Friday, October 18, 2024

Amos 4: You Never Got Hungry for God

People were living as if there is no God and no Judgement Day. We read:

1 Listen to this, you cows of Bashan
    grazing on the slopes of Samaria.
You women! Mean to the poor,
    cruel to the down-and-out!
Indolent and pampered, you demand of your husbands,
    ‘Bring us a tall, cool drink!’

The prophet addresses women from a higher class that are centered on themselves. They want to be served by others.

2-3
“This is serious — I, God, have sworn by my holiness!
    Be well warned: Judgment Day is coming!
They’re going to rope you up and haul you off,
    keep the stragglers in line with cattle prods.
They’ll drag you through the ruined city walls,
    forcing you out single file,
And kick you to kingdom come.”

These women will be treated as cattle or fishes that are conducted by hooks to be killed or punished in Judgement day. Thus the prophet is speaking in the name of the Lord so that they repent.
The Lord wants that Israel comes to Him:

6
“You know, don’t you, that I’m the One
    who emptied your pantries and cleaned out your cupboards,
Who left you hungry and standing in bread lines?
    But you never got hungry for me. You continued to ignore me.”

The text goes on like:

"I am the One who made you such harm  and such harm but
    But you never got hungry for me. You continued to ignore me.

The Lord sent troubles for his people to seek Him.
Am I hungry for the Lord?

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