Tag: Amos 7:7-8
Truth that offends!
Scripture reading for August 5th: Amos 7-9, Matthew 15
Matthew 15: 7-12 “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” And He called the people to Him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person. Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heart this saying?”
Jesus was not one to sugar-coat sin in the lives of people, particularly those claiming to be the most religious and righteous. The Pharisees had confronted Jesus about His disciples not washing their hands when they ate. Jesus spoke strongly back to them with questions about why they had broken God’s laws for the sake of their traditions. He openly called them “hypocrites.’ They were pointing fingers at others problems but ignorant of their own issues. They claimed to honor God and keep His Word, but were only giving lip service and not obeying the heart of God. They were blind guides leading blind people–both would fall into the ditch! This hypocrisy came from hearts that were not submitted to God, but rather became offended when Jesus spoke Truth to them. God’s Plumb Line of Truth tests all men’s hearts.
Matthew 15:13-14 “He answered, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I have judged others but purposely ignored my own faults and breaking of God’s Word. I want to be one who worships God in sincerity and Truth and teaches and lives out God’s Word in heart-felt submission. Deliver me from offense and finger-pointing. Rather empower me to walk in the Holy Spirit and live out Your Truth.
Amos 7:7-8 “This is what He showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by.”