God is troubled with Israel’s continual disobedience, so He reminds them of His ability to do whatever needs to be done to get them to return to the Lord, “…behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth—THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME.” (Amos 4:13) The nation of Israel has been rebelling against God for some time now, The Lord said to them, “Go to Bethel and SIN; go to Gilgal and SIN yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years.” (Amos 4:4)
Israel’s worship had become so mixed with pagan elements that they were NO LONGER WORSHIPPING GOD. Instead they were worshipping a “god” they had named Yahweh who was simply a figment of their imagination—a false “god” they thought they could manipulate to bless and protect them. This of course was breaking the commandments of God about “having no other gods before you…” (Exo. 20:3) So, the Lord pleads with them, “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now RETURN TO ME, and I WILL RETURN TO YOU,” (Mal. 3:6-7)
Now this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Israel. Shout for the greatest of nations! Shout out with praise and joy: ‘Save your people, O LORD, the remnant of Israel!’ For I will bring them from the north and from the distant corners of the earth. A great company will return! Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths WHERE THEY WILL NOT STUMBLE.” (Jer. 31:7-9)
Jesus says to us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you IS LIGHT.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
-Bill Stockham