Through the Bible: AmosSample

Let Our Influence Be Good

But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying ‘You shall not prophesy

Amos 2: 12 (ESV)

The book of Amos starts with the prophet pronouncing judgement on Israel’s seven neighbouring countries. If Israel was tempted to feel they were on the moral high ground, they were wrong. Amos soon turned his focus on Israel’s sin. One of them was that they made the Nazirites drink wine. What was the big deal? Nazirites
(Numbers 6:1-8) were set apart and dedicated completely to the Lord, in order to demonstrate the highest standard of holiness and commitment. They were not to drink wine or any grape juice. The Israelites caused the Nazirites to be unfaithful to God by influencing them to break their pledge of abstinence. They also asked the prophets not to prophesy, stopping God’s messengers from doing their work. As a result, God would bring judgement on them. God takes it very seriously when people use their influence to lead others into sin.

Prayer

Dear God, as Kingdom bringers and people called into the priesthood, we are able to bring good influence into the world. Help us to download goodness and wisdom from You, and release it to our family, friends, workplace and all relationships that we are in. In Jesus’ name, Amen.