God’s Mighty Works

Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals— those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined. “Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath. Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?” declares the LORD. “But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’ “Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down. Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life; he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life; and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day,” declares the LORD.
Amos 2:6–16
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God’s Mighty Works
The mighty works of God were done in the sight of the people of God. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night traveled in the presence of Israel. They saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore and yet they still sinned. They still grumbled against Moses. They still ignored the Word spoken to them. God continues to send his prophets and pastors despite our sin and our inability to believe. Even though the people demand to hear what they want to hear and partake of what they want to partake, God still makes sure his pure Word is preached and his Sacraments are given for the forgiveness and life of his people. His Holy Spirit uses the Word to do his work. The Holy Spirit only has the Word. He knows when to apply Law to crush, accuse, and kill. He shows you your sin and lets the full weight of our sin suffocate us so that he can deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to give life and forgiveness. The Law kills and the Gospel resurrects. Thus, our God promises to tear apart so that he can mend up. He promises to knock down so that he can build back up. He promises a great exchange. He gives that great exchange in Jesus and his cross. Jesus gets your sin and your death and your enemies. You get his eternal life and his name and his Father.