The Day of the Lord
August 27, 2019
Commentary
Failure to honor the dead was considered horrible in Israel, so loud wailing was common at funerals. Paid mourners, usually women, cried and mourned loudly. Amos said there would be so many funerals that there would be a shortage of professional mourners, so farmers would be called from the fields to help (vv. 16-17).
The people of Israel perceived the “the day of the Lord” as a day of victory for themselves and a day of judgment for their enemies (vv. 18-27). Amos corrected that popular misconception. Perhaps Amos felt the same way as the illustration above as he preached to the people of Israel. On the surface there seemed to be considerable religious interest. Many people claimed they longed for the Day of the Lord, perhaps interpreted by them as a day when God would give them a decisive victory over their enemies. Amos corrected their thinking by pointing out that the Day of the Lord would be a day of judgment. He warned that for the unprepared, it would be an unremitting series of calamities. He compared the people of Israel to a fugitive who runs away from one threat only to find another (vv. 18-20).
The Israelites kept “feast days,” attended sacred assemblies, and offered “burnt offerings” but neglected justice and righteousness (vv. 21-22). God hates false worship by people who go through the motions out of pretense or for show (vv. 21-23). He wants justice and righteousness from His people (v. 24) Sikkuth and Chiun were heathen gods (v. 25-26). Prior to this Israel had turned to worshiping stars and planets, preferring nature over natures God.
Application
If I am living a sinful life and using religious ritual while trying to make myself look good God will despise my worship and will not accept what I offer.
Amos 5:16– 27 (NET)
16 Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says: “In all the squares there will be wailing, in all the streets they will mourn the dead. They will tell the field workers to lament and the professional mourners to wail.
17 In all the vineyards there will be wailing, for I will pass through your midst,” says the Lord.
18 Woe to those who wish for the day of the Lord! Why do you want the Lord’s day of judgment to come? It will bring darkness, not light.
19 Disaster will be inescapable, as if a man ran from a lion only to meet a bear, then escaped into a house, leaned his hand against the wall, and was bitten by a poisonous snake.
20 Don’t you realize the Lord’s day of judgment will bring darkness, not light— gloomy blackness, not bright light?
21 “I absolutely despise your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies.
22 Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, I will not be satisfied; I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves.
23 Take away from me your noisy songs; I don’t want to hear the music of your stringed instruments.
24 Justice must flow like torrents of water, righteous actions like a stream that never dries up.
25 You did not bring me sacrifices and grain offerings during the forty years you spent in the wilderness, family of Israel.
26 You will pick up your images of Sikkuth, your king, and Kiyyun, your star god, which you made for yourselves,
27 and I will drive you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord. He is called the God of Heaven’s Armies.