Amo 2:4 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked.

                                                      

Because they have despised the law of the LORD - Judah's sin was that they despised and disobeyed the law of the LORD. God blessed His people with His law and commandments and He expected them to honour and obey His word (Romans 2:13). 

Their lies caused them to err - Their lies led them astray. They followed lies, were idolaters, and followed false prophets rather than those sent by Jehovah. 

After the which their fathers have walked – The lies continued from one generation to another. 

Why So Many Are Following Lies?

1. MISGUIDED: They are led astray by false teachers. “For the leaders of this people cause them to err;” (Isaiah 9:16).

2. SIN: Because of sin, they choose to believe a lie. “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10).

3. IGNORANCE: They fail to study and know the scripture. “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

4. COVETOUSNESS: Many turn religion into a profitable business. “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18).

5. LAZINESS: They are too lazy to check if the teachings are true or false. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

6. BAD ATTITUDE: They don’t think doctrines are important and so they ignore them. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9). 

The law of God is holy, just, and good and the righteous choose to walk in it: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Since the word of God brings us truth, when we despise and disobey God's word we naturally embrace and follow lies. You can't reject the truth without grabbing hold of a lie. 

Parents who believe a lie pass it down to their children. We are not to follow the fathers in error, but must follow the word of God alone. Therefore, we are commanded to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). It means a thorough search, a close examination of the word of God. Don’t believe everything you read or hear; search the scriptures. A diligent search requires a diligent study on the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). One will never be able to derive at the truth until he begins to study the scriptures diligently and with an honest heart. 

The folks in Berea “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They were listening to the apostle Paul, and wanted to make sure what he was saying lined up with the teachings of the Old Testament. Perhaps Paul was telling them that there was evidence in the Old Testament that the Messiah would suffer, die, and be risen. They needed to verify that with the source. They had an honest desire to know the truth. 

Those who sincerely want to know the truth will find it. Do you want to know the truth? “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.