6This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Israel,
even for four, I will not relent.
They sell the innocent for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals.
7They trample on the heads of the poor
as on the dust of the ground
and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
and so profane my holy name.
8They lie down beside every altar
on garments taken in pledge.
In the house of their god
they drink wine taken as fines. (Amos 2)
Thoughts: Amos was a shepherd who prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel at the height of its wealth and power. He was a contemporary of Isaiah who prophesied to the southern kingdom of Judah.
Amos rebuked the nation of Israel for being a nation who valued comfort and feeling above all things- even above each other. Sandals are valued more than people, and justice is less important than silver. Their love of comfort shows in sexual immorality- denying even common sense boundaries. They don't care where they drink or what they drink- and they force the Nazarites (who vowed not to drink) to imbibe. Everyone had to approve of their immorality so that they would not feel guilty. But God did not approve, and God cared that they not treat the poor like dirt.
Today, ironically, we have a semblance of caring for the poor. But it is the middle class that are being made poor. It is a sad thing to watch educated people become poor because they value education and education has been made out of reach financially. Universities are putting students in five star hotels and middle class families cannot afford this- but the students can get all the student loans they want because of the largess of the government loans (which they cannot pay back easily). Alcohol and drug abuse are epidemics- so that everyone in American complains we have lost the war on drugs. Sexual immorality has turned morality on its head. Now it is seen as wrong to even object to sexual immorality- or protest against adultery or sexuality outside of marriage. The slide of America into a moral mudpit is steep and astounding. If Amos were around today- he would say similar things. Deja Vu all over again.
Amos rebuked the nation of Israel for being a nation who valued comfort and feeling above all things- even above each other. Sandals are valued more than people, and justice is less important than silver. Their love of comfort shows in sexual immorality- denying even common sense boundaries. They don't care where they drink or what they drink- and they force the Nazarites (who vowed not to drink) to imbibe. Everyone had to approve of their immorality so that they would not feel guilty. But God did not approve, and God cared that they not treat the poor like dirt.
Today, ironically, we have a semblance of caring for the poor. But it is the middle class that are being made poor. It is a sad thing to watch educated people become poor because they value education and education has been made out of reach financially. Universities are putting students in five star hotels and middle class families cannot afford this- but the students can get all the student loans they want because of the largess of the government loans (which they cannot pay back easily). Alcohol and drug abuse are epidemics- so that everyone in American complains we have lost the war on drugs. Sexual immorality has turned morality on its head. Now it is seen as wrong to even object to sexual immorality- or protest against adultery or sexuality outside of marriage. The slide of America into a moral mudpit is steep and astounding. If Amos were around today- he would say similar things. Deja Vu all over again.
Prayer: Lord, help me to walk in your ways in a time when many have turned away. Help me to value people above things and selfishness.
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