Psalm 16, 17; Amos 5:1-17; Jude 1-16; Matt. 22:1-14
Amos prophesies the Lord’s judgment but he also gives the basis for that judgment in this chapter. The judgment is the opposite of the blessing promised to Abraham, the loss of the land and also barrenness. The bases for the judgment of the Lord are the false worship in cultic places like Bethel and Gilgal and also the perversion of justice and righteousness in the land in search of prosperity. They have failed to listen to anyone who speaks a word against their avarice and injustice and have rejected the righteousness of God. The punishment for these sins is that they will lose all in which they hope and set their store, it will be taken away. Amos, however, does not leave them without hope, he implores them to seek the Lord and they will live, seek good and they will live. His message is like John the Baptist’s, repent, for the day of the Lord is near.
The parable of the wedding feast is quite similar to the parable of the wicked tenants. It tells of those who were chosen by the king to participate in the joy of the marriage of his son and yet when the time came for the feast the chosen ones were too busy or they came against the servants who delivered the invitation. They showed great disrespect and disdain for the king in ways that would be literally unimaginable. The response of the king is as would be expected in such a situation in coming against these but then to extend that same largesse to “nobodies” in the roads would be unthinkable. The one who comes without proper attire has equally disrespected the king as the wedding garments would be provided by the host and refusal to wear the garment would be the height of insolence.
Jude is a strange little epistle and I certainly don’t have space here to get through all the allusions in these few verses. The warning is against those who would lead astray the believers and the punishment that awaits. It is also based on what has already happened to those who have been deceivers and deceived. Verse 5 is interesting in that the writer says that Jesus saved the people out of Egypt and then destroyed those who did not believe. The writer also credits Jesus with dealing with angelic rebellion. The writer is warning the recipient(s) about falling away. We are called to persevere no matter how long the delay, to remain in the truth and to do all we can to assist others. There is a sense that the believers are rescue workers who are tasked with saving others from burning buildings. The only true solution is the one Jesus gave, abiding in Him and His Word.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
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