October21

Amos 6
Ever seen the movie Sabrina? There are two by that title which share the same plot. One starred Humphrey Bogart. The other starred Harrison Ford. The plot is about a chauffer’s daughter who falls in love with her father’s boss. The opulence of the boss and his brother is staggering. They are much like the passage described here in Amos 6.
Who lie on beds of ivory,
Stretch out on your couches,
Eat lambs from the flock
And calves from the midst of the stall;
5 Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments,
And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;
6 Who drink wine from bowls,
And anoint yourselves with the best ointments,
But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
7 Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives,
And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.
Does God have a problem with us celebrating? Absolutely not, He commanded many festivals in the Old Testament. He has a problem with celebrating for the sake of indulging the flesh at the expense of the poor and as an expression of pride. Drinking wine from bowls spoke to more than just volume of wine. Bowls were used in the collection of blood from the sacrificial offering. By using similar bowls, they were placing themselves on the level of god. In their celebrations they turned justice and righteousness in to something bitter. They rejoiced over nothing. They reveled in what they thought was their strength instead of His. The Lord has a problem with that. It is His glory to destroy it.
Lord I enjoy celebrating. Enable me to celebrate Your Glory. Keep me from celebrating for the indulgence of my own flesh. Keep me from being enamored with my own strength. Enable me to bring the poor into celebrating You with me! Let us rejoice in You together! Indeed, we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john