“Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?” (Amos 9:7)
Amos 9:7 is one of the more shocking statements in the Old Testament. God reminds the Israelites that, in His eyes, all the nations are the same. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11). He sees the Israelites and the Cushites (Ethiopians) the same. He does not look at nationality or skin color; He looks at the heart. So why are the Israelites privileged? Not because of their nationality but because “theirs are the patriarchs and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ” (Romans 9:5). For Christ to be born a human, He needed an ancestral line. The Jewish nation was set apart to be this line. But such a privilege does not excuse the Israelites from sin or give them a “special pass.” Indeed, if anything, it holds them to a greater responsibility to live as God’s people. That’s why Amos is so hard-hitting. He is basically telling the nation of Israel, “You, of all people, should know better!” I can’t help but think that God’s message to His church would be the same when we live in complacency, pride, selfishness, and greed. “You, of all people, should know better.”
The second part of Amos 9:7 is just as interesting. Not only does God not show favoritism to nations, but He actively works in the histories of nations. God called Israel out of Egypt just as He called the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir. Whoa. Though we know nothing of these other “exoduses,” God does. He is always working behind the scenes, in the hearts of men, in the histories of nations, to accomplish His purposes.
I am reminded of Peter’s words in Acts 10:34-35, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” That’s quite a statement when you read it slowly. Basically Peter is telling us, “Hey, God is in control. He sees the heart of men. He knows when someone truly fears Him and seeks His mercy. Don’t get arrogant in your privileged position. And don’t doubt that God can save anyone, anywhere, whose heart is inclined toward Him.”
The book of Amos teaches me several things…
- God is a roaring lion who hates sin. I have to be careful not to reduce God into a Santa Claus who ignores sin and pretty much smiles on whatever I do. Though I live under grace, this is not an excuse for sin but a motivation to live in holiness.
- God warns me about complacency. Woe to those who are at ease in Zion (6:1). Those words stick in my heart. The danger of the Christian life is often not blatant sin but passive complacency. I grow comfortable. My heart becomes cold. My eyes become distracted. My love turns inward. My life becomes caught up in meaningless things. Lord, restore the passion for You!
- God loves all people and shows no favoritism. Really, when it comes down to it, there are not blacks, whites, Hispanics, Orientals, Jews, Gentiles, Republicans, Democrats, straights, homosexuals, punks, preps, rich, poor, boomers, busters, moderns, postmoderns, etc. There are people, made in the image of God, convicted by the Spirit, and offered grace through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yes, in ministering to people, we must be aware of their cultural context and worldview, but in our attitude and love, we must never see one person as being more favored or less desirable than another. That is a challenge that can only be done through the power of the Spirit and through the eyes of Jesus.
Lord, thank You for Your grace. Thank You that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Awaken my heart today. Fill me with Your Spirit. Keep me from pride and complacency. Strengthen me in holiness. Teach me how to see as You see and love as You love. Through the power of Christ. Amen.