Total Eclipse of the Heart
- Amos continues describing Israel’s sins, reinforcing the importance of social justice over trying to buy God off with tithes and sloppy sacrifices.
- God warns Israel not to even think about sneaking down into Judah to avoid his judgment.
- Because they tax the poor and ignore the needy begging at the gates of the city, he’s not going to let them enjoy the fruit of their ill-gotten gains.
- They won’t be able to live in their fancy houses and, even worse, won’t be allowed to drink the wine from their own vineyards—only wine coolers.
- God tries to explain that it’s a no-brainer how to get back on his good side: Seek good and hate evil. And maybe think about justice for the poor. That’s it.
- God warns that Israel can run but he can’t hide; just when he thinks he’s escaped the lion by running away, he gets attacked by a bear.
- God’s paying no attention to all Israel’s sacrifices and hymns. It’s pretty much “Talk to the hand.”
- What God really wants is—stop us if you’ve heard this one before—to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (5:24)
- If you haven’t heard that one before, you haven’t been paying attention.