AMOS: Prophet of Justice and Righteousness -- Chapter 5

                                                                   

                                                      AMOS 5                                                                                      AMOS:  PROPHET OF JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS       

Where have you heard:  "Prepare to meet your God?"  Did you know it comes from Amos 4:12? One day each of us will meet face to face with God and give account of our lives. If God would ask:  "Why should I let you into Heaven?", what would you answer? The Good News is, through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, we are we are forgiven, if we accept his as Lord and Savior and his gift of life. Amos picks up this theme in chapter 5.

Even as God brings judgment, right in the middle of Amos, God offers to forgive and provide a way of escaping from the impending judgment.  Read Amos 5. (If you haven't read the previous chapters, do so now.)  Come back to me and live! (v.4) Come back to the Lord and live! (v. 6). Note especially v. 14-15.    

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so, the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be with you, just as you have said.  Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. (NRSV) 

One of the most graphic illustrations of God’s Judgment is the term, day of the Lord (v. 5:18). This is the first time the term is used in the Bible.  The people of Israel thought that the day of the Lord, was the day in which God would come and it would be a time of peace and prosperity, light and life.  God’s message through, Amos, was that the day of the Lord was not what they expected.  Instead of light, it would darkness and gloom (v. 16).  Punctuating the message, Amos uses another metaphor.    It is as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into a house and leaned with his hands against the wall, and a serpent bit him (v. 19).        

                           

The message is clear.  Though the wealthy live in prosperity, playing at religion and nauseating worship, God will not accept their offerings or listen to their music.  INSTEAD, what God wants to see is:  Justice roll on like a river, Righteousness like a never-failing stream. (v. 24) Note, the theme of Amos is Justice and Righteousness.  Memorize v. 24.  This verse along with the Plumb line are ways of remembering the theme of Amos.                 

God wants sincere hearts and lives that Reflect the Heart of Jesus.  Do we treat the poor and needy as Jesus did and the way God treats us? 

Pray:

Ask God to give you a genuine attitude of worship and openness to hearing God’s message and courage to apply it in your daily live.