Reaping and Sowing

Bible Study

Amos 5:6-13 ESV

When I read (reread) this scripture I realized I could write an entire book about the first part of Amos 5:6. I don’t remember a time when God/Jesus haven’t been part of my life. I’ve been told I went to the church nursery when I was very small.

When I was around four years old we started going to a new church. That church is where I grew up. I remember having wonderful Sunday School Teachers. I especially remember my kindergarten Sunday School teacher. I knew she loved me. Looking back I know she was the feet and hands of Jesus.

Amos 5:6-13 tells us , “Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth! He who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is his name; who makes destruction flash forth against the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress.They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.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.For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.”

A second time (from Amos 4-5) Amos repeats “Seek the Lord and live,” to reiterate who gives real life…eternal life. It feels like a plea coming from God’s great love for creation. God can not only see…God can feel creation and in it their injustice turns to wormwood. God can feel their injustice, and knows they are UN-just. It was God alone who created the universe and the stars, morning and night, sea and surface; no one can stand against God.

Can you see what Amos sees as he writes? This is God…the God who stands at the gate and speaks truth.

This is God who sees Israel trampling the poor with taxation as they build fancy homes to live in. But, Amos sees the truth that Israel will not live in their fancy houses. They will not drink wine from their vineyards because of their egregious behavior.

Amos reminds Israel that evil begets evil and God sees how they treat the needy.

The prophet warns those who don’t show care to hold their tongues.

Evil is coming.

Evil is coming to the unjust in Israel.

Yes…God loves Israel but selfish injustice will not be tolerated.

That’s why Amos warns the few who oppose injustice to keep silent. This is the time for justice and each will get their own share. Each will reap what they have sown.

Deborah

@acrazyjourney.com