Amos Pulls No Punches

Amos 8:1-12

It is interesting that the books of the Old Testament, although comprising our weekly readings in the church setting, are often neglected when it comes to preaching. Perhaps this is because of the language used which may appear offensive to some. Perhaps we think that those stories only applied to those people at that time. We’re more sophisticated and better educated than that! And yes, perhaps that kind of thinking is true to a large degree.

However, if we take a good look at what the prophets say, and for this week it is Amos, we note that he points to non-specific issues. He speaks in more general terms, things that have happened in past generations and continue up to this day – persecution and injustice. He points to the facts that under such regimes (and that appears to be all regimes) God’s word, God’s instructions, are inevitably swept under the carpet because they don’t conform to how society thinks is the best way to live. And yet people who think that life is pretty okay, still for some reason, feel that they are missing something in their lives.

What Amos speaks about is given from outside of himself. Perhaps we need to hear the message that comes from outside of ourselves and be aware that there is another who speaks the truth to us even though it can sometimes be hard to hear. Let’s open God’s word together and know God’s grace. Jesus died for you also.

Pastor Darryl