Alcohol and Society

MEMORY VERSE: “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” —I Peter 2:16

AMOS 6:1-8

THE prophets sent to ancient Israel and Judah were uncompromising critics of the rulers and prominent men of the nation. They were fearlessly outspoken for God, and did not ask or expect praise, especially from the leaders whom they rightfully and frequently condemned. Amos was one of the most outspoken of these holy prophets. He was conscious that he had been called of God to speak for him to the influential rulers, priests, and social leaders of Israel.

Verse one of the lesson reads, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” “Zion” is a reference to the two-tribe kingdom of Judah. The “mountain of Samaria” refers to the military advantage enjoyed by the ten-tribe kingdom—their principal territory being known as Samaria. Bethel was the religious headquarters of the ten-tribe kingdom.

Judgment from God was about to fall upon Israel, and later upon Judah. Calneh, Hamath, and Gath give three historical examples of such judgment, and the leaders of Israel were asked to take these into consideration as warnings to them and of what was to come if they did not change their selfish and sinful ways.—vs. 2

These were inclined to “put far away the evil day” while they continued on in their sins. Amos describes the way of living among the rulers and the rich of the land, referring to those who “lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall.”—vss. 3,4

These also, as Amos wrote, “chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David.” They also “drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.” (vs. 6) The gluttonous and luxurious living of these wealthy leaders and rulers was shameful enough, but what made it even more sinful and worthy of punishment in the eyes of the Lord was the fact that the needs of the ordinary people of Israel, especially the poor, were neglected. The “afflictions of Joseph” were ignored in favor of the ivory beds, the lamb, the veal, and the wine in the bowls.

The judgment of the Lord fell: “Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed. The Lord God hath sworn by himself, saith the Lord the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.”—vss. 7,8

As verse 7 indicates, the people of the ten-tribe kingdom of Samaria, the northern kingdom; were the first to go into captivity, and this was in Assyria. There was never an official release from this captivity, and this segment of the nation has become historically known as “the ten lost tribes of Israel.”

The southern, or two-tribe kingdom of Judah, was overthrown later and taken into captivity in. Babylon, Seventy years later they were officially: released from this captivity by Cyrus, ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire. However, many of the ten-tribe kingdom escaped going into the first captivity in Assyria and these joined with those of the two-tribe kingdom and were taken captive to Babylon.

The memory verse expresses a true Christian principle. Those to whom Peter addressed this admonition had been made free from the bondage of the Law. They realized that they were no longer under command not to steal or murder, etc., but they were not to use this liberty “for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

As true servants of God under the leadership of Christ we should be on the alert to do good to others, not harm. We have liberty to lay down our lives in the service of God, and to do good unto all men, especially unto “the household of faith.” If we thus use our liberty we will glorify God and be a blessing to all those with whom we come in contact, even our enemies.

QUESTIONS

What was the attitude of God’s holy prophets toward evildoers?

What was the sin of Israel’s rulers and leaders?

What punishment fell upon Israel for her sins?

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