Exposition - Amos 6:1-7

Today, we look at Amos’ leading charge, which he directs against the leading men of Israel:

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

2 Go to Kalneh and look at it;go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours?

3 You put off the day of disaster and bring near a reign of terror. 4 You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. 5 You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. 6 You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

Amos 6:1-7 (NIV)

6:1 Amos’ prophetic warning started with the pagan nations around Israel, Amos 1, before then focusing on Judah and Israel, Amos 2. He then addressed Israel as a ‘family, and severely calling out the Matriarchs, Amos 3-4. In chapter 5, his charge was addressed to the ‘house of Israel’, but all along he has been building towards his leading charge against Israel’s northern leaders, the men. This verse opens Amos’ charge against ‘the notable men of the foremost nation’.

6:2 Amos scorns their pride; even the most casual observation will demonstrate that you are no better off than any of the other nations around you.

6:3-7 And finally, Amos produces his evidence. In 4:1, he scolded the powerful women who lived off their husband’s luxury and bullied the poor. Now he addresses the men! They are rich and powerful with food, drink and music in abundance, but they are spiritual paupers; ‘they do not grieve over the ruin of Israel’. While they lounge in their wealth, God’s people are in spiritual ruin and suffering horrible injustices. The reference to David touches the heart of Amos’ charge against Israel: Davidic worship psalms sung by drunken men to music on a harp while the poor strive to exist in the streets outside.

Amos 6:6 – What do you grieve over?