Amos: Seek The Lord and LiveНамуна

Here Amos attacks the complacency of the wealthy. It is clear that it is the leaders of society, the ‘notable men’, who take his hardest hit (v. 1). The problem is not that they are wealthy but that they don’t care about injustice and that they proudly think that they’re secure. 

Amos quotes these elite men in verse 2. They are telling the people to compare themselves to other poorer nations. That’s always a good way to boost your self-esteem! 

Amos then attacks them for their uncaring wealth in verses 4–6. They lie in opulence, eat only the finest foods and think that the songs they write are as good as David’s! They may enjoy luxury and drink wine not from glasses but bowls! But they don’t grieve over the ruin of the nation (v. 6). Once again they are told that they turn justice and righteousness into poison and bitterness (v. 12). 

The Lord hates their smug sense of security in their own resources (v. 8). It will not save them from God’s judgment (vv. 9–10). 

Here is a word primarily for those who exercise power in this world. You will be held to account by the Lord for your indifference to those who are poorest. Crucially nor can your wealth protect you! 

I read recently that a number of Californian tech billionaires are buying up land in remote parts of New Zealand to flee to in the case of a nuclear holocaust. Well, good luck in outrunning a nuclear missile! It seems such a silly plan. Yet, do you ever find yourself thinking, ‘I need more money in the bank to be secure. If I had one month’s savings in the bank, I’d feel safer … If I had one year’s savings … Phew, I have the bank of mum and dad to fall back on’?

Reflection

What is your confidence in? Verse 8 reminds us that the only place of security is the Lord.