It is a popular view that history repeats itself in an endless cycle, but Scripture makes it clear that we are actually progressing toward a final conclusion point, the Day of the Lord. The nation of Israel assumed they would fare well on that day, but Amos confronted them with their hypocritical, profitless religion. Alistair Begg warns today’s Church that religious routines and fascination with prophecy are ultimately useless unless they produce obedience and righteous living.
Let Justice Roll Down
18Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light,
19as if a man fled from a lion,
and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
20Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
21“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
23Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
25“Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, 27and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.
