Year 9, Day 228: Amos 6

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Amos 6 is a tremendous prophetic passage.  It challenges us deeply to consider the human condition.  It pushes us until we look in the mirror and recognize what we see.  It causes us to make sure we understand what sin looks like.

Amos’ primary issue – or perhaps it is fairer to say God’s primary issue spoken through Amos – are the people who seem content to let the Hebrew culture slide into unrighteousness.  The first and sixth verses of this chapter sets the tone.  Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Zion ... but are not grieved over the ruin of Zion.  God is bothered that the people are content to live in luxury without caring that their community is sliding into spiritual and ethical disrepair!

There are a couple of ways to think about this passage.  First, look at the human condition.  What do humans want?  We pursue our idols because we think if we can obtain them we will be able to live in ease.  We want a boatload of money because it will mean the cessation of work.  We want fancy things because it will prove our worth to our neighbors.  We want positions of power because it means we give orders and not take them.  Yet, so often we don’t care about the costs of our pursuit.  What are we willing to compromise on our journey to idolatry?

This doesn’t quite reach the full meaning of Amos.  This passage isn’t just a wailing against the human condition.  God says that what troubles Him is that people are not grieved by it.  It’s one thing to do it.  It’s another thing to see it happen.  It’s still another thing to see it and not even feel sorrow for it.

The thing is human beings are human beings.  We cannot force another person into righteousness.  You can lead horses to water, but you cannot make them drink.  Ever human has free will.  While we cannot force society to choose wisely, we can be grieved by a society that chooses poorly.  The Hebrew people are missing this element.  There is no grief for the fall of their society.  They are going along rather happily.  This has God – and Amos – grieved.

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