AMOS CHAPTER 5

-This is the best chapter of the book!
-He begins chapters 3, 4, & 5 with this phrase. It is to draw attention to the upcoming song/lament. A lament is like a dirge, a song of grievance or used when a prophet speaks of calamity to come. He mourns that Israel is fallen with no one to lift her up.
-Amos goes on to speak from the Lord of the destruction of the armies of Israel. After this he goes on to tell them why the Lord has issued this prophecy on behalf of Israel. They have an alternative, they can seek the Lord and live, or He will continue with this judgment. We see the same thing in Jonah as the people are called to repentance and they do. God then spares them and He relents issuing His wrath.
-He again declares that the Jews are unjust, liars, greedy, etc. In v. 12 the Lord reveals that He knows all of their sins. Nothing is hidden before the Almighty. God hates their religious feasts, sacrifices, assemblies, songs, etc. He declares that justice will roll on.
-We get a great picture of God’s presence in this chapter. He is an amazing creator vv. 8-9 show that He controls everything and can do whatever He wants. Nothing can hold back God, he can make dark light and vice versa. He can make the water pour out on land. His presence is dreadful as well. (vv. 18-20) The day of the Lord will be intense and destructive not a pleasant graceful time.

THINGS I LEARNED FROM THIS CHAPTER
God is not pleased with ritual or what we can do for Him. He is pleased with our devotion and our genuine heartfelt praise. What are some things in our churches today that God despises and that He has no regard for? What is He not listening to? How does God feel about our assemblies? I think the main thing to ask behind all of these is, what is our motivation behind our sacrifices and songs? Are we truly caught up in God or in looking for others approval? I long for the presence of God to a degree, but this chapter helps me look more truthfully at His glorious presence to know that there are still things in me that would cause me to fall prostrate like Isaiah and declare that I am an unclean man. The presence of God is powerful and holy, not something I can just waltz into and say Whats Up?!?