Sharper Iron — The Day Is Surely Drawing Near: The Oracle against Judah

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grassy Butte, ND and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Belfield, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 2:4-5.

The first six oracles of judgment in Amos are against pagan nations surrounding Judah and Israel. Now the prophet turns the corner to address the LORD’s own people, starting with the southern kingdom, Judah. During the period of the Divided Monarchy, which began with Rehoboam of Judah and Jeroboam I of Israel, the southern and northern kingdoms were sometimes friend and sometimes enemies. During the time of Amos, Israel was enjoying relative peace and prosperity from an earthly perspective, while Judah was weaker. Yet even Judah does not escape the LORD’s judgment. Using the same words as He used against the pagan nations, Amos preaches against Judah for an even worse sin. They rejected the law of the LORD. It was bad enough for the pagans to break the law written on their hearts; it was far worse for Judah to knowingly reject the word the LORD spoke to them by the prophets. This word is the Torah, the LORD’s word, instruction, and way. It stands in complete contrast to the idols in whose lies Judah was walking and had been walking under their fathers. The LORD’s fire would come down upon Judah as well, not only under Babylon, but also under Rome, after the rejection of the Torah made flesh, Jesus Christ. In this way, the LORD shows the condemnation that awaits all who reject His Son by faith. Amos’ preaching calls all people to repent and to place their trust in Him alone.

“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the book of Amos. This Old Testament prophet speaks the LORD’s roaring Word in order to call us first to repentance over our idolatry and injustice and second to faith in the Messiah in the line of David, Jesus Christ. Only through faith in Him will we stand forgiven and redeemed on the coming Day of the LORD.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Amos 2:4-5

Judgment on Judah

⁴Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Judah,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have rejected the law of the Lord,
    and have not kept his statutes,
but their lies have led them astray,
    those after which their fathers walked.
⁵So I will send a fire upon Judah,
    and it shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).