INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

GODS NATURE AND HIS ACTIVITY IN THE UNIVERSE

BY BRIANT LUBANGA

PRESENTED TO DR. PLAWSON KURIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (UCC 106)

1ST MARCH 2014

The book of Amos presents itself as very relevant and timely in our world today in terms of cultural, economic and ethical issues. The book is actually a message that was given during a time when the land of Israel was experiencing great prosperity and abundance. However, in the midst of this prosperity, the people ignored God and embraced vices such as extortion, hypocrisy, corruption and social injustices. Amos’ prophecy came as an announcement of the impending doom and judgment that God was going to release to the people. Eight times the prophetic warning spoke of the three, even four sins that the people had committed. This was an expression of the extent and magnitude of which it had gone beyond limit. These sins are what angered God and moved him to speak of bringing judgment upon them.
Because of these sins, Gods warnings to them were a clear expression and communication of who he really is and what he stands for. It was not going to be business as usual because, just like in times past, God’s intolerance for sin had been experienced, and since he is a God who does not change, his response to these acts was going to openly manifest what his nature and character is truly like. As much as he is a God of mercy, we also see that his anger can be kindled and that he can unleash wrath in judgment.
Eight times in chapter one and two, (Chapters 1:3, 1:6, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 2:4, 2:6) God uses the phrase, “for three sins…even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.” The re-use of this phrase not only served as an emphasis or reminder of their sins, but rather it spoke of the extremes of the peoples’ engagement in sin. The sins of the people could no longer go unnoticed and excused but God had to step in in his might and act.
Because of their continual sin, God made it clear that he will pour out his judgment upon the people. His warnings were not just mere threats upon the people. According to him, it was a serious matter as he was going to punish even his very own. The judgments to be released were therefore the consequences of man’s violations of God’s principles. God in his sovereignty does not show any sign of tolerance to sin.
The various sins committed by both Israel and his neighbors serve as a good explanation of Gods nature and activity in the universe. As much as Israel were God’s chosen people, his warnings and readiness to punish them as well as Israel’s neighbors went to show that he is not a respecter of persons, neither does he show partiality when dealing with mankind. His demand of justice and righteousness from both Israel and the neighbors is an affirmation of his equity and fairness.
God’s hatred for sin is very clear as he pointed out all the sins that both the Israelites and his neighbors were committing. In regards to the sin of Gaza where they took communities captive and sold them, God made it clear that he does not in any way support the idea of slavery of mankind. Because man is made in the image of God, the selling a fellow human being will be utter disregard and disrespect of Gods workmanship. Through this we can see that God values man and he desires him to live in freedom. Similarly, in todays’ world, if someone is sold out for slavery without their wish, there would be an outcry because it is generally considered unethical and to be in violation of human rights.
God continues to point out the sins of the people and condemns the murders being undertaken by Edomites. They killed their brothers with the sword in order to remove any kind of competition rising from within the family. Even with the desire of success in man, God still does not allow man to go against his brother for self-gain. The value of human life is very close to Gods heart that he highly condemns murder regardless of the motive. In our society today, men will go to the extent of killing a family member so as to safeguard their selfish interests. Since God does not change, murder, for whatever reason, is unethical and unacceptable.
The sin of Ammon as described in chapter one was the murder of the unborn children for the sake of gaining territory. God made it very clear that he was displeased with these acts. His displeasure was because he still viewed the unborn child as valuable life. Such acts of abortion are not strange in our world today. As much as it may have been legalized in many parts of the world, the killings are still a violation of Gods laws. This is because God does not change his principles and values over time. He still values life even while it is in the mothers’ womb.
Judah too was not spared. Her sin was the rejection of Gods laws as seen in chapter two and verses four. God is the one who sets the laws for man and he expects him to abide by them to the letter and not ignore or alter them. Instead of following the Lord, they were led astray by the false gods that their ancestors worshipped in the past. Irrespective of the traditions that we have been born in to or acquired over time, God still expects that we follow that which he has laid down as his principles for us to follow. In Exodus chapter twenty verse five; God tells us that he is a jealous God. We therefore must accord him the glory that is due his name.
Now concerning the Israelites, God condemned them for the oppression of the poor. As if they did not regard them as their neighbors and brothers, they exploited and used them by taxing them unfairly. They did this so as to only benefit themselves by building houses cut of stone. Certainly, this was unethical and because of this, God in his anger declared that the vine-gardens they had planted by their hands will not give them wine. Such unethical practices are rife even in our society today. As the rich promise to help the poor, they fleece them for self-gain and advancement. It is clear that instead of fleecing the poor, God desired equity for all men.
Another sin that was being committed by Israelites was immorality. The levels of immorality had reached abominable levels and God could not watch it continue anymore. It was gross to the point where a father and son went in to the same young woman. By all standards, this was unacceptable before God as it would in any cultural setting even in this present day. As a result, God had to release his wrath and judgment on them. Looking at our society today, such vices are not any strange. Sexual sins are rampant even to the point of men having relations with fellow men and women doing the same. Without a doubt, God hates sin, especially when the sanctity of sex is disregarded and corrupted.
During the time of prophesy, the Israelites were also engaged in the perversion of justice by oppressing the righteous through taking of bribes and also depriving the poor of justice in their courts. They hated the ones who reproved in the courts and them that said the truth. Such practices are very common in our world today. The one who has money is the one who has his way. God is a God of truth and the advancement of truth is a means of glorifying him. He has not changed and just as he was not pleased with the Israelites, so it is today. His desire is that justice will be rendered to every man as it befits him.
Despite all the sins that the Israelites were committing, God still kept sending warnings to the people. As we see in Amos chapter three, God says that he would do nothing without first revealing his plans to his prophets. This clearly shows that God in his nature is full of love and caring enough to send us warnings. Perhaps through these warnings, we will change our ways and return to him. However, it is common for men to ignore such warnings and just continue in their old ways.
It is never Gods intention to destroy us even though it is in his power to do so.it has always been hi desire that man will return to him so that they can have a renewed relationship as intended. As we can see in Amos Chapter 4:10-11, God brought destruction upon the people as it were in the days of Egypt and Sodom and Gomorrah. This was all in an attempt to get the peoples’ attention so that they can desist from their sin. Seeing that God had sent to them similar destructions as in times past, it is clear that in all generations, he is consistent in regards to his dealings with mankind and stand regarding sin. Never is there a time when God will bend his rules simply because it is a different cultural or economic setting. God and his principles are as consistent to the extent that he unleashes similar punishments for sins of a similar nature done with a different people in a different setting. We may be living in different times but we are still dealing with the same God who hates sin. There is nothing that would stop him from punishing his people because of their acts of sin.
According to Amos 5:21-23, we see God rejecting the sacrifices of the people. No matter what good they did, God said he did not recognize them. Unlike for man who will be moved by the good things that other men bring to the extent of overlooking sin, God is so interested in the state of our hearts that he will not receive even the choicest of our offerings and sacrifices. He is a God of integrity and no matter what good we bring him, he wants to be sure that we have the right attitude of heart when doing it. Unlike in our societies today, God never bends rules to accommodate anyone or anything. He fixed and set standards are there in order for man to align himself to them.
In Chapter 4:7-9 God had sent destructions on the fields as well as holding back the rain. This is evident enough in showing his power, not only over the people but also over the created universe as a whole. Being the creator of all things, he held back the rain from which man highly depends and benefits from. All that he is demonstrating is that he still reigns supreme and has control over his creation. He needs to consult man to do what he deems right. He even challenges the people to go and consult the maker of the constellations of which he was speaking of himself.
God in his love still desires that man returns to him. As seen in Amos chapter five, God is calling man to seek him so that he may live. Despite all the sins they had engaged in, he still reached out to them offering them hope. Such kind of unconditional love can only be found and experience in God. It is never Gods intention to just cast us away. In his love he is still calling us back to him so that we can have a renewed relationship. Through his words in chapter 3:7 he says that two cannot walk together unless they have agreed to do so. We must choose our associations rightly because through such associations, values and morals are learnt and developed. May we return to God because he is righteous and just.