Amos; Obadiah; Jonah

This Week's Reading

This week's Come, Follow Me reading invites us to explore the prophetic voices of Amos and Jonah, revealing how God speaks through His servants to call nations back to righteousness. The prophet Amos declares that the Lord reveals His secrets only to prophets because He desires judgment and mercy for all people, while Jonah illustrates God's boundless compassion even toward a wicked city like Nineveh. Together, these books teach us that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge who offers forgiveness to those who repent and turn from their evil ways. We learn that God's word is powerful enough to move hearts from hardness to humility, showing us His tender love for every soul.

Key Passages

• Amos 3:7–9 teaches that the Lord reveals His secrets only to prophets because He desires all people to know Him and live in righteousness.
• Amos 5:24–26 reminds us that God values genuine judgment and righteousness far more than empty religious rituals or idolatrous sacrifices.
• Jonah 1:1–2 shows how the Lord calls Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, demonstrating His desire for all people to turn from wickedness.
• Jonah 3:5–9 records how the people of Nineveh humbled themselves with fasting and sackcloth, asking God to spare them if they truly repented.
• Jonah 4:11 reveals God's mercy toward the many innocent lives in Nineveh, showing that He cares deeply for all who cannot distinguish right from wrong.

Questions to Ponder

1. How does Amos's teaching that God reveals His secrets only to prophets help you understand the importance of listening to spiritual guidance?
2. In what ways might your life resemble the "house of Israel" in Amos 5, offering sacrifices while neglecting true judgment and righteousness?
3. Why do you think Jonah initially resisted God's call to Nineveh, and how does his story challenge our own willingness to share the gospel with difficult people?
4. How can we apply the lesson from Jonah 4:11 to show compassion for those who seem far gone or unable to discern right from wrong?

A Thought to Take Home

These ancient scriptures remind us that God's heart is always toward mercy and redemption, not just judgment. Just as He spared Nineveh when they repented, He offers forgiveness to all of us who turn back to Him with sincere hearts. We are called to be like prophets who speak truth in love and like Jonah who learns to trust in God's infinite compassion for every soul.