Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Cows of Bashan and Mount Hermon
Second Word
Amos delivers God’s word to the priests in Bethel for a year and when he is rejected he returns to his shepherding work. He speaks to the Israel nation about their lack of fidelity. And he reminds us of how we can turn back to God and the covenant once we discover that we have again fallen under the spell of the pagan gods of fame, money, influence and power. Amos reminds us that there is always redemption. Restoration is always possible.
God says: In this time of Lent I call you to examine your conscience and you perform this scrutiny well. You are aware of all that you do when you allow yourself to be honest. You know where and how to return to me when you allow yourself a bit of quiet and a dose of truth. So put your worries and fears aside for your renovation already lies within you. Your recovery from all that plagues you is already in your body, mind and soul. All that needs happen is that you note what you do, that you put aside your pagan gods, and that you turn and return to me. Uprightness lives in you through me. Do what you must to nourish the integrity that dwells in you. This is the Second Word that comes from me through my prophet Amos.
In our modern society we are not much different from our ancient ancestors despite our science and technology; the very real temptation to become Cows of Bashan is as keen and alluring today as it was millennia ago; yet we know that life is more than we see before us. And so we still yearn for union. We still seek wisdom and peace. We are still vessels of the Spirit that creates us. God still dwells within . . . waiting to transform and rescue us.
Tomorrow, Third Word.
For information about Bashan, click on the image above or go to: http://www.bibleplaces.com/golanheights.htm
For another Noontime reflection on Amos 4:1-2, enter the words The Cows of Bashan into the blog search bar and explore.
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