"Seek GOD and shun evil, that you may live. Then YAHWEH, the GOD of hosts, as you have claimed, will be with you.
Hate wickedness and love virtue, and let justice prevail in the courts; perhaps YAHWEH, the GOD of hosts, will take pity on the remnant of Joseph.
YAHWEH, GOD of hosts thus says: 'In every square, wailing will be heard, in every street, cries of anguish. Farmers will be summoned to lament, and professional mourners, to weep noisily. There will be lamentation in every vineyard, for I will pass through your midst, says the LORD.'...
'I hate, I reject your feasts, I take no pleasure when you assemble to offer ME your burnt offerings. Your cereal offerings, I will not accept! Your offerings of fattened beasts, I will not look upon!
Away with the noise of your chanting, away with your strumming of harps. But let justice run its course like water, and righteousness be like an ever-flowing river....'" - Amos 5:14-17, 21-24
(GOD's complaints about HIS people sound like those of another time expressed through Isaiah: This people approached ME in words; they honor ME with lip-service, while their hearts stay afar [Isaiah 29:13].
Since the previous disasters were not enough to teach Israel to straighten its ways, Amos announces another disaster. Its nature is not specified, since what is unknown usually causes greater fear.
Perhaps YAHWEH, the GOD of Hosts, will take pity on the remnant of Joseph. This is the first time the word remnant appears in the Scriptures. The people of Israel were formed by the descendants of Abraham, the man of faith. The prophets realize that they are heading for ruin because of their lack of faith; their provinces are taken away from them, their children die. Yet, GOD will reserve a small group, the Remnant of Israel. They will return to an authentic faith, and will be the "shoot" of the New People of GOD.
Ephraim, Joseph, Jacob, Israel: all these names refer to the same nation.)
On-Site
On-Track
No comments:
Post a Comment