God’s Israel
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Amos 3:1–2
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God’s Israel
God calls the nation of Israel his family. He has only known Israel out of all the nations of the earth. They alone have known him and yet they have forsaken him. Therefore, he promises to punish. He declares that sin needs to be paid for and he will not let the debt go. He will not forget that he is the one who delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt because he cannot forget that we are actually enslaved to sin and death. He cannot abide by his holy people being enslaved to anyone. Remember, this is a jealous God. He will allow us to belong to no other. He will not allow us to serve any other god. He will not allow us to be enslaved to the devil. To free his holy people, he must punish the sinless and perfect Jesus for the sins of the nation. He must punish Jesus for your sin. Jesus lives the perfect life offering himself to the Father as a perfect sacrifice—a Lamb without spot or blemish. On the cross he takes the punishment for the whole world’s sin, not just Israel, but everyone from Adam onward. This perfect Lamb satisfies the wrath against the sinner. Covered in Jesus, we are made righteous. We are transformed from death into life and now we rejoice in the love of our God who has won the victory to have us as his own: one big happy family.
Amos 3:1–2
+
God’s Israel
God calls the nation of Israel his family. He has only known Israel out of all the nations of the earth. They alone have known him and yet they have forsaken him. Therefore, he promises to punish. He declares that sin needs to be paid for and he will not let the debt go. He will not forget that he is the one who delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt because he cannot forget that we are actually enslaved to sin and death. He cannot abide by his holy people being enslaved to anyone. Remember, this is a jealous God. He will allow us to belong to no other. He will not allow us to serve any other god. He will not allow us to be enslaved to the devil. To free his holy people, he must punish the sinless and perfect Jesus for the sins of the nation. He must punish Jesus for your sin. Jesus lives the perfect life offering himself to the Father as a perfect sacrifice—a Lamb without spot or blemish. On the cross he takes the punishment for the whole world’s sin, not just Israel, but everyone from Adam onward. This perfect Lamb satisfies the wrath against the sinner. Covered in Jesus, we are made righteous. We are transformed from death into life and now we rejoice in the love of our God who has won the victory to have us as his own: one big happy family.
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January
Responding to GodLamentationSeek GodThe Day of the LordA Matter of FaithThe Secure and the ComplacentThe Pride of the PeopleFrom Depths of WoeVisions of FireA Plumb LineAmaziahSummer FruitA Final VisionA Word of HopeA VisionHumiliationDisplacedStanding AloofHouse of FireRestorationHeeding God’s CallOverboardInside the Great FishFor a Second TimeMessage ReceivedNot FairA Lesson on MercyWho Is Like the Lord?O Earth!Then and NowLament
February
Courtroom DramaEnemies of GodThe Lord GathersFalse ProphetsZionRestorationWise MenIn, But Not OfGod’s ReproachSurvey the CrossLook to the LordVindicationThe Lord’s DeliveranceA Merciful HymnBack AgainLord’s Wrath and CareDoom and DeliveranceThe Enemies of GodOur ConquerorWoe to the City of BloodshedNo Other God’sAre You Better?Prophecy FulfilledThe Prophet SawHow Long?God in the MidstJustice ServedThe God of History
March
Waiting for an AnswerA Dire SituationA Twisting of the TruthIn His Image and In His LikenessThe Lord’s NameThe Sin of ManFear, Love, and TrustThe Day of SalvationThe Word of the LordThe Lord’s JudgmentClear and to the PointBe SilentThe Day of WrathSeek the LordGardensRunning After Other GodsSwordsThe Kingdoms of this WorldWhere is Your Trust?The Lord’s RemnantThe Truth of His WordThe Human HeartA Song of VictoryRebuildingObedience