June 29, Lectionary 378...reflections on Amos

Scripture: Lectionary 378. Amos 3:1-8.4.11-12. Psalm 5: 4-6,6-7.8. Matthew
8:23-27:

Amos continues his strong clear prophetic challenge to Israel, Samaria, and
Judah as we move rapidly through this book of one of the earliest of the
prophets. He thunders and roars like a lion about the retribution that
should be made to God who is the faithful one in the covenant. The leaders
and the people following them resist him and he still continues on with
lion's strength to proclaim God's warnings. The lion image is used twice
within this chapter and is a good symbol for the Amos a prophet of God's
justice and judgment. The "Day of the Lord" may have been touted by the
leaders as God being with them, but in their immoral living and their
turning away from the God of their ancestors it is really doomsday for them
according to Amos.

We should take some time to reflect on verse seven of this chapter:
"Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plan to his
servants the prophets." Amos has made it clear this refers to the true
prophets and not to the soothsayers and would-be prophets.

In verse eight we read or hear: "The lion hath roared, who will not fear?
The Lord God hath spoken; who can but prophesy? As we turn to and sing or
say the Psalm response and reflect on its verses, we come to realize it
fits more the prophet Amos than it does Israel or Judah. The Psalm is a
morning prayer and a lamentation. Amos is in tune with verse eight: "But as
for me, in the abundance of Thy loving kindness, will I come into Thy
house;; I will bow down toward Thy holy temple in the fear of Thee."

Amos does not remain in this condmenation of the people and their leaders.
He will offer them a door of hope by telling them "Seek the Lord and live."
The Talmud says this expression that fits Amos so well sums up all 613
commandments of the Hebrew Bible. May Amos words move us to seek the Lord
so that we may experience the life of God within our hearts. Amen.