Wednesday
Wednesday
The Message of Amos
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24
Amos was the first of the eighth-century writing prophets. His fierce denunciations were uttered when Jeroboam II was king of Israel. This second Jeroboam had succeeded in restoring Israel’s frontiers almost to what they had been during the reigns of David and Solomon. Peace had brought prosperity, and prosperity luxury. There was also a religious boom, as the local sanctuaries were crowded with worshipers.
But alongside these externals the nation suffered from a profound social and moral decay. In every sphere of society Amos saw evils that needed to be exposed. In the law courts magistrates trampled on the face of the poor, for justice had to be bought with bribes (v. 12). In the marketplace merchants were guilty of “skimping the measure” and “boosting the price” (8:5). In upper-class mansions the wealthy were indulging in luxurious living, eating, and drinking, while ignoring the plight of the poor (4:1; 6:4–6). And in the sanctuaries worshipers were longing for the festivals to be over so that they could get back to their buying and selling (8:5).
One may perhaps single out in Amos’s teaching one particular distinctive. Amos insisted that privilege brings responsibility, not immunity to the judgment of God. This is well illustrated in the opening two chapters of Amos’s prophecy. He warned of God’s judgment on the six surrounding nations—Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab. One can easily imagine the growing enthusiasm of the crowd. But suddenly Amos added God’s coming judgment on Judah and Israel too. True, they were God’s chosen and covenant people, but this would bring punishment, not immunity to it. It is a solemn warning to us too:
You only have I chosen
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your sins.
Amos 3:2
For further reading: Amos 5:18–24