Articles
Woe to Those Who Are at Ease
“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria” (Amos 6:1 NASB). Thus, the prophet Amos begins a second oracle of woe. To American Christian ears, this sounds strange. For most Americans, life's goal is to feel at ease and secure. When either of these is missing, we think something is wrong. The NIV translates the opening of this woe, “Woe to you who are complacent” (Amos 6:1 NIV11). Ease and security breed complacency.
Rome fought two long and bitter wars with Carthage. Carthage was a great rival for control of the Mediterranean. At the height of the republic, Rome annihilated Carthage. Roman poets and philosophers feared the elimination of this great rival. Some Romans thought it was a poison that would destroy the republic; Catullus said, "idleness has destroyed both kings and blessed cities before." After the republic fell and emperors ruled Rome, Juvenal wrote, "Now we are suffering the evils of a long peace; a luxury crueler than wars hangs over us and takes its revenge on a conquered world." Without a challenging rival, the populace became complacent and accepted the rule of emperors as long as they were kept wealthy and secure. Complacency led to a slow decline.
Like Rome, Israel was destroyed by a life of ease and security. Amos rebuked Israel, saying, "You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” (Amos 6:4-6 NIV11)
A relatively new Christian observed that Israel, in their wealth, only cared about partying. That is accurate. Since the only things that mattered to them were comfort and security, they became complacent and did not listen to the warnings God sent through his prophets. A life of ease calloused their hearts, and they did not care who they hurt to maintain their wealth and comfort. Amos said in his first sermon, “They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed.” (Amos 2:7 NIV11)
We should fear a life of ease and safety.
The author of Hebrews reminded Jewish Christians that trouble and trials are from God. He wrote, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.” (Hebrews 12:7 NIV11) This is key to understanding why ease and security are bad for us. Hardship is training that makes us stronger. One cannot be a marathon runner without training. A good soldier endures boot camp. A scholar is not made without hours of study and challenging reading. A strong Christian is made through enduring hardship. If we are without difficulty, it may be a sign that God is not training us. The author of Hebrews asks,
"And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV11)
Trials are unpleasant. God understands. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV11)
Are we willing to endure God's discipline to become righteous people at peace with God?
A life of ease is a poison that will kill us. James urged us to consider hardship and trials a blessing. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV11)
We admire mature and strong disciples who became such by enduring the hardships of life. If left untested, we will drift away at the first difficult moment. Brothers and sisters, strive not for a life of ease.
Woe to those who are at ease and secure in New Israel!
