Godchaser Podcast
Join Evan Evans on The God Chaser Podcast, a weekly exploration of faith, spirituality, and personal growth centered on Jesus Christ. Evan, a devoted believer and captivating host guides listeners through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions that deepen their understanding of Christ and His teachings.
We delve into topics such as Christ's teachings, the power of prayer, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of community in spiritual growth. The God Chaser Podcast aims to inspire and challenge listeners, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to live a more fulfilling, Christ-centered life.
Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning your faith journey, The God Chaser Podcast with Evan Evans supports and nourishes your spiritual growth. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts and join us each week as we chase after the heart of Jesus, embracing the transformative power of His love and grace.
Godchaser Podcast
Beyond the Shepherd's Warning: Seeing Jesus in Amos
What happens when religious performance clashes with God's demand for authentic justice? Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa with no religious pedigree or prophetic lineage, delivers one of Scripture's most thundering messages against social injustice and empty worship—and reveals Christ in surprising ways.
We're continuing our journey through the Minor Prophets, diving into a book that speaks powerfully to our modern context. Amos prophesied during a time of economic prosperity in Israel, when religious observance was high but injustice was rampant. Sound familiar? Our world today often resembles Amos's: pockets of wealth alongside grinding poverty, religious activity without transformed hearts, systems benefiting some while harming others.
The shepherd-prophet's message comes like a lightning bolt: "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me." God rejects worship disconnected from justice. Through powerful images—the plumb line representing Christ's perfect standard, the restoration of David's fallen tent pointing to Jesus's inclusive kingdom, the vision of abundant blessing foreshadowing Christ's promise of fullness—Amos reveals the Messiah centuries before His birth. His famous call to "let justice roll down like waters" finds perfect fulfillment in Jesus, who confronted religious hypocrisy while embodying true righteousness.
This episode challenges us to examine the gap between our Sunday worship and Monday living, our economic choices and their impact on vulnerable people, and our courage to speak truth to power. Whether you're questioning how faith should influence your business practices or seeking to understand what genuine worship looks like, Amos's ancient message speaks directly to your life today. Subscribe now and join us as we discover how Jesus transforms our understanding of justice, worship, and restoration.
Keep chasing after God
Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, evan Evans, and today we're continuing our journey of discovering Jesus in every story of Scripture. Last week we explored Micah's beautiful message about justice, mercy and the promised ruler from Bethlehem. Today we're turning to a prophet who might make us a bit uncomfortable. Amos, this shepherd-turned-prophet, delivered one of Scripture's most powerful messages about social justice, religious hypocrisy and God's call for genuine worship. But even in his stern warnings, we'll discover how Jesus shines through in remarkable ways.
Speaker 1:In this episode we'll explore how Amos' thundering call for justice reflects Jesus' own priorities, why God rejects religious activity without heart transformation, what the image of the plumb line reveals about Christ's perfect standard, how the promise to restore David's fallen tent points to Jesus' kingdom. What it means to let justice roll down like waters in our lives today. Whether you're wrestling with the gap between religious activity and everyday life, wondering how your faith should impact your economic choices, or seeking to understand what genuine worship looks like, amos' message speaks directly to where you are today. The God Chaser podcast is committed to helping you see Jesus on every page of Scripture and understand what that means for your everyday life and relationships. This is Evan Evans and you're listening to Episode 21,. Finding Jesus in Amos' Message. When Justice and Worship Meet.
Speaker 2:For those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, evan Evans, as he explores the depths of scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God chaser. Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser podcast. Let the chase begin.
Speaker 1:Last week we explored Micah's powerful message about justice, mercy and the promised king from Bethlehem. Today we're turning to a prophet who might make us a bit uncomfortable Amos. If you've never read Amos, you're in for a wake-up call. This book contains some of Scripture's most forceful language about social justice, religious hypocrisy and God's demand for genuine worship. But, as we'll see, even in Amos' stern warnings, jesus shines through in remarkable ways. Let's start with who Amos was. In the opening verse, he tells us the words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa. Amos, chapter 1, verse 1. I love this introduction. Amos wasn't a professional prophet or priest. He wasn't from a religious family. He was a shepherd and a tender of sycamore fig trees. Amos, chapter 7, verse 14. He was a working man, a farmer, called directly by God to speak uncomfortable truth to powerful people.
Speaker 1:Amos prophesied around 760 to 750 BC, during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel. This was actually a time of prosperity and military success for Israel. The economy was booming, borders were secure. Things seemed great on the surface, but beneath that prosperity lay terrible injustice. The rich were getting richer while the poor were being crushed. Religious observance was high, but so was hypocrisy. People attended worship while ignoring God's commands for how to treat others Sound familiar. Our world today often resembles Amos's Pockets of prosperity alongside grinding poverty, religious activity without transformed hearts, systems that benefit some while harming others.
Speaker 1:Into this comfortable, prosperous, religious but not righteous society, amos brings a thundering message from God, and it's not what they want to hear. He begins with pronouncements of judgment on Israel's neighbors Damascus, gaza, tyre, edom, ammon, moab. I can imagine the Israelites nodding along. Yes, those sinful nations deserve judgment. But then Amos turns to Judah and finally to Israel itself. It's a rhetorical masterpiece, drawing his audience in with condemnation of enemies, then turning the spotlight on them. And what does Amos condemn Israel for? Primarily social injustice. Amos, chapter 2, verses 6 to 7,. They sell the innocent for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. This focus on justice for the vulnerable reflects Jesus' own priorities. When Jesus began His ministry in Luke, chapter 4, he quoted Isaiah the Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. Both Amos and Jesus emphasize that how we treat the vulnerable reflects our true relationship with God. Jesus would later say Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew, chapter 25, verse 40.
Speaker 1:Amos delivers some of his sharpest words against religious hypocrisy. Amos, chapter 5, verses 21 to 23. I hate, I despise your religious festivals. Your assemblies are a stench to me. Away with the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the music of your harps. Why such harsh language? Because their worship wasn't matched by justice. The next verse explains but let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream, verse 24. This parallels Jesus' confrontations with the Pharisees In Matthew, chapter 23, verse 23,. He says Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You give a tenth of your spices, but you have neglected the more important matters of the law justice, mercy and faithfulness.
Speaker 1:Both Amos and Jesus condemned religious performance that wasn't accompanied by transformed hearts and righteous living. Many of us have experienced this disconnect in our lives, going through religious motions while an area of our life remains untransformed. Amos calls for genuine repentance. In chapter 5, verse 4, god says through him seek me and live. And in verse 14, seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord, god Almighty, will be with you, just as you say he is. This is the same message Jesus preached Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17. Both called for a complete turnaround not just feeling sorry, but changing direction.
Speaker 1:Now let's look at some specific ways Amos points to Jesus. First, through the image of the plumb line. In Amos, chapter 7, verses 7 to 8, god shows Amos a vision. The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people, israel. I will spare them no longer. A plumb line is a weighted string used to determine if a wall is perfectly vertical. It's the standard against which building is measured. Jesus is our plumb line, the perfect standard of righteousness, he said. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5, verse 48. When measured against Christ's perfection, we all fall short, but thankfully, his righteousness becomes ours through faith.
Speaker 1:Second, through the promise of restoration. After pronouncing judgment, amos ends with hope. Amos 9.11-12. In that day, I will restore David's fallen shelter. I will restore its ruins and build it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name. The remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name. This prophecy is quoted directly in Acts, chapter 15, verses 16 to 17, where James applies it to the inclusion of Gentiles in God's family through Jesus Christ. What Amos foresaw as the restoration of David's kingdom, as the restoration of David's kingdom, james saw fulfilled in the church, jews and Gentiles united in Christ Jesus, is the ultimate fulfillment of this restoration promise. He is the son of David who rebuilds not a physical kingdom but a spiritual one that includes people from every nation. Third, through the promise of abundant blessing. Amos ends with this beautiful picture in chapter 9, verses 13 to 15. This vision of abundance and security points to the ultimate restoration Jesus will bring at his return, as he promised in John, chapter 10, verse 10,.
Speaker 1:Now let's talk about what Amos' message means for us today. What does this ancient prophet's call for justice and genuine worship teach us about following Jesus? First, god cares deeply about how we treat vulnerable people. Throughout Amos, god condemns those who trample on the poor and push aside the needy in the gate. Amos, chapter 5, verse 12. This means we can't separate our worship of God from our treatment of others. Jesus made this connection when he said the two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. Matthew, chapter 22, verses 37 to 39. Ask yourself are there vulnerable people you're overlooking? Do your economic choices contribute to justice or injustice for others? Are you using your voice and resources to stand with those on the margins? Think about your workplace or business. How might you apply Amos' message there? Some business owners have completely restructured their hiring and compensation practices to create opportunities for those who are often excluded People with criminal records, those without formal education, refugees and immigrants. As one CEO put it, I realized I couldn't worship on Sunday while perpetuating injustice Monday through Friday.
Speaker 1:Second, religious activity without heart transformation is worthless. Amos delivers God's stinging rebuke in chapter 5, verse 21. I hate, I despise your religious festivals. Your assemblies are a stench to me. Strong language. God is saying that worship without justice, ritual without righteousness, is offensive to him. Jesus expressed this same priority when he told the Pharisees Go and learn what this means. I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
Speaker 1:Matthew, chapter 9, verse 13. This challenges us to examine our religious practices. Are we just going through motions? Are our church activities, bible studies and prayers disconnected from how we live. Do we leave worship unchanged? Third, judgment begins with God's people. Amos starts by pronouncing judgment on surrounding nations, but quickly turns to Israel, god's chosen people. God holds them to a higher standard precisely because they have received greater revelation and privilege. This parallels 1 Peter 4, verse 17. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household. And Jesus said From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. Luke 12, verse 48. As followers of Jesus, we are called to higher standards, not lower ones. We should expect God to discipline us when we stray, precisely because he loves us. Hebrews 12, verses 5-6.
Speaker 1:Fourth, true repentance brings hope of restoration. Despite Amos' stern warnings, the book ends with promise I will restore, I will rebuild, I will bring my people back. Amos 9, verses 11 to 15. This reflects Jesus' message Judgment is coming, but forgiveness and restoration are available to all who repent. As he told the woman caught in adultery Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin. John, chapter 8, verse 11. Many couples whose marriages were destroyed by infidelity have experienced this kind of restoration. After genuine repentance and years of rebuilding trust, the relationship that emerges isn't just a return to the original state, but something better, built on honesty and real intimacy instead of appearance. That's the kind of restoration God promises not just returning to the original state, but creating something better.
Speaker 1:What strikes me most about Amos is the prophet's courage. He was a simple shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah, crossing into the northern kingdom of Israel to deliver hard truth to powerful people. When told to stop prophesying, he replied I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me go prophesy to my people, israel. Amos, chapter 7, verses 14 to 15. This reminds me of the apostles in Acts, chapter 4, verse 13. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Jesus takes ordinary people and empowers them to speak extraordinary truth, even when it costs them. He gives us courage to stand against injustice, to speak up for the vulnerable, to live counter-culturally.
Speaker 1:As we wrap up our look at Amos, I want to emphasize that his message isn't just about doom and gloom. Yes, he pronounces judgment, but he ends with a vision of restoration so abundant that the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman harvest, so plentiful that they're not finished gathering one before it's time to plant the next. This pictures the overflowing blessing Jesus brings. As he said, give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. Luke, chapter 6, verse 38.
Speaker 1:Next week we'll explore the prophet Obadiah and see how even the Bible's shortest prophetic book reveals Jesus. But today, remember what Amos teaches us about Christ. He is our plumb line, the perfect standard of righteousness. He is the restorer of David's fallen tent, uniting all peoples in his kingdom. He is the bringer of true justice that rolls like a river. He is the one who transforms our worship by transforming our hearts. He is the promise of abundant restoration beyond our imagination. This is Evan Evans, reminding you to keep chasing God's heart Until next time. Remember. In a world that often separates faith from action, jesus calls us to let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.
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Speaker 1:May you not just chase God but find Him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks. Another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.