TAWG - April 19, 2024 - Amos 5:1-27
April 19, 2024

Amos 5:1-27

5:4-6 | God will not be found in religion or empty ritual (symbolized here by Bethel) but in a wholehearted quest for Him (Seek Me and live). He promises He will be found by those who seek Him (Deut. 4:29; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 29:13).

5:7-15 | What does God require of His people? To do the opposite of the world and hate evil, love good; establish justice.

5:15 | These words were echoed by the prophet Micah and by Jesus (Micah 6:8; Matt. 19:19).

5:16-20 | In Amos’ day, the Israelites looked forward to the day of the LORD, expecting it would be one of light – symbolizing deliverance, prosperity, and restored political greatness. But in fact, that day would bring them the darkness of divine judgment. I will pass through you may be an allusion to Exodus 12:12, where the Lord announced He would pass through Egypt and kill the firstborn of Egypt. If so, there is great irony in God judging His own people as He had once judged their ancient enemy.

5:18-19 | The word woe (or “alas”; 1 Kgs. 13:30; Jer. 22:18-19) was used at funerals to lament the loss of the deceased. Amos uses this language and two hypothetical scenes to depict the inescapability of God’s judgment if his audience does not repent.

5:24 | The Hebrew verb form indicates that Let justice run is a call to establish justice as recorded in verse 15: “in the city gate” – meaning, as an ongoing, daily part of life (Micah 6:8).