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Amos 3:9-11 What's in your stronghold? - Day 318

Good afternoon fellow travellers,

We have all seen the credit card commercial that asks "What's in your wallet?".  Today's passage is focused on what was in Israel's stronghold.

Blessings,

Jeff

Observations

At God's direction, Amos invites Egypt and Philistines to gather on the mountains of Samaria (aka Israel) to observe the oppressed in her.

The Lord's own statement - they do not know how to do right.  They store up violence and robbery in the their strongholds.

Thoughts

Of all the things to store in a stronghold, violence and robbery are the strangest things I have heard of.  For example I have important documents in a fireproof lock box.  Things I don't want to loose.  I always know where to look for them.

Safe deposit boxes are a step above a safe in the house.

Then we think of the gold in Fort Knox.  While we aren't on the gold standard, we still have a lot of gold in storage.

The castles of Europe.  The center of military might and defending the kingdom.  

Strongholds contain the things that give security in some way.

But Israel found security in violence and robbery.  The nation that was called to be holy and dependent on God alone finds security in violence and robbery.  How crazy is that?

Application

So what gives me security?  I would like to say being in Christ. But when I look around at all the other things in my life, I have to wonder.  I find it easy to look down on ancient Israel, but that may just show how much I am like them.

 

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