Daily Devotions
Amos
"I abhor the pride of Jacob"
Text: Amos 6:8
THE MENTION OF JACOB
The name of Jacob often conjures up very mixed feelings and thoughts. Sometimes, they are so mixed up that they must be carefully sorted out, or they may appear contradictory. The name of Jacob could be understood under two categories.
1. The unregenerate Jacob
a) He was cunning.
b) He was wicked.
c) He was essentially selfish.
2. The regenerate Jacob
a) He experienced redemption.
b) He was a changed man (that took many years).
c) His name was changed to “Israel” to signify the vital changes that had taken place.
THE PRIDE OF JACOB
The following text refers to Jacob in his sinful state of life. This well reflected the spiritual state of Israel in the days of Amos.
“The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself,
The LORD God of hosts says:
‘I abhor the pride of Jacob,
And hate his palaces;
Therefore I will deliver up the city
And all that is in it.'”
Amos 6:8
1. “The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself”
a) This is a solemn oath that God had taken.
b) He could not swear by a higher being, thus he swore by Himself.
2. “The LORD God of hosts says”
a) This oath was now disclosed.
b) This oath was taken by none other than the LORD God of hosts Himself.
3. “I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his palaces”
a) The unregenerate Jacob is in view here.
b) The pride of Jacob is expressive of the unregenerate state of Israel.
c) The pride of Jacob was a sin that God hated. (Abhorred!)
This pride was expressed in the magnificent palaces Israel had built to display his wealth.
4. “Therefore I will deliver up the city and all that is in it”
The foolish pride of Jacob believed that its power and might could withstand the attack of any enemy. They could not be more wrong. God Himself would deliver the whole nation (city) to its enemies.