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Allen Domelle

Seeking the Wrong Thing




Amos 5:5-6

But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.
 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live;…

Amos lamented the fact that Israel was fallen. It broke the prophet’s heart that the place where God blessed was now a forsaken place. He came and told them not to seek Bethel, Gilgal, or Beersheba, but he implored them to Seek the LORD. Amos understood that they were seeking the wrong thing.

In Amos’ challenge to Israel, he was not saying that Bethel was a bad place, but to seek Bethel instead of the LORD of Bethel was wrong. He was not saying that Gilgal was a bad place, but He was telling them that seeking blessings from Gilgal instead of the LORD was what was bad. He was not saying that going to Beersheba was bad, but seeking Beersheba instead of seeking God was what was bad. Amos was saying, don't seek the what, but seek the Who. He was saying, don't seek the blessing, but seek the Blesser. Each of these places have significant meanings where many today try to find God’s blessings, but seeking these places without seeking God always ends with no blessing. Let me share the significance of these places with you.

First, Bethel was the house of God. Many have come back to church to seek God’s blessings on their lives and have been disappointed. The reason for their disappointment was that church is certainly important in one’s life, but to think that you can get God’s blessings on your life without seeking God will never happen. Church will bring blessings as long as you seek the LORD while being faithful to church. Many have backslidden while being faithful to church because they didn't seek God while being faithful. Yes, be faithful, but seek God while being faithful.

Second, Gilgal was a place of separation. Many have lived a separated life from the world in hopes that they would get God’s blessings; however, separation in itself will not bring God’s blessings, but separating from the world so you can get closer to God while you seek Him is where you find His blessings. Many live a separated life and look like they ought to look, but are frauds because they don't seek God. Don’t get me wrong; you can seek God and not live a separated life and still not have God’s blessings. It is seeking God while living a separated life that brings God’s blessings.

Third, Beersheba was the place of the old paths. Many do the methods of the old paths, and they ought to, but to think the methods of the old paths will work without seeking God is foolish. Seeking God is part of the old paths. You can run bus routes, go soul winning, have Sunday school classes, have old fashioned preaching, and have music that represents the old paths, but to do these without seeking the LORD will all end without the blessing of God.

My friend, the house of God, separation, and the old paths must all be done WHILE seeking the LORD. Matthew 7:7 says, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Church attendance, separation, and the methods of the old paths are not a substitute for seeking the LORD, but all together they are what brings His blessings. If you want God’s blessings, seek the LORD while you are faithful to church, live a separated life, and walk the old paths, and you will find those blessings for which you seek.

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