Friday 02 July 2010

Background

Although we tend to read a book like Amos as one single piece ofunbroken writing, it is perhaps more helpful to think of it as aseries of linked oracles, but with gaps where the response of thehearers was assessed. In this case it appears that the warningswent unheeded, because in this passage they are repeated in evenmore stark and solemn terms.

The charges are the same as before in the book of Amos: the richare exploiting the poor while trying to maintain the appearance ofreligious piety. Very neatly Amos describes the corrupt businesspractices that God hated - selling reduced amounts of inferiorgoods for inflated prices. "We will make the ephah (the unit ofmeasure) small and the shekel (the price) great, and practisedeceit with false balances."

God takes an interest in economics and business it seems. Whatwould Amos have to say to our discredited banking and financialinstitutions today? 'Fair trade' is something to be taken veryseriously - as God does. To disregard such things, says Amos, is torisk disaster. Perhaps the wealthy West is discovering this todayto our cost.

The consequences of such disobedience to the clearly-revealed willof God are described in ever more apocalyptic terms - "On that day,says the Lord God, I will make the sun go down at noon, and darkenthe earth in broad daylight". And, perhaps worst of all, they willhave no more chance to repent and change their ways, because theprophet will speak no more and the word of the Lord will be but acold silence. And then it will be too late.

To Ponder

Amos' most serious prophetic warnings areaddressed to those who get rich at the expense of the poor. This,above all, incurs God's anger. Is this something we take seriouslyenough?

If we do take this seriously, how might it showin our words and actions?

Do you think it is ever too late to repent?Why?