Read Amos 1-2

“All Men Everywhere”

Several prophets were utilized by God during the reign of Uzziah, including Hosea, Isaiah, and Amos. Some prophets held great political influence, but Amos was simply identified as one “who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1) and “a tender of sycamore fruit” (Amos 7:14).

The thrust of the first two chapters of Amos’ prophecy is the importance of righteousness, wherever and whoever you may be. He pronounces the judgments of the Lord against Israel’s neighbors in Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, then turns his attention to Judah and Israel. The takeaway is this: God will not tolerate sin whether you are among His people or not.

Brother Jack P. Lewis wrote, “God is not merely a god of the hills limited in power and dominion to his own people. He is the international God of justice punishing sin wherever it occurs, calling the neighbors who do not worship him into account.”

God’s people have a tremendous responsibility to maintain unity and purity within His church, but also to reach those outside the church and lead them to the truth. Ignorance is no excuse for disobedience. There is coming a day “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). If we do not warn those around us of the coming judgment, how will they escape? How will they come to know and obey Jesus if we do not introduce them to Him?

Jesus urged His first-century disciples to evangelize the lost; that need is no less urgent today. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The warnings against sin run throughout the inspired Word. Concerning the idolatry of the ancient world, the apostle Paul said, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). We have an obligation to teach the truth to “all men everywhere” so that they may have the opportunity to obey!