Need to Prepare

¹² “This is why I will deal with you in this way, Isra’el; and because I will deal with you in this way, prepare to meet your God, Isra’el – ¹³ him who forms mountains and creates wind, who declares to humankind his thoughts, who turns the morning to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth – Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot is his name.”

It seems apparent that the Israelites were asking God to appear on their behalf in a great day of vindication, making them the rulers of the world. Amos says they are about to meet … God, but not at all in the way they expect. Amos uses lyrical poetry to underline the seriousness of the situation. Isra’el is not dealing with some local mountain deity. They are about to come face to face with the Creator of the universe, the Lord, the God of hosts. One way God manifests His greatness over the false gods of the pagans is that He alone knows all thoughts, and therefore He declares to man what His thoughts are (cf. Daniel 2:27-28; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

Cry Against Injustice

5 ¹ Hear this word that I take up against you in lament, house of Isra’el: ² The virgin of Isra’el has fallen; she will not rise again. She lies abandoned on her own soil with no one to lift her up. ³ For thus says Adonai Elohim: “The city from which a thousand marched will be left with a hundred, and the one from which a hundred marched will be left with ten from the house of Isra’el.” ⁴ For here is what Adonai says to the house of Isra’el: “If you seek me, you will survive; ⁵ but don’t seek Beit-El, or enter Gilgal or pass on into Be’er-Sheva; for Gilgal will certainly go into exile, and Beit-El will come to nothing.” ⁶ If you seek Adonai, you will survive. Otherwise, he will break out against the house of Yosef like fire, devouring Beit-El, with no one to quench the flames. ⁷ You who turn justice to bitter wormwood and throw righteousness to the ground!

The prophet laments over Isra’el’s downfall; only one soldier in ten will be spared. Even yet, the people should not seek the cities where the idol shrines were (Beit-El, Be’er-Sheva, Gilgal); they should seek the Lord and live.

⁸ He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who brings deathlike shadows over the morning, who darkens the day into night, who calls for the water in the sea and with it floods the earth – Adonai is his name – ⁹ he flashes destruction on the strong, so that destruction overcomes the fortress. ¹⁰ They hate anyone promoting justice at the city gate; they detest anyone who speaks the truth. ¹¹ Therefore, because you trample on the poor and extort from them levies of grain, although you have built houses of cut stone, you will not live in them; and though you have planted pleasant vineyards, you will not drink their wine. ¹² For I know how numerous are your crimes and how outrageous your sins – bullying the innocent, extorting ransoms, pushing the poor aside at the gate. 13 At times like these, a prudent person stays silent, for it is an evil time.

Otherwise, the Lord who made the constellations Pleiades and Orion and rules the universe will pour out His wrath upon them for their lack of justice and righteousness. The sinners of Isra’el hated a righteous man who reproved them and abhorred an honest man. Because they had grown rich dishonestly, they would not be permitted to enjoy their wealth.

¹⁴ Seek good and not evil, so that you will survive. Then Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot will be with you, as you say he is. ¹⁵ Hate evil, love good, and uphold justice at the gate. Maybe Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot will take pity on the survivors of Yosef.

A repetition of the call to repent. Perhaps makes the point that even repentance does not obligate God to be gracious.

Day of the Lord

¹⁶ Therefore, thus says Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, Adonai: “In all public squares there will be lamentation, in all the streets they will cry, ‘Oh, no!’ They will summon farmers to mourn and professional mourners to wail. ¹⁷ There will be wailing in every vineyard, for I will pass through among you,” says Adonai. ¹⁸ Woe to you who want the Day of Adonai! Why do you want it, this Day of Adonai? It is darkness, not light; ¹⁹ as if someone were to run from a lion, just to be met by a bear; as if he entered a house, put his hand on the wall, just to be bitten by a snake. ²⁰ Won’t the Day of Adonai be darkness, not light, completely dark, with no brightness at all? [1]

Although Isra’el could have returned to God, the fact is that they would not. As a result, Amos announces that a great funeral cry of wailing … mourning … lamentation will go up all over the land from the streets of the cities to the vineyards in the countryside. I will pass through your midst. People hoped that the day of the Lord would mean judgment against Isra’el’s enemies. But it involves universal judgment on sinners, including Isra’el.

As you navigate public life, whether on social media or in community interactions, let the injustices highlighted in Amos spur you into action. Be a voice for the marginalized in your circle by advocating for fairness and equity. Start conversations that highlight the importance of social justice and the call for corporate repentance. Lead by example in your interactions, showing grace and integrity in challenging conversations. Host forums or discussion groups that educate others on current issues, driving home the biblical call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

In our next post, we will continue to learn more about the Prophecy of ‘Amos.

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[1] Amos 4:12 – 5:20.