Amos 5 (3)

Pray Psalm 106.6, 48.
We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly…
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the LORD!

Sing Psalm 106.6, 48.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
We have sinned, just like our fathers; we have done iniquity.
Just like them, our hearts have wandered; we have acted wickedly.
Refrain
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Read Amos 5.1-15; meditate on verses 10-15.

Preparation
1. What did Israel hate?

2. What should Israel have hated?

Meditation
Israel’s basic problem was not only that they loved all the wrong things; they also hated things they should have loved.

Like godly elders, ruling in the gates of the city according to the Law of God. Israel hated that and would not abide rebukes for sin from any of these judges (v. 10). Those who spoke uprightly to them—prophets—they hated. And why? Because those meddlesome prophets and judges got in the way of their sin! How can you take advantage of the poor, demand exorbitant taxes from landowners, and take bribes here and there when elders and prophets are warning you from the Law of God?

And how can you indulge in stone houses and pleasant vineyards when you trample down the poor before you trample out the grapes? Well, you can’t have busy-body preachers and do-gooders telling you you can’t have what you want, can you?

These transgressions were not paltry matters; they were “mighty sins” (v. 12). Afflicting the just with undue taxes, taking bribes to get what you want, turning away justice from the gates of the city: They hated all the wrong things. Because of the evil of the times, prudent men said nothing (v. 13).

But it was still not too late to repent (vv. 14, 15). Israel would have to recalibrate their affections, hating what they should hate and loving what they should love, and bringing back just laws to the gates of the cities. And even then, there were no guarantees (“It may be…”), so mighty were the sins of the nation. But to a remnant, God would show grace, though that grace would be a long time coming.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time” (Amos 5.13).

Let’s read about the prudent, shall we?
“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Prov. 14.15).
“The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning” (Prov. 16.21).
“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prov. 22.3).

There is a place in the Kingdom for the prudent.
Is God protecting His people from the hatred and abhorrence the wicked feel for them? (Amos 5.10
Does He know that the wicked are too far gone to even hear the words of the righteous?
Does that time ever come?

Jesus said at a certain point in His ministry: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matt. 7.6).

God is saying to the wicked: “I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins; afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate” (Amos 5.12). I know this about you.

Paul’s words on topic were this: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…” (1 Tim. 2.1-6). The prudent speak quietly through their righteous behavior (Prov. 28.4).

Whether it is prudent at this point in the life of the righteous—to deal with the wicked verbally, or not—there are truths and commandments to be kept either way.

Let’s read about those, shall we?
“Seek good and not evil, that you may live;
so the LORD God of hosts will be with you…
Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate” (Amos 5.14, 15).
Whatever. “It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant…” (Amos 5.15).

Either way, the prudent say: “Hallelujah!”

Reflection
1. Should Christians hate anything? How does Psalm 97.10 counsel us in this matter?

2. “Hate evil,” says the LORD. How would God know that you hate evil?

3. How does God reach the people in your Personal Mission Field with His grace? What does that entail?

Evil times will not bear plain dealing; that is, evil men will not. And these men were evil men indeed, when wise and good men thought it in vain even to speak to them. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Amos 5.7-17

Pray Psalm 106.44-48.
Call on the Lord to revive His people and renew His churches all over the world, that His grace may flow to the world for a great awakening to faith.

Sing Psalm 106.44-48.
(Trust in Jesus: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus)
Look upon us, LORD, with favor, see us in our sore distress!
Hear our cries, with love surround us; turn again to heal and bless!
Refrain
Blessèd be our God and Savior, evermore His praise proclaim!
Let all those who know Your favor praise Your holy, glorious Name!

Save us, LORD, from every nation; gather us from all our ways.
And we to Your Name will offer glorious thanks and endless praise!
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.