pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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“I Will Never Forget…”

Reading: Amos 8:4-7

Amos 8:4 – “Hear this, you who trample on the needy and destroy the poor of the land…”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Amos was a prophet, likely the first of many to write about the unjust behaviors of Israel’s and Judah’s leaders. He proclaimed that worship without justice was unacceptable to God. Instead of following God’s instructions about sharing with and including the poor in religious festivals that remembered and celebrated God’s loving acts when Israel was freed from slavery and oppression in Egypt, the prosperous and powerful were excluding the poor and needy. Outside of worship those with power mistreated and enslaved the poor. Amos called the people to righteousness and justice – or face God’s judgment.

Turning to our passage from chapter 8, Amos begins with “Hear this, you who trample on the needy and destroy the poor of the land…” These are strong words of warning. Instead of truly worshipping during the sacred festivals, the wealthy and powerful are scheming about how to further exploit the poor and needy. They plan to make the scoop smaller (the ephah) while making the weight heavier (the shekel) to deceive the poor with “false balances.” They can sell less product for a greater profit. As an added bonus for the prosperous, this will make the poor poorer and the needy needier. Soon enough, they think, we can “buy the needy for silver” and “the helpless for sandals.” Through Amos, the Lord says, “Surely I will never forget what they’ve done.”

Today in our land we see cuts to programs that feed the poor and needy alongside tax cuts for the wealthy and powerful. We see politicians wheeling and dealing in “pork barrel politics,” working for personal gain while ignoring needed services to the vulnerable and powerless that live in their districts. In the very same way, the Lord our God says, “Surely I will never forget what they’ve done.”

Prayer: Lord God, your heart is for the vulnerable and powerless. This was clearly evident when you took on flesh and gave us a living example to follow. Raise up our voices for justice, O God, and empower our hands and feet, O Lord, to have a heart like your heart, to serve humbly as Jesus did. Amen.


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That Is Enough

Readings: Job 38 through Job 42

‭Job 40:8 – “Would you question my justice, deem me guilty so you can be innocent?”

God speaks from the whirlwind. There is power and might in God’s voice. Right away Job is put on notice: get ready, God has some questions for you. God then asks a series of questions. Was Job there when God laid the earth’s foundations? Can Job command the morning to come? Has Job surveyed the earth’s expanses? Can Job tame the wild donkey or the ostrich? Can Job make the hawk fly? No, no, no, no, and no! These questions humble Job and make him aware of God’s vastness and of God’s control over all things.

God then asks “God’s instructor” to correct anything needing correction. Job says, “Look, I’m of little worth.” He spoke before but will not do so now. God then asks, “Would you question my justice, deem me guilty so you can be innocent?” God challenges Job to humble the proud and to trample the wicked. Go ahead Job, says God, “Then I, even I, will praise you.” Job has no response.

To further help Job (and friends – they’re still there) understand the scale or immensity of God, God speaks of Behemoth and Leviathan – two dangerous and terrifying mythological creatures. Even these were created by God and are within God’s control. Yes, the universe is much larger and more wondrous than Job (or friends) can fathom.

In chapter 42 Job speaks. Job understands that God is all-powerful and is fully in control of all things. Job is humbled, having spoken of things he did not really understand. And Job knows God in a new way: in his heart, not just in his head. Job relents to God’s power and might. There is no answer to why he suffered. Job now knows God in his heart. And that is enough. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, power and might are yours! All glory and praise and honor to you, O God! You know the answers inside out. We can barely formulate a few questions. Reign over our lives and our world. Reign in our hearts, O God. Amen.


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The Call Remains

Reading: Amos 8: 1-12

Verse 2: “The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer”.

In last week’s reading, at the end of Amos 7, we learned that all was not “plumb” in Israel. The Lord God declared that judgment is coming. Today reading opens with a basket of ripe fruit. When fruit is ripe, it is picked and is consumed shortly. In verse 2 we read these ominous words: “The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer”. God is ready to act. The temple will soon be filled with wailing.

In verses 4-6 we read of the ways that the people have fallen away from God. The general charge is that they “trample the needy” and they “do away with the poor”. The merchants are using dishonest scales – raising the price while selling less than advertised. The people rush through the festivals and Sabbath so that they can get back to the business of making money. They may be present at the temple, but there is no worship. The rich are also selling the poor into slavery because they cannot pay off the debts they have accumulated. God promises not to forget anything they have done.

If we flash-forward almost 2,800 years, we as a society continue to trample the poor and needy. The exile that the Israelites endured was not enough to rid the people of God of our selfishness and of our appetite for more. The poor are forced to pay high rent for substandard housing because they have no choice. Homelessness is high in many places. Payday loan businesses and pawn shops help keep the poor trapped in cycles of poverty. Handing out money has become our choice because it is easier than walking alongside people, helping them learn a better way while building their self-worth. The sex industry is huge. Drug epidemics plague many places and people groups. God must look sadly down upon our world today.

God called Amos to reveal the woes of society. His words did not bring change, so judgment came. We are the voice of God today. The call remains. May we seek ways to right injustices, to end wrongs, to halt abuses, to carry the cause of the poor and needy. In doing so we will reveal God’s love for all people. It is the only thing that can heal our broken world.

Prayer: Lord, like most I do not actively oppress or take advantage of the poor and needy. And like most, I do not always seek to stand and speak for those in need. Open my eyes and move my hands, feet, and voice to be your light and love in the world. Amen.