18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD?
That day will be darkness, not light. 19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:18-24)
(Nimrud Ivories of cherubs from Assyria- probably taken captive 750 BC from Hebrew as has Hebrew writings referring to Yahweh. Amos condemned the ivory inlaid luxury that neglected the poor)
Thoughts: The worship in Amos' day is a bit like the worship of those maffia bosses who think they can kill, foster prostitution, push drugs, and then come to church- say a few repeated prayers and then start over again. God wants justice and compassion on the needy. He does not want people who seek to enthrone themselves and preserve their false security and temporary wealth at the expense of apathy toward neighbor. Worship is enhanced by caring for neighbor. Worship is NOT just the songs with the best beat, the great knowledge, and the right liturgy. Jesus always taught about the heart of the matter- which shows with holy love. This is not love without holiness; or a false sense of justice without holiness. But holiness-justice-and love together. The Day of the Lord is a day when evil is condemned. Amos reminds us that we need
Prayer: Give me a heart like your heart- O God. A heart of love and compassionate, merciful hands that reach out to my needy neighbor.
That day will be darkness, not light. 19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:18-24)
(Nimrud Ivories of cherubs from Assyria- probably taken captive 750 BC from Hebrew as has Hebrew writings referring to Yahweh. Amos condemned the ivory inlaid luxury that neglected the poor)Thoughts: The worship in Amos' day is a bit like the worship of those maffia bosses who think they can kill, foster prostitution, push drugs, and then come to church- say a few repeated prayers and then start over again. God wants justice and compassion on the needy. He does not want people who seek to enthrone themselves and preserve their false security and temporary wealth at the expense of apathy toward neighbor. Worship is enhanced by caring for neighbor. Worship is NOT just the songs with the best beat, the great knowledge, and the right liturgy. Jesus always taught about the heart of the matter- which shows with holy love. This is not love without holiness; or a false sense of justice without holiness. But holiness-justice-and love together. The Day of the Lord is a day when evil is condemned. Amos reminds us that we need
Prayer: Give me a heart like your heart- O God. A heart of love and compassionate, merciful hands that reach out to my needy neighbor.
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