Amos 8 Commentary
Amos is aware of the false worship of Bethel. The golden calf at Bethel is a national scandal! He won’t spend his energy on it. However, there are individuals who still want to keep the law of the God of Abraham – the equivalent of the Body of Christ of today.
It is this lot that attracts the attention of the prophet. They cannot wait for the Sabbath to be over! They need more time out there. The Sabbath is a disturbance. They want to make cash, but there is cheating and injustice against the poor.
Are you rich because you have given little while taking much? How honest is your work? The poor, do you exploit them, use them, and discard them as scams when done?
Saints are not entirely innocent of wrongdoing. This isn’t an exam every saint will pass with flying colors!
Then the LORD acts. He won’t forget the evils committed by the people. Yes, the people will be punished. Or, someone will be punished. The latter is probable based on the events described below. There is an event in history when darkness descended upon the earth. The crucifixion seems to fit the description of the times the prophet has talked about.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son – the only begotten Son.
The famine of hearing God’s word. Again, this time fits the description of the post-crucifixion era. It is indeed a privilege to hear the word of the LORD!
The prophet has played with his language here. Look at the many human activities and know that we have religion here – man’s search for God. Many haven’t found Him. It is the joy of the LORD that we have sought in entertainment, sports, the arts, education, or indeed any other sphere of human activity. We seek the peace of the LORD each time we have sought calmness amongst ourselves but we don’t know it.
We have sought the dominion of the LORD each time we have changed our governments. We dream of perfect parents or managers because deep within our souls is an emptiness that only the LORD can fill.
But how many have found this peace – the peace that is resident within the Spirit-filled soul? The famine of God’s word is real.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 