Scripture
14 "On the very day I punish Israel for its sins,
I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel.
The horns of the altar will be cut off
and fall to the ground.
15 And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy—
their winter mansions and their summer houses, too—
all their palaces filled with ivory,"
says the Lord.
4 1 Listen to me, you fat cows
living in Samaria,
you women who oppress the poor
and crush the needy,
and who are always calling to your husbands,
"Bring us another drink!"
2 The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness:
"The time will come when you will be led away
with hooks in your noses.
Every last one of you will be dragged away
like a fish on a hook!
3 You will be led out through the ruins of the wall;
you will be thrown from your fortresses,"
says the Lord.
Observations
- Time for rescue is now over, the line has been crossed
- Judgment = destroy
- Israel was judged because they refused to learn
- They oppress the poor and needy
- God swears judgment by His holiness
- What goes up outside of God's will must come down
Applications
- I can't pull people from the judgment of God
- Learn when the line has been crossed
- Lift up the poor
- Understand God's holiness and I'll understand judgment
- Stop building outside of God's will
Prayer
This passage causes me to fear You Lord. Reveal to me more of Your holiness so I can comprehend Your wrath and judgment. Thanks for your grace and revelation empowers me today to live inside of those boundaries. God I worship You because You are holy!
Comments