You alone I have known, among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos 3:2 NABRE
Amos speaks against Israel who think they are in good favor with God. The people have made pilgrimages to popular shrines, made voluntary offerings, giving tithes and believe they fulfilled their religious duties, putting them in good standing with God. They are living in prosperous times, which they see as proof that God is pleased with them. Material prosperity is flowing under the time of Amos and King Uzziah. But this material well-being went hand and hand with social injustice, oppression of the poor and needy, and a contradiction between formal religious acts and personal morality. The people are not helping others and worship outwardly but inwardly their hearts are self-centered and narcissistic. It is in this moment Amos prophesizes against Israel denouncing their lifestyle. Certain people are getting richer but the ranks of the poor are swelling, the rich and powerful are exploiting the poor and refusing them justice, attendance at religious ceremonies did not affect the people’s hearts; there is no resolve to amend their lives, the people are deceiving themselves, trusting in God without having grounds for doing so, and believing wrongly they are absolved of their sins.
God has demonstrated His preference for Israel but they only pay lip service to God. God wants those who have, to support those who do not have. The people think because they are favored by God their future is bright, but Amos tells us to not take advantage of God’s preference. The time Amos spoke looks familiar to how life is today, some prosperous, others suffering. Are the people who seemly are advantaged, taking advantage of the disadvantaged; we should be compassionate and loving.
What is your status with God? Do you demonstrate compassion and love?
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