December 9, 2023: Haftorah - Amos 2:5-3:8
This week's Haftorah reading is from Amos 2:5-3:8. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he examines the book of the Prophet Amos, where he records an almost exact parallel account as to what is happening in our day; the social, political, economic, military, and religious conditions that were prevalent in ancient Israel. Israel learned the hard way that ADONAI means exactly what He says through His prophets!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – Amos 2:5-3:8
We have reached an epic time in history that parallels the days of Noah. In Genesis 6:5, “Then Adonai saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” It seems the “handwriting is on the wall”, judgment is coming and repentance is necessary before it comes. Yeshua prophesied about this very time we are living in today, Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Yeshua was telling us that as sinful, wicked, and corrupt that the world becomes, people will be going about their normal routines without seriously considering the meaning of these events. They are blinded! They can’t see how everything is unfolding and how it will affect them personally and spiritually.
Are we distracted from the importance of the times? Have we allowed our high standard of living and convenient access to just about everything stop us from truly taking a good look at where we are headed? Are our lives so caught up in our possessions, unprecedented technological luxury, over the top lifestyles that we haven’t noticed that time and prophecy relentlessly march on?
The Book of Amos records an almost exact parallel account as to what is happening in our day. It chronicles the social, political, economic, military, and religious conditions and attitudes prevalent in ancient Israel. In the midst of Israel’s surging power, wealth, and influence Amos proclaims that if the people wouldn’t repent, they will be doomed. The Israelites did not repent. They suffered war, famine, pestilence, and captivity. They learned the hard way that Adonai means exactly what He says through His prophets (Amos 3:7).
This message is as important to us today as it was for ancient Israel. It is written to stir us to action, to awaken us from our spiritual slumber, seeing that we are living in the generation of the return of Yeshua. Destruction is imminent but there still is hope that some can turn around and avoid the wrath and judgment of Yeshua. But as each day passes, it becomes more unlikely, since it seems that the hearts of people are being hardened and their consciences is seared. We have many lessons to learn, and we seem determined to be taught the hard way.
One of our main issues is that our focus is solely on ourselves and the things that we do. We seem to judge people based on wealth and possessions instead of character, belief, standards, and their obedience in faith in Yeshua. We must avoid this seductive, self-centered trap. The basis of a truly abundant life is a Adonai-centered life as shown through a desire to keep the commandments, doing the basics of spiritual life, forsaking not the Kehillah and sacrificing ourselves in service to our King. The spirit of Laodicea – apathetic, self-absorbed, materialistic, and spiritually asleep (Rev. 3:14-22), and headed compromised and all, toward the Great Tribulation and the Day of Adonai. However, there is still time for all of us to wake up and return to Adonai. We must not allow this attractive and easily absorbed way of life to become our own.
Amos rebukes Israel, like in, Amos 2:6-7, “I will not turn away its punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, and pervert the way of the humble.” Amos 4:1…” who oppresses the poor, who crush the needy.” Amos 5 tells us, “They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly…For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins. You afflict the just and take bribes; you divert the poor from justice at the gate.” Even in all their religious fervor, their eyes were not upon the Yah of heaven. Their religious worship was not done in obedience to Adonai as they claimed, but had been conceived in the mind of a man. Adonai tells them that their worship would do them no good because its foundations were a source other than Himself. Their religion was self-pleasing! As my wife is prone to say: “a low estimate of Deity produces a low morality.”
The Book of Amos is a stinging rebuke of a nation that has rejected and forgotten Adonai. It is a shofar warning to all of the dangers of apostasy, rebellion, and complacency. So, please never forget that Amos is speaking to us, warning us to “Prepare to meet Adonai” and shows us how to do it! Elohim desires an intimate, family relationship with each one of us. He is our Abba, and we are His sons and daughters. Adonai will not accept any excuse for failing to live His way of life because He reveals it, He also provides the power to live it!
So, Amos gives us the warning…despising truth is an inward attitude that outwardly reveals itself in immorality and this is the condition Adonai found in ancient Israel and sadly in todays church. Love of the truth comes from Adonai through His Ruach and must be nourished through our response to it. We must not only learn it but also apply it in our lives. This will make the difference between being saved and perishing!
We must not pervert the instruction of Adonai; we must not reject His laws and commandments. The instruction process implies a teacher-student relationship. When the Israelites rejected Adonai’s instructions contained in His law, they rejected the instructor as well.
Commandment means “to engrave or cut into stone” suggesting its permanence and immutability in contrast to temporary and changeable lies. The law comes from an unchangeable, righteous and pure Yah in contrast to fickle and silly men. When we despise the law, it reveals our heart. The Word reveals to us that the cause of the rise and fall of nations is moral and spiritual. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
Amos begins with “The L-rd roars from Zion” (Amos 1:2). In Amos 3:8, concluding the section states, “A lion has roared.” Adonai, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” has roared! When a lion roars, anyone within hearing distance should change the direction of his path, especially if the lion is very close!
The Lion is roaring…as a Kehillah, open your ears, your eyes, and your hearts and let us awaken from slumber! He is coming! Judah’s lion is coming! Prepare the way of Adonai! Be ready to meet the King, as a bride, so make yourself ready and clothe yourself with righteousness!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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Open your ears and hear the Lion roar! Have a great Sabbath. Stand on the wall and blow the shofar…the KING is coming! Prepare yourself! See you at the altar! Happy Hanukkah!