Journey Through the Minor Prophets, Part 1නියැදිය

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson about Amos, our first writing prophet. It turns out this book is a great place to start getting used to the way the prophets work. You'll discover how foundational the Torah is in Amos. You'll hear judgment for Israel and Judah, along with judgment for their neighbors. You'll learn about the four 'I' words that sum up prophetic critique, and you'll hear comforting words of hope and restoration as the book concludes. Before we're done, you'll take a nice onsite excursion to a kibbutz in Israel for some background imagery on this shepherd farmer prophet from Tekoa.

Amos: In the Text

Amos articulates God’s concern for fidelity and faithfulness in our relationships with him and with those he created. When Israel tried to please God through ritual and then contribute to social injustice and inequity, the prophet's words of criticism were sharp!

Classism in Amos

I hate, I reject your festivals,

Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,

I will not accept them;

And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.

Take away from Me the noise of your songs;

I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.

But let justice roll down like waters

And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:21-24 (NASB)

While the elite in Israel celebrated with delicacies, the poor were deprived of essentials like fruit, olive oil, livestock, and land. To make matters worse, the rich demanded yet more tribute in order to hold festivals and widen the disparity between themselves and the disadvantaged.

The people at the top of society were turning God’s appointed feasts into lavish events, but they lost the meaning of holy days. Instead of bringing people closer to God and each other, the festivals became a divisive and predatory status symbol—one which God came to hate. These once sacred occasions became hollow rituals for the rich to serve themselves rather than God.

Hollow Ritual