Daily Devotional for Friday, June 12

Judah and Israel’s Judgment

“Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked,” Amos 2:4.

As we consider the righteous judgment of God, we naturally think of the impending punishment of those that do not know God. However, it is evident in God’s Word that judgment will come upon God’s own people that blatantly disobey Him. The apostle Peter wrote, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). And rightly so, for having received such wonderful mercy, the people of God ought to love Him and uphold His Word above all else. Sadly, this is often not the case.
God stood in judgment of both the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom had the Temple in Jerusalem and continued the sacrifices and rituals, but their heart was far from the Lord. Jeremiah 3:10 says, “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.” Israel had fully turned to idolatry, oppression of the poor and sexual impurity to name just a few. Amos 2:9-11 rehearsed the goodness of God toward Israel, and yet, there was no gratitude for all He had done.
Are we like Israel and lack gratitude for the wonderful things given to us by our Lord? Are we like Judah and hypocritically serve the Lord Jesus on Sunday, but live like the world the rest of the week? God is not fooled. May we learn from the sin and judgment of God’s people in the Old Testament and determine to live a holy life in dedication to our Lord.

REFLECTION
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Darla Goodrum