In chapter 9 the theme of God's judgement reaches its climax. Amos's fifth and final vision underscores that people cannot escape the announced judgement. Neither human efforts nor past experience can shield people from the wrath of the Lord. But judgement is not God's final word on Israel's future. Out of the ruins God will raise the fallen hut of David and bring back a restored and renewed community of faith.
The fourth vision of Amos (8:1-3) confirms the message of the third vision - the end has come for Israel. The oracles after the vision explore the two evils which have made this end inevitable: injustice and idolatry. The prophetic word warns us not to follow in the footsteps of Amos's audience, and inspires us to worship God in truth and love our neighbour.
Chapter 7 begins with a report of three visions which Amos received from God (7:1-9). As the Lord reveals to the prophet his plans to punish his wayward people, Amos prays for mercy and the Lord holds back his judgement. With the third vision, however, there is a change. The prophet can no longer intercede and the Lord is unwilling to continue to forgive Israel. A short narrative which tells of the clash between Amos and the priest Amaziah (7:10-17), provides an insight into how Israel reached this point of no return in her relationship with the Lord.
In chapter 6, Amos addresses the leaders of Israel and Judah whose behaviour and attitude is a textbook example of bad leadership. Their lifestyle is characterised by luxury and their outlook by callous disregard for the well-being of their people. In every aspect their actions are absurd, like someone trying to plough the sea with oxen.
Read in the light of Christ, Amos' prophecy underlines strongly some of the main points that the New Testament makes again and again: genuine humility and selfless love for others are the true path of wisdom.
In Chapter 5, two central themes from Amos’s prophecies reach a climax: his criticism of Israel’s worship and his emphasis on the importance of justice and righteousness.
The people of God have converted the life-giving power of justice into poison. Therefore, their worship has become odious to God and no amount of enthusiasm can compensate for that.
Unless the Israelites urgently recommit to seek the Lord, the poison they have unleashed will destroy their world.
How do we hear the voice of God?
Amos’s prophecy makes it clear that Israel has failed to do that, although the people have had plenty of opportunities. Their failure is a lesson to us, and a challenge as well. God is active in our lives but it takes spiritual discernment to see his hand at work.
A humble and repentant heart is the starting point.
Amos's message was radical and uncomfortable. People could not see how his proclamation of judgement tied in with their status as God's chosen people. Surely if God chose them and led them out of Egypt he would continue to take care of them? Amos had to challenge some of the complacency produced by such theology.
What defines our identity as people of God? For Israel the answer was simple. God was at work in their lives and in their history. He had brought them out of Egypt, led them to the Promised Land, revealed himself through the prophetic word.
However, as Amos compares the lifestyle of his contemporaries to the sins and crimes of the surrounding nations, a horrible truth begins to emerge. By practicing injustice Israel has betrayed its identity as the people of God and sank to the level of its pagan neighbours.
Our identity is defined by what God has done for us. But it is expressed in a lifestyle of justice and in actions of mercy and compassion towards the weak and the poor.