Though they dig down to the depths below

“Though they dig down to the depths below, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens above, from there I will bring them down.” (Amos 9:2)

 

In the 8th century BC, Amos the prophet taught the people to do God’s fairness and justice. People expect good things to happen on the first day of the New Year. Good things are not achieved by vague expectations, but by own direct effort. Practicing fairness and justice is the best way to make good results. Israel the northern kingdom at the time of Amos enjoyed prosperity under Jeroboam II, but internally, corruption and illegality across society, including religion and morality, prevailed. Amos pointed out the sins of the people and proclaimed to practice the fairness and justice in God. A good society can be created through the life of fairness and justice.

 

God rebukes and destroys the wrong country and the people. Even the people of Israel could not escape God’s punishment. If not being reproached by God, he is as like in the position as the illegitimate son who is not loved by his father. Then he is even more miserable person than others. Korea has made a lot of progress in the meantime with many blessings, as much as the world to be surprised. These days, however, Korea is suffering greatly in the aftermath of the pandemic of the disease and the economic downturn. It’s not something to be discouraged about because that’s not just Korea’s matter, nevertheless there’s no denying that it’s a situation that needs to be awakened. At times like this, we must listen carefully to what Amos the prophet has said to Israel. If we listen and follow that teaching, a new exit will open up in front of us.

The Lord’s strict judgment cannot be avoided by anyone. It is the general psychology of people to want to avoid punishment even after making mistakes. But people of faith who follow Christ Jesus must positively accept the penalty of their own sins. That is a legitimate posture that complies with God’s fairness and justice. Those who believe in God should not only must avoid sin, but also do not to conceal their own mistakes. Therefore, they have no choice but to confess their sins and repent. If one truly repents, the Lord will excuse him. That doesn’t mean as like it’s no matter one just has to repent after committing crimes habitually. By the Lord’s words, it is an attitude of fairness and justice to measure oneself and others with fair standards and deal with each objectively and without prejudice.

‘Sheol’ means ‘invisible world’ or ‘the world of the dead’ in Hebrew. In the text, the expression ‘though they dig down to the depths below’ means ‘even if they hide somewhere that cannot be reached in reality.’ ‘Though they climb up to the heavens above’ means also the same thing. That is a saying which expresses that God knows everything, and He distinguishes definitely between right and wrong for everything. Though they hide themselves on the top of Mt. Carmel or at the bottom of the sea, man can never escape the touch of the Almighty. And God is the ruler of all things, so He punishes men, but does by using the tools and methods of nature. Therefore it should be deeply recognized that all natural disasters or accidents do not occur accidentally or vaguely, but proceedings in the realm of the Lord’s rule.

God severely punishes men for their wrongs, but it is involving the purpose of giving them the blessings of justice in the end. The weakness of humans and nature is, if it’s permitted only autonomy without strict disciplinary action, they can lean toward self-indulgence. Therefore, for proper growth, strict disciplinary action must be taken to correct for the direction. Bible says that God would destroy the sinners on the earth, but He will not destroy Jacob’s house. Even if God shakes all the world, not a pebble will reach the ground. Punishment and judgment, by no means a new thing they are in humans and nature. Therefore, no matter what difficulties we face, we don’t have to worry or be discouraged. In order to cook delicious rice, it’s like have to filter out stones or foreign substances using a sieve.

 

An offender is always anxious, even if no one comes to catch him. On the other hand, an honest person without fault can stay in peace anytime, anywhere. But indeed are there innocent people in the world spiritually? In the Bible, it says that there are written no righteous people. If then how does a person can have a life in peace? The key is, Christ Jesus. By believing in Jesus who gave the eternal life to man captured in eternal death, it became there was no need to dig down to the depths below, the Sheol.

 

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Jan 8th 2023)