Today’s Old Testament reading from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer for this week brings us to the Book of Amos the prophet. It is not an easy passage to read or receive, as the Lord did not mince any words in the message He gave to the people. He did not soften nor hold back what He had to say, and the people were not happy to receive this warning from Amos. Let’s look at what God’s Word has to say to us today.
The prophet Amos lived in the 8th century BC, and his brief ministry took place approximately around 765 - 755 BC. Though he was believed to have been from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Amos’ ministry was to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Before he was called to bring God’s Word to the northern kingdom, Amos was both a sheep herder and a sycamore fig farmer, which he probably returned to doing after his brief ministry ended.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was a rather affluent country, and many of its people were financially well-off. The unified Kingdom had split into two several years after the death of King Solomon in 930 BC, and the people of the Northern Kingdom began to turn their backs on Yahweh and worship pagan idols almost immediately. Many combined the worship of Yahweh with paganism, thinking that was alright, which certainly wasn’t. God sent Amos to these people, and he had a strong message for them. Despite their eternal success, Israel was spiritually bankrupt.
As our Scripture passage begins, Amos preached against how the wealthy of the land were exploiting the poor (vs. 4-6). He condemned the merchants for their dishonest practices, such as manipulating weights and measures in order to sell less but be paid for more, and also for selling inferior goods. He also came down hard on them for the fact that though they outwardly were observing the Sabbath rest, they were inwardly restlessly impatient to get back to their businesses in order to make more money. This was hypocrisy, and showed no love or true worship of God.
God sees through our outward religious observances. He knows if we are just going through the motions of worship, but our hearts are somewhere else. He also sees how we conduct our business affairs, and knows if we are true and honest, or are corrupt and wicked. True worship must be accompanied by righteousness. Amos’ words are a rebuke to any society that prioritizes profits over people, and is a call to uphold God’s justice. As Amos said, God saw what they were doing, and He was not going to forget.
As we continue, Amos warns the people that God has sworn that His judgment will come (vs. 7-10). This was not just something symbolic, this was literal and was irrevocable. God was going to send some natural events in judgment of the people’s sins, such as earthquakes and darkened skies. These were real events, as there was a major earthquake during the ministry of Amos. Their happy, carefree life would turn to lamentation, with death, silence, and grief.
God’s judgment is not metaphorical as some claim it is. No, it is actually real and it will be terrifying if it comes against you. The moral decay of the northern Kingdom of Israel brought divine retribution, and where so many nations of the world today are standing, God’s judgment may come, too, if they don’t repent and turn to Him for mercy.
As Amos concludes this portion of his message from the Lord, we read how there will be a famine for God’s Word (vs. 11-12). Throughout history there have been many nations who have had deadly famines, where large portions of their population die of starvation, or at the least, people go hungry for long periods of time. During these times people wander the country looking for anything that they can eat. Amos prophesied that the people here would face famine - not of actual food, but instead a famine for the truth, for God’s Word. They will seek it, but not be able to find it. People will wander, searching for answers, but it will be too late. When a nation rejects God’s Word, He may withdraw it. This is a judgment worse than physical hunger, as the Bible is the only source of truth.
In many places there is a famine of hearing the Word of God. This includes in many churches. Many today preach on only the issues that the world wants to hear, what they feel is important, to the exclusion of the Gospel of salvation. People are looking for things to make their life more enjoyable. They are searching for peace in their hearts, but they are looking in the wrong places. They are running to and fro, trying to find their way. The Bible tells us to look to Jesus.
Amos’ message is for us, today, as well as the people in his own day. Don’t just go through religious motions. Instead, live out your faith with integrity. Stand against any exploitation you see, and uphold righteousness in your dealings. And most importantly, cherish God’s Word, the Bible. Study it and obey it. Never take it for granted. A famine of God’s truth is the most dangerous famine of all.
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