For a very sobering, convicting, and yet, enlightening read, take a stroll through Amos. It is a concise book; however, the words of Amos won't leave you quickly.

A short rehash: When Solomon's reign ended, the Kingdom was split (Solomon did not have a good ending). Why? The laws of God directed that the King should not amess great wealth or have many horses and have just one wife. Solomon: The Bible tells us that King Solomon had a fortune that dwarfed anyone who lived before him. He had somewhere between four thousand and forty-thousand horses. Oh, and wives? Solomon had seven-hundred wives and three-hundred concubines. I could go on this story, but it only gets worse; you get the point.

Ten tribes inhabited the north, and it became the land of Israel under the wicked King Jeroboam. Two tribes inhabited the south, becoming Judah, under the reign of Rehoboam, a little less wicked. Jeroboam set up his places to worship (Jerusalem was in Judah), commissioned his own priests, and Israel began a decade of false worship. Fast forward one hundred-forty years, and Israel is under the reign of Jeroboam II.

Everything appears great under Jeroboam II. Israel is prospering; the people are faithful to offer sacrifices at all the festivals King Jeroboam set up decades ago. The people of Israel are convinced that God is about to shower judgment on their enemies. Stop the show; Israel is deceived. There is one inherent problem with deception; you are deceived.

Israel has it all backward and is missing the mark.

• They have confused prosperity (financial prosperity) with God's blessing.
• They think they have good standing with God because of all their sacrifices. Little do they know or understand their gifts are meaningless to God.
• They are fully expecting God to judge their enemies and strike them down. But they are about to be judged by God through Amos.

God has many issues against Israel, not the least being they oppress the poor, exploit people for their pleasure, are sexually immoral, and worship idols. They are about to learn their riches mean nothing. Their sacrifices dishonor God. And as for all their good deeds, they mean nothing because they are full of pride!

The Southern Kingdom, Judah, doesn't get a pass in Amos. But Amos says something entirely different for them. He proclaims that Judah has rejected God. What Judah has failed to recognize about God is that He has always desired an intimate relationship.

There are some striking, eye-catching, and sobering lessons to be considered from Amos.

1. Don't confuse prosperity with God's blessing
2. Don't be consumed with others getting their just due. There is one judge.
3. Ask God to examine your heart often. If your good deeds hint at showiness, you are dishonoring God.
4. Finally, and most importantly, knowing God is all about relationship. It always has been and always will be.