The Family

 June 3, 2023- Morning Bible Reading and Meditation- Amos 3KJV

[1] Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 

[2] You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Words to ponder for today:

The Family

The word of The LORD which He has spoken to the family He has chosen: for The Israel to whom He revealed Himself as the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and the Unchanging GOD.   

He called the Israel by name.

He chose them to be His people.

He counsel them through His called-out prophets. 

And in this book, He is about to chastise them because of their hard-headedness, hard-heartedness, high-mindedness and haughtiness. 

The LORD GOD keep on reminding them: 

• Hear Me

• Have faith in Me

• Haste to have fear only in Me

But they would not hearkened; they provoked GOD to anger by adapting the idols worshipping of those people around them; by returning to the idolatrous practice and sinful ways of living they have learned from Egypt. 

But all of His words were ignored and the people continue to depart from His precepts; ignoring the prophet’s preaching, and continue to live their sinful ways.

And though there are some who keep themselves pure, they too were   afflicted and were carried away captives. 

All are inflicted by the  punishment  because they are the family of GOD; by whom holiness, obedience and full submission to their Loving Father GOD should have been exemplified. 

Sometimes misfortunes, difficulties in life  and troublesome days happens to a family because of the error of some, particularly them who are supposed to lead. 

Or if the head of the family chose to be ignorant from the law and commandments of  GOD; willingly and blindly obey the course and ways of the world than to make a stand, to do what is right and well pleasing in the sight of GOD. 

And even if few of the members learn righteousness, it will be hard on their part to carry on and bear the heaviness of sin which have became the practice of their family. 

A reminder to everyone:

The family should have anchored their faith and fear in The LORD; they should make the words of The LORD the pattern of their lifestyle, so that the generation to come will become an example to the people who desires also to live a life of peace and righteousness. 

And not only that, everybody should know and understand: there is a true GOD who sees, hears and listen, and give recompense. 

Whatever we do in this life, if we do err, we are not the only one to suffer, but also them whom we look after: our family.

If we choose to do the right thing, to fear GOD and have faith in Him, believe Him and His words, then all things will turns out well not only for us, but our entire family as well. 

Let all who desires life, live life to the fullest; not just to feed the lust, but to fear GOD. So that the family where we belong will also come to that saving knowledge of The LORD and our Savior JESUS CHRIST.

Him who give His life to pardon us from sin, and give us a blessed days even eternal life. 

To Him be all glory; for His Name is blessed forever and ever.

Amen!

 Amos 3:1-15 KJV

[1] Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, [2] You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. [3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed? [4] Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? [5] Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? [6] Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it ? [7] Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. [8] The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy? [9] Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. [10] For they know not to do right, saith the Lord, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. [11] Therefore thus saith the Lord God ; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. [12] Thus saith the Lord ; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch. [13] Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts, [14] That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. [15] And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.