Slices
Prepare
As you read today’s passage, ask God to show how Amos’ words spoken against Israel apply to you today.
Bible passage
Judgment on Israel
6 This 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.
7 They 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.
8 They lie down beside every altar
on garments taken in pledge.
In the house of their god
they drink wine taken as fines.
9 ‘Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them,
though they were tall as the cedars
and strong as the oaks.
I destroyed their fruit above
and their roots below.
10 I brought you up out of Egypt
and led you for forty years in the wilderness
to give you the land of the Amorites.
11 ‘I also raised up prophets from among your children
and Nazirites from among your youths.
Is this not true, people of Israel?’
declares the Lord.
12 ‘But you made the Nazirites drink wine
and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
13 ‘Now then, I will crush you
as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14 The swift will not escape,
the strong will not muster their strength,
and the warrior will not save his life.
15 The archer will not stand his ground,
the fleet-footed soldier will not get away,
and the horseman will not save his life.
16 Even the bravest warriors
will flee naked on that day,’
declares the Lord.
Explore
Have you ever seen a bird of prey circling above? These majestic birds patiently bide their time as they scan the land below waiting for the right moment to swoop. Amos has, like a bird of prey, circled around Israel but, in today’s passage, he now lands firmly on their territory. This shepherd from the south brings God’s stinging displeasure of Israel, the kingdom of the north. The surrounding nations were judged for a variety of sins but the heart of Israel’s sins is a shocking oppression of the poor. Why might this have occurred?
Amos points to the fact that Israel was a precious and special people who were rescued from Egypt and given their own Law and their own land (v 10). And yet, Israel has forgotten these privileges and God’s care for them, and has moved far from the ways of the Lord. They were once slaves and in desperate need and were given so much and yet they now treat the most vulnerable among them with contempt, as they ‘trample on the heads of the poor’ (v 7). This deeply grieves God’s heart, and judgement for such treatment is on its way.
Respond
Care for the poor and needy is a central call for believers today. Is this a call you and your church have actively responded to? Are there practical ways you could serve the vulnerable of your community
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Song of Songs 7,8; Psalms 99–101
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for all the stories of young people encountering Jesus over the summer events. Over 48 events (with 4 to go), we have seen 1,500 children and young people attend holidays and festival villages, with a similar number at beach missions. Pray that every seed sown will bear fruit.
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