Amos 5:6-7, 10-15

Amos was a humble herdsman whose life was devoted to serving the Lord, and his life-style reflected this devotion.  He was not the son of a prophet or the son of a priest, just an ordinary person who loved God.  His name means burden or burden-bearer.  Amos’  lifewould have easier if hehad just stayed in Tekoa,  providing for his family by tending sheep and also caring for fig trees in the Judean countryside.  But God gave Amos a vision of the future and told him to take his message to Israel, the northern kingdom.  So Amos obeyed, and thus his name became his life.

The prophet carried a very serious message to Israel.  Amos spoke God’s judgment on nation after nation around Israel’s borders and moved on to speak against Israel and even Judah. The first chapter of Amos contains a grisly account of the Ammonites ripping open pregnant women in order to expand their own territory.  God is not pleased and promises vengeance.  The second chapter describes God’s anger with both Israel and Judah for a host of transgressions: selling the poor as slaves, exploiting the poor, engaging in sexual sins, taking illegal collateral for loans, and worshiping false gods.  The third chapter describes violence and oppression in Israel and Judah because they no longer know how to do what is right.  God warns the people through Amos the burden-bearer, but they do not listen.  Chapter four compares Israel’s wealthy women to the “cows” of Bashan – pampered, sleek and well-fed (Psalm 22:12).  These women are blamed for causing their wealthy husbands to oppress the poor in order to support their rich lifestyles.  Chapter five is almost shocking because Amos sings a song of lament which sounds as though Israel has already been destroyed.  The Israelites believe their wealth and rituals make them secure, but Amos sadly tells them that their laws and courts have become places of greed and injustice.  “Seek the Lord and live, or God will break out against the house of Joseph like fire.”  (Amos 5: 6)  “They hate the one who reproves at the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth (Amos 5:10.

This timely lesson is a cry for justice for our day and time.  The poor and abused are often defenseless victims of domestic violence without advocates or money enough to be heard or protected by our court systems.  As people of faith we are called to ensure that these victims of violence receive justice at the gates of our courts.  The burden-bearer Amos is still speaking to us today!

By Rev. Shadra Suzanne Shoffner, former pastor, Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Burlington