In the last few months author Steve Farrar has been speaking on the striking similarity between Israel during the time of Amos and our country. For just a minute, I thought I might review what he's said.
The prophet Amos received a message from God of coming judgment that Israel didn't believe. After all, why should they? They were doing just fine, and judgment hardly seemed around the corner. Consider these six traits of Israel:
First, the country was enjoying its largest period of prosperity. They had luxurious homes and a growing upper, middle class. Second, the military was at an all-time high. It was at its zenith. It was the big boy on the block. Third, the country was at peace with all nations.
Fourth, religious attendance was at an all-time high. Fifth, while religious attendance was at an all-time high, morality was at an all-time low. And sixth, the people of Israel thought they were immune to change or reversal.
To put it simply, the country was economically prosperous, but morally bankrupt. Even so, most of those in Israel could not see their downfall coming. Judgment was coming because the foundations were being destroyed. Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
Maybe you can see the similarities between the Israel Amos saw and the United States many of us see today. I say "many of us" because so many in our world seem blind to the obvious similarities. It's like the oft repeated statement that the only thing man learns from history is that man never learns from history.
Are we headed for judgment? I don't know, and I doubt Steve Farrar would say he knows either. But the comparisons between Israel and America are ominous. Let's not think we are so strong and so prosperous that judgment could never happen.
I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion.