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--- amos_5 [2025/08/15 06:13] – graham
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-Amos 5 confronts the powerful of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (circa 760 BC). This was a time of military strength and economic prosperity in the northern kingdom of Israel. It was also a time of deep injustice.
+Amos 5 is a covenant lawsuit and lament addressed to the northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (circa 760 BC). This was a time of outward prosperity with military strength and economic security. However, it was also a time of deep injustice.
-The chapter follows a chiastic structure.
+The chapter opens with a funeral dirge over Israel (verse 1-3) indicating that judgment is certain unless there is repentance. God’s calls the people to "seek Me and live" (verses 4-6). Those who perpetrate injustice are condemned in vivid terms (verse 7). Verse 8 magnifies Yahweh as creator and ruler over the universe and the nations.
+Israel’s leaders are exposed for legal corruption, economic exploitation, and silencing truth-tellers at the city gate (verses 10-13). The people are again exhorted, this time to "seek good and not evil" and to "hate evil and love good" so that the Lord will be with them and gracious to them (verses 14-15).
+In verses 21 to 23 God rejects the religious assemblies, offerings, and songs because these acts are empty when divorced from righteousness. His demand is clear: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (verse 24).
+The chapter closes with a reminder that Israel’s false worship stretches back to the wilderness period (verses 25-26) and with the pronouncement of exile beyond Damascus (verse 27).
+===== Theological Truth =====
+God’s presence among His people is not guaranteed by tradition, ritual, or prosperity. His presence is conditional upon covenant faithfulness expressed through justice, righteousness, and wholehearted devotion. Outward religion without ethical obedience is offensive to God. True seeking of God transforms both worship and social conduct, ensuring that love for God is lived out in love for neighbour.
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