Amos 5:1-27
Q.1. What hope could the false gods offer Israel? What was God’s advice and warning to His people? What had the nation overlooked about God? – (Amos 5:1-13)
All the cities where the false gods were worshiped, would be brought to nothing. God made this appeal – 4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “Seek Me that you may live… 6 “Seek the Lord that you may live, or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, and it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel (Am. 5:4 & 6). They had overlooked two significant facts in their relationship with God. He Who made the mighty universe, light and darkness, and the mighty seas is all powerful (Am. 5:8-9). Furthermore – For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate (Am. 5:12). They could conceal none of their sins from God.
Q.2. How had Israel distorted God’s message? Why did God hate their religious feasts and sacrifices? For what was He looking from His people? – (Amos 5:14-27)
Israel failed to practice what they preached – 14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you, just as you have said! 15 Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph (Am. 5:14-15). Israel had made up its own festivals and false sacrificial system (1 Kgs.12:25-33). Their religiosity made God sick – 21 “I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 “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. 23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps (Am. 5:21-23). These offerings had not been presented in the forty years of Israel’s wilderness journeys. This is what the Lord wanted from His people all along – “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Am.5:24).