July 16, Day 197 – The Same Old Sins

Proverbs 17:5-14; Amos 1-2;

Romans 2:17-3:8

"Little Bariloche Wood" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper

In Proverbs 17:5-14, we encounter timeless truths which also produce practical, observable outcomes within our current culture.  For example, today we live in an age when we have witnessed people who – without any justifiable reason – look down on poor people, make fun of their plight, or mock them as “lazy or good-for-nothing” simply because of their poverty.  People who practice such behavior have no idea why people are actually poor, but their conduct shows “contempt for our Maker” (verse 5).  Post-modern man has abandoned the biblical concept of dignity that God has invested in all men, women, and children.  We want our own dignity, but we fail to accord dignity to others.  Some people openly call for vengeance against their neighbors, and they “gloat over their disasters” (verse 5).  In verse 6, when I think of my grandchildren, I thank God for them, and I pray for them.  Even though none of them is perfect, I like to think of them as “the crown on my aged head” (verse 6).  By them, God has blessed me.  And think about verse 7: the lies that our leaders tell us are a rebuke to their high offices and fully inconsistent with both ordinary and biblical principles of leadership.  The pursuit of even a minor quarrel can lead to a major dispute that can potentially set off an international war (verse 14).  How true is the Word of God … and how important it is for us to follow its principles.

Today in Amos 1-2, we see God’s call to Amos – a humble shepherd – whom God recruited to preach against His age-old biblical enemies – the Arameans, the Philistines, the Phoenicians, the Edomites, the Ammonites, and the Moabites.  In this judgment, however, God will not overlook the sins of Israel and Judah – they, too, are included in this broad-sweeping condemnation of sin (cf., Amos 2:4 and 6).  Many of their sins are clearly identified – repeated attacks on God’s people (verse 3); enslaving whole communities (verses 6-9); horrendous acts of murder (verses 11-12); warmongering (verse 14); and rejecting the law of the Lord (2:4).  Amos lived about 2,800 years ago, and he addressed the same old sins that are common in our day.  How can anyone say that man is improving?

In Romans 2:17-3:8, we see Paul’s argument on the biblical responsibilities and advantages of being a Jew.  In verses 17-20, he cites about twelve advantages which include reliance on the law; a special relationship to God; knowing and approving the superiority of God’s will; being a light for the blind; serving as an instructor of infants; etc.  Indeed, God gave the Jewish people a high calling to live exemplary lives so that the Gentiles of the world could be drawn to Him by faith.  Paul says, “You then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?  You who preach against stealing, do you steal?” (verse 21).  Paul’s central truth here is this: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly … and true circumcision … that is of the heart by the Spirit.  Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God” (verse 29).  The praise of men doesn’t matter.  What matters is the approval of God (cf., 2 Timothy 2:15).