AMOS 8:4-8 ARE YOU DISORIENTED?

4 Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land,

5 saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”—skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, 6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.

7 The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done.

8 “Will not the land tremble for this, and all who live in it mourn? The whole land will rise like the Nile; it will be stirred up and then sink like the river of Egypt.

In the experience of Amos, although Israel was to witness to God’s generosity and righteousness, the market place demonstrated quite a different story. The God-ordained festivals and designated worship times were seen as distractions from the task of gaining wealth. Neighbors were not treated compassionately as brothers, but as means for making a profit. Having disconnected themselves from the Lord, the Israelites had turned their world on its head.

The clear message of Scripture is that we are to keep God first in our lives, followed by our neighbors and only then do we consider our desires. This “me-third” attitude is something we attempt to teach our children, but how often do we examine our own lives under that lens? We are so conditioned by our understanding of the biblical history of Israel that we easily jump to a verdict of guilty of apostasy and oppression when we read the prophets. Yet, what would you think if Amos then turned back to us and said, “You are the ones”?

Israel might not have been the witness God ordained them to be, but God is none-the-less using them as a witness to us. Are we any better at honoring the Sabbath or participating in opportunities for corporate worship? Or do we try to fit God in around all our other activities? Are we mindful of God throughout our day and allow his precepts to guide our decision-making? Do we look at people as fellow human beings created in the image of God or as potential clients, favorable connections, support personnel or even shun some as liabilities? When reading the prophets’ words to Israel, perhaps that is the proper time to take a “me-first” approach.

Lord Jesus, you suffered and died on the cross for my sins in order that I might be reconciled to God. In my life, may my focus be on you and the good of my neighbor, while in my examination of my life give me the eyes to recognize, take responsibility for and repent of my sins. Save me from my natural hard-heartedness and grow your compassion within me. Amen.