GOD SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE

PART 10

Before we start this teaching, let me reaffirm where all Scriptures  come from –

Paul answers this question very clearly:

2 Tim 3:16-17 ( Message translation)

“ All Scripture comes directly from God.

We can learn a great deal from it.

It helps us identify where people go astray and to guide them back on track.

From the Scriptures, we can also show people how God wants them to live.

17: In this way, someone who belongs to God will know what God expects of him and will thus be ready to work properly for God.”

Today’s teaching is about the revelations Amos and Obadiah received directly from God: how is that relevant to us in today’s world?

Amos was not your ordinary prophet – he did not study at any institution or hold a leadership position; he was just a cattle farmer. Yet God used him and sent him from JUDAH, where he lived, to ISRAEL. God was not at all pleased that the people’s rights were being disregarded and that the leaders were living in luxury at the expense of others – sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It still happens today!

Judgment is announced on all the nations around Israel and on Israel itself, but let’s focus on ISRAEL:

At that time, around 760 BC, Israel was experiencing economic prosperity. However, much of this prosperity was built on the exploitation and wronging of people.

Amos’ message, which he received from God, is that He is going to punish these prominent people in Israel. The punishment comes because they looked down on people.

This means that people in positions of power must act rightly – we cannot benefit ourselves at the expense of others. We are then not living up to the responsibilities to which God has called us.

Amos 4:11

“Thus says the Lord of Israel: Seek my will, and you will live. …

Verse 6: Seek the will of the Lord, and you will live! If you do not do this, the Lord will smite Judah like fire.”

Amos 9:11

“I, the Lord, am watching the sinful kingdom – I will wipe it out from the face of the earth! BUT STILL: I will not completely destroy the descendants of Jacob.” God is talking to ISRAEL.

We are also descendants of Judah, and that is why this message is intended for us as well.

Wow – quite profound. It reminds me of a recent message I read on social media:

WHAT THE WORLD CALLS CHAOS —- GOD CALLS PROPHECY.

THINGS ARE NOT FALLING APART – THEY ARE FALLING INTO PLACE…

AMAZING!

Amos is a short book, yet very powerful. His prophecies serve as a reminder of God’s justice and the importance of humility.

Although this book may make one uncomfortable when read, it tests not only your faith, but it also offers hope to everyone who sincerely seeks God’s will for their life.

Amos 9:14

“I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel. They will rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they will never again be uprooted from their land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God.”

What does this mean? Let’s hear what researchers and writers say about their interpretation of the Bible:

Although there was a physical return of Israel to the land (e.g., the establishment of Israel in 1948), many consider this prophecy not yet fully fulfilled, as it includes a permanent peace and righteousness that are not yet visible.

Something to think about, right?

Another prophet to note is Obadiah.

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Although it consists of only 21 verses, it is rich in imagery, evoking a poetic quality.

Obadiah prophesied about God’s judgment on Edom and the nations (all geographically surrounding Israel) to emphasise God’s sovereignty.

How many prophecies did Obadiah receive? Depending on how one classifies it, we can say that he received one primary vision.

But this vision contains ± 10–12 unique prophetic announcements.

These announcements include: judgments, reasons for judgment, promises of restoration, and pronouncements about the Day of the Lord yet to come!

Obadiah 1:15 

“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, so it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return upon your head.”

Writers and researchers have written much about verse 15. For example, in the John MacArthur Study Bible, MacArthur states :

“This verse expands the scope of judgment beyond Edom to all nations. God will judge all who oppose Him and His people.”

MacArthur sees this verse as a shift from local judgment to the revelation of God’s universal end-time events – and therefore includes us all!

Obadiah’s prophecy serves as a reminder of God’s justice and the importance of humility for us today. This is therefore a prophetic warning:

It is a call to repentance before the day of judgment arrives – a call to complete surrender!

Amos and Obadiah are just two writers of the many prophecies that amount to:

REPENTANCE

And with that comes the command:

Matt 28:19:

“Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

It is indeed exciting to receive so many revelations from God’s Word and to learn to live more and more in His presence. Let us also remain open to contemporary testimonies and how people’s lives are being drastically changed.

Feel free to listen to my broadcasts on Radio Cape Pulpit, which air every Wednesday at 13:30. You can find the application (app) on your smartphone’s Play Store by searching for CAPE PULPIT and listening anytime, anywhere.

You are also welcome to let me know how this series has personally helped you to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ and to experience the Holy Spirit as your Helper.

At the bottom of this page, you can send me a message. You are also welcome to send a WhatsApp to 082 926 5062.

Until next time.

SHALOM

AMANDA