the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Amos 2:1-16
The list of transgressors does not end with Moab; Judah and Israel each have their place among the guilty nations! And Israel’s sins even surpass those of all their neighbours. These have only perpetrated their wickedness against their enemies, whilst in Israel the strong have crushed the weak, defiled the Nazarites and shut the mouths of the prophets (v. 12). "They sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes" (v. 6; Amos 8:6); they have trodden under foot the poor, afflicted the just and turned aside "the poor in the gate from their right" (Amos 5:11-12).
We think of the Lord Jesus, so often spoken of as "the Just One" (e.g. Acts 22:14), or "the Poor" (Psalms 40:17; Psalms 41:1). He was continually oppressed and afflicted, before being betrayed, sold, and finally put to death (James 2:6; James 5:6).
As if once more to emphasise His people’s crimes, the LORD recalls His wonders in former times on their behalf. He had destroyed formidable enemies (v. 9); He had brought them up from Egypt and led them through the wilderness (v. 10). Acts of power and love which remind us of His work of salvation on behalf of all people! This work, too, met with the same dreadful ingratitude on their part. What is your response to the Lord’s love?
