It was spoken around 750 BC by the prophet Amos…

These are prophetic words concerning the judgment of Northern Israel, spoken around 750 BC by the prophet Amos, a shepherd and farmer from Southern Judah.

During the prosperous era of Jeroboam II, Israel became arrogant, and especially the upper classes turned against God, neglected the poor, and were consumed by idolatry.
In this context, Amos urged them to repent and return to God!

What was happening at that time? 🤔❓️

"In society, the poor were bought and sold as slaves for the price of a single pair of shoes. And the strong, those with capital, trampled the heads of the weak and exploited them.
Furthermore, in families, fathers and sons would frequent the same prostitute.
And within the temple, the priests drank the wine collected in lieu of the temple tax.
...They also spread out the garments collected as tax near the altar, appraised them, and claimed them for themselves.
In the temple, in society, and in the homes, order was in disarray, and unclean practices were rampant."
Amos 2:6-8
...What they desired was their own pockets, their own desires.
...What is true faith? 🤔
...It is encountering God personally in the heart of each individual.
Without this, one cannot truly encounter the Lord. Amos says, "Israel, prepare yourself to encounter your God."

The Lord is searching for hungry and thirsty souls who desperately and earnestly seek Him.

Shalom 😃

This page archives a Morning Word message shared by Pastor Peter Sunagawa on LINE. The English prose is a translation of the Japanese source message. For Scripture wording, use the BSB link above.