Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Amos 8:4-7                                

Amos 8:4-7

Blessed are we as God’s people to be able to find so very many passages in the Scriptures that speak to the great mercy of God. Mercy, that grand quality wherein God restrains Himself from giving to sinful humanity what they deserve. It's true on a national and personal level as well. Now God does not wink at sin. He has paid the price in the death of His only-begotten Son. And through perfect justice shines the mercy of God keeping us in His heart for only good.

Amos the prophet. though he denied being one, spells out in classic prophetic utterance that God has reached His limit with the people of Israel. And though it was not a single violation of His law that sparked their punishment, in Amos chapter 8, God singles out the greediness of His people as the final straw or better a step too far. God is patient. And when we see Him finally let go in judgment, we can be sure He has waited and waited. God sees their greed manifested in false balances, selling bad produce, and profaning in heart the Sabbath rest provided by God.

When I read Amos, and indeed all the minor prophets, I am convicted that the God who sees the sins of His Old Testament people also sees mine. Blessed are we once more that He sees them through the shed blood of His dear Son. Now His steps are counted as mine. Blessed indeed.