I Know Your Transgressions and Sins

Saturday, June 13, 2015
Amos 5:7-13 KJV 

7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, 8 [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name: 9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. 10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. 11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them. 12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate [from their right]. 13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) "Wormwood" is a metaphor for "sorrow" or "bitterness." What else does the Lord say to those who have turned from Him? (v.7-8a)
2) What does the Lord say about Himself? (v.8b-9)
3) What does the Lord say about those who have turned from Him? (v.10-12)
4) What does the Lord tell the "prudent" to do during such times? Why? (v.13)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you ever encountered a professing believer who rebels against the ways and will of the Lord? 
6) If so, what did you do in response?  

LIFE LESSONS
7) When the hearts of God's people are set on rebellion, it is best to say nothing.