To understand the message of the prophet Amos, we need a little review of history. The editors of the New Oxford Annotated Study Bible offer this summary:

During the long and peaceful reign of Jeroboam II (786-746 BC) Israel attained a height of territorial expansion and nation prosperity never again reached. The military security and economic affluence which characterized this age were taken by many Israelites a sign of the Lord’s special favor that they felt they deserved because of their extravagant support of the official shrines.

Into this scene stepped the prophet Amos, probably sometime during the decade 760-750 BC. A native of the small Judean village of Tekoa, Amos was called by God from a shepherd’s task to the difficult mission of preaching harsh words in a smooth season. He denounced Israel, as well as its neighbors, for reliance on military might, and for grave injustice in social dealings, abhorrent immorality, and shallow, meaningless piety.

Is that a history lesson or a mirror that reflects back on our day and time? A good question to ask while reading Amos.

Amos 5:11-15

¹¹ Therefore because you trample on the poor
and take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
¹² For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe
and push aside the needy in the gate.
¹³ Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time,
for it is an evil time.

¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ 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.

Prayer

God my Maker, help me to examine the deeds of my life, and to live in such a manner that your goodness will be felt by me and those around me. Amen.