Amos 5

Amos 5:1

C. The Third Summons to Hear (5:1-17)5:1-7 The prophet laments over Israel’s downfall; only one soldier in ten will be spared. Even yet, the people should not seek the cities where the idol shrines were (Bethel, Beersheba, Gilgal); they should seek the LORD and live. 5:8-13 Otherwise the Lord who made the constellations Pleiades and Orion and rules the universe will pour out His wrath upon them for their lack of justice and righteousness. The sinners of Israel hated a righteous man who reproved them and abhorred an honest man. Because they had grown rich dishonestly, they would not be permitted to enjoy their wealth. 5:14-17 A call to righteousness and social justice goes forth: “Seek good and not evil . . . establish justice.” However, it is clear from the sudden change"There shall be wailing in the streets"that the people will not listen and so are doomed to punishment.

Amos 5:18

D. The First Woe (5:18-27)5:18-20 The people should not desire the day of the LORD; it will be a day of darkness and calamity, with one evil overtaking another. 5:21-27 Israel was bringing sacrifices and offerings to the Lord on their feast days, but their lives were corrupt, so their offerings were rejected by God. He would rather have righteousness than ritual. Even in the wilderness, when professing to worship Jehovah, they had practiced idolatry with Moloch and other idols, such as Sikkuth and Chiun.