing what I want to do. Our world is filled with those who are hurting; whose lives represent many of the sins that God held out to Israel. The purpose of Amos was to call the people to repentance. In 40 years, Israel will be destroyed. But in those 40 years God calls once again for his people to return to him. Our vision statement reminds us that we are interested in calling others to join with us in a spiritual journey. It is to call the sinner to the Great Physician. But in order to do that we must repent as well. Whose voice are you listening to? Invitation.

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