The time is near for a special kind of famine. This famine isn’t of bread or water but of “hearing the words of the Lord” (verse 11b). We have ‘followed’ the course of time with man since God first created him. During his time on earth, God has spoken with individual people. He has sent […]
Amos is confronted by “Amaziah the priest of Bethel.” He does NOT like what Amos is saying! He tells Amos to GO HOME and preach in Judah but leave Israel alone. The very first thing I noticed is that God is absent in Amaziah’s response and assignment. THAT was the crux of the problem right […]
God shows Amos three different visions of destruction for the land of Israel. Amos’ cry for mercy is answered twice as God relented. But the third time stands firm. This story reminds me of when Abram was bartering with God to spare Sodom and Gomora. God listened to Abram’s heart each time he brought the […]
At the time that Amos is speaking for the Lord to the northern kingdom of Israel, they are prosperous. They are not encountering drought or starvation. They are happy with how things are in their lives. They don’t have a reason to change. There is nothing to cry out in anguish against. They are even […]
The day of the Lord, that dark day, is coming. In Amos’ time, it was the capture and exile of the people of Israel. In our time… The first words in our reading have me digging deeper to find what God means by them. “Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why […]