Amos 8: 4-12 Listen to this, you who walk all over the weak, you who treat poor people as less than nothing, Who say, “When’s my next paycheck coming so I can go out and live it up? How long till the weekend when I can go out and have a good time?” Who give little and take much, and never do an honest day’s work. You exploit the poor, using them - and then, when they’re used up, you discard them.
God swears against the arrogance of Jacob: “I’m keeping track of their every last sin.”
God’s oath will shake earth’s foundations, dissolve the whole world into tears. God’s oath will sweep in like a river that rises, flooding houses and lands, and then recedes, leaving behind a sea of mud.
God’s oath will shake earth’s foundations, dissolve the whole world into tears. God’s oath will sweep in like a river that rises, flooding houses and lands, and then recedes, leaving behind a sea of mud.
“On Judgment Day, watch out!” These are the words of God, my Master.“I’ll turn off the sun at noon. In the middle of the day the earth will go black. I’ll turn your parties into funerals and make every song you sing a dirge. Everyone will walk around in rags, with sunken eyes and bald heads. Think of the worst that could happen - your only son, say, murdered. That’s a hint of Judgment Day - that and much more.
“Oh yes, Judgment Day is coming!” These are the words of my Master God. “I’ll send a famine through the whole country. It won’t be food or water that’s lacking, but my Word.
People will drift from one end of the country to the other, roam to the north, wander to the east. They’ll go anywhere, listen to anyone, hoping to hear God’s Word—but they won’t hear it.
People will drift from one end of the country to the other, roam to the north, wander to the east. They’ll go anywhere, listen to anyone, hoping to hear God’s Word—but they won’t hear it.
The Advent themes of waiting for Christ to come again and John the Baptist's call to repentance in anticipation of the coming of Christ find their roots in the prophetic tradition of Israel. Amos prophesies about the coming Judgment and calls the Israelites to change their ways in anticipation of that coming day. Our preparation for Christmas generally revolves around decorating the house, planning the family meal, putting up the Christmas tree, purchasing and wrapping gifts, etc. Amos asks how are we preparing for the coming of Christ in the way we live our lives. Judgment day is coming. Are you ready?
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