Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Amos 6:1-7                        

Amos 6:1-7

Well, back to Amos. Just last week our Old Testament musings caused us to stop in the text of this “Trumpet of Yahweh,” as I like to call him. Clarity. Volume. No compromise. Amos, in our text this week, cries out against the wealth and the wealthy of Israel who love their stuff more than their “siblings.” It’s always a challenge. Especially when the financial times are strong and you are the beneficiary of such seasons. It is easy to look away from those who have a valid claim to your cash. What do I mean? I mean that by virtue of Israel being Israel, there are connections and family ties that require God’s people to care for one another. And Israel was missing the mark.

Verse 3 begins a statement of woe to the people hearing Amos-or perhaps not hearing Amos. Have you, like me, become skilled at pick-and-choose reading of the Scriptures? “Cafeteria Christianity” I have heard some call it. It’s that practice of reading those texts that give you warm fuzzies, while leaving behind the words that get your dander up or challenge your apathy. Here the clarity of Amos is on the table and it is a strong word of discipline. “Woe to you …. who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph” (Amos 6:3a, 6).

When there is want about you and you have the means of filling the lack, God says do it. Especially when it’s your own kin. Don’t look away and certainly don’t look only at yourself. Care, give, lift, and give strength when you can. God always does that for his children. And we’re to carry on the family business.