Friday 26 January Amos 5.1-17 Qn.2

Seek me and live; but do not seek  Bethel, (4b-5a): Although God’s punishment to his nation was closer, it is possible to be withdrawn or delayed. But all may depend on the behavior of the Israelites, who are required to seek God first for the punishment to be withdrawn (4,6,14). Bethel and Gilgal were known as places for idolatry, now Beersheba in Judah was also involved in idolatry. Brethren, let’s imitate what is good, reject what is bad, since association with bad people destroys our good habits. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for  Bethel, (6b). Joseph has been promised to inherit 2 portions on the land of Canaan, but these portions were to be registered as the land of his sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48.5). Though Ephraim became so famous that the whole Israel was named after him, it’s in this same manner that God calls the house of Joseph to repent, their sin is clear and public. Consider: Of all that we do, nothing can be hidden from God. Song 123 (Praises)