Doom (Amos 4:1-13)
Several years ago, I was dragged into a popular costume jewelry store. It was swarming with women spending hundreds of dollars on dozens of items each. All pretty, but all fake. Like the hair, nails, and clothes all around me, it was all for show and it was all so much waste. It was a vivid image of a materialism run rampant that was hard to abide.
Amos gives us another picture of gross materialism and abuse of power. The “cows of Bashan” are how he refers to the rich women of Israel. The real cows in question were highly valuable, highly pampered animals. The women of Israel were pampered as well. Everything they wanted, they got. And—without excusing their husbands who had their own evil, materialistic, unjust motives—these women were all like Lady Macbeths, pushing for more and more abuse so that they could increase their own pleasure.
But beyond the materialism, greed, and injustice, Israel had been kidding themselves ever since they split from Judah. Their false religion gave them a false security that they lived on the side of God, that their sin was not sin.
Amos moves beyond the warnings of chapter 3. God has repeatedly warned Israel again and again. The hardships they have faced should have been a clear sign to turn. But, as they have not repented of their sin, God is bringing doom.
How is any of this relevant to believers today? There may not be a direct parallel unless you think you live in God’s blessed and chosen country and that all the materialism around you is not an evidence of sin but a sign of God’s blessing. Then you might want to do some self-examination.
Amos gives us another picture of gross materialism and abuse of power. The “cows of Bashan” are how he refers to the rich women of Israel. The real cows in question were highly valuable, highly pampered animals. The women of Israel were pampered as well. Everything they wanted, they got. And—without excusing their husbands who had their own evil, materialistic, unjust motives—these women were all like Lady Macbeths, pushing for more and more abuse so that they could increase their own pleasure.
But beyond the materialism, greed, and injustice, Israel had been kidding themselves ever since they split from Judah. Their false religion gave them a false security that they lived on the side of God, that their sin was not sin.
Amos moves beyond the warnings of chapter 3. God has repeatedly warned Israel again and again. The hardships they have faced should have been a clear sign to turn. But, as they have not repented of their sin, God is bringing doom.
How is any of this relevant to believers today? There may not be a direct parallel unless you think you live in God’s blessed and chosen country and that all the materialism around you is not an evidence of sin but a sign of God’s blessing. Then you might want to do some self-examination.
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