Wealth and Povertyනියැදිය

An unmerciful society

“Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.” (Amos 5:11 ESV)

Things are not going well in Israel. The broad outlines of this people's history show signs of decline. During this period of decline, prophets emerged with messages from God. Amos is one of them. He exposes the injustices in the society of his day.

The Ten Commandments of the Torah are not being observed. What God considers beneficial for the people is now viewed differently by the ruling class. God commanded a society in which land and livestock had to be returned to the heirs at fixed times through inheritance law. But that is now a thing of the past. All of God's beautiful precepts are being disregarded. The situation is only getting worse.

The poor are oppressed. They are burdened with heavy taxes payable in grain. Their children are sold for a pittance. When justice is demanded, the verdict always favours the rich. A peaceful society with a fair distribution of wealth has fallen apart.

The deepest problem is that everything is justified under the guise of religion.

It is a miracle that God speaks through Amos in this society, issuing a powerful call to seek the Lord and find life.

Our society has its dark sides, too. How is Amos's message relevant today?