Israel had strong military security and the economy was good. The temple cult leaders reported that God was favoring them for their support of the religious leaders.
Entered AMOS the Prophet, who in no uncertain words let them know that they and those like them were not being favored by God. He told them that their misuse of their might and their injustice, both to those around them and those within the nation meant that their religious practices were empty, even a slap in the face of God. Israel would fall and fall hard, believing that they could do no wrong, but were God's favorites.
Many evangelicals have bought into the Law of Discovery and Manifest Destiny ideologies of Europe and America in the past, developing an American Civil Religion that manipulates its adherents to believe in prosperity theology, personal salvation as one's only concern and purity/holiness rather than faithfulness to Jesus' Way as the goal of followers of Jesus. Folk have heard it for decades and have been subject to it for decades. The results are not healthy. Many believe that America is God's country, favored above all others in the world and can do no wrong (along with Israel). Some believe that an anti-love, anti-justice, anti- equality, anti-equitability and anti-Christ occupier of the oval office is the chosen of God. Some believe that one can do whatever one wants to others, economically, socially and civilly, and not be at odds with God because they are
"saved". Amos would beg to differ.
Read Amos. Amos speaks to America right now.
Read James. James speaks to America right now.
Read the Good News of Jesus. Focus on what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for those who would follow Him. Jesus speaks to America right now.
There is nothing new under the sun, and Empires still fall.
Pastor Jamie
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