Right On Target

The Prophet Amos, painted a vivid word picture, the circles of a target, Amos then paints a bullseye placing God’s church of the Old Testament at the heart of this prophetic target. Starting with Damascus, Amos paints seven rings of judgment then painted Israel as the bullseye. For each nation it says, “For three transgressions and for four.” We find the imagery confusing. Amos is saying, “Judgment is coming, but delayed.” Why the delay? Because God extends mercy beyond our expectation. But the focus of God’s extended mercy and eventual judgment is Israel.

Israel, God’s church of the Old Testament, failed to extend love, compassion and mercy to the nations around them. Israel then became the object of God’s judgment. Yet, as He extended mercy to the surrounding countries, He also does for Israel. Eventually, Israel is judged for their lack of effort.

The question is. Today, has God’s church failed to extend the same mercy, love, and compassion toward others as His church of old? Has our selfishness and indifference caused us to love self more than others? If so, then what judgment lies before us?