Amos 6:1-7

It seems unnecessary to repeat the general background on Amos that we gave in introducing last week’s selection. However, before offering comments on this week’s selection, it may be appropriate to call attention to a few other memorable and significant passages in the book.

After pronouncing punishments on surrounding nations in the first two chapters – notably, their sins are primarily cruelty and uthlessness in warfare – the prophet finally comes to his home country of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and (at 3:2) points out (in the Lord’s name) "You only have I know of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish all of your iniquities." The "therefore" is specially significant – and terrifying. One is reminded of Jesus’s saying at Luke 12:48, "to whom much is given, much will be required."

The prophet, too, is explicit in denouncing what he perceives as hypocritical ritualistic observances. "I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them…But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream." (Amos 5:21-22a, 24) (The final verse quoted memorably on occasion by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the 20th century quintessential prophet.)

As to the passage to be read today, the prophet is again concerned to denounce the sins of the Lord’s people – the Southerners are those who are "at ease in Zion", and the Northerners those who "feel secure on Mt. Samaria." But notice that here he is not so much concerned to expose sins against justice as he was in last week’s passage (and as he usually is), but here he is more interested in what he perceives as the decadence and the heartlessness of the rich and privileged, who take their ease on beds of ivory – surely a rather opulent image, though it doesn’t sound comfortable. And he goes on to observe how they gorge themselves on the finest and tenderest meat, play music and sing (could they perhaps have had stereos in those days?), who drink wine, etc. But – (and one again this prophet characteristically has a sort of surprise "punch line") "are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph". (Amos 6:4-7).

Today’s Gospel lesson from Luke 16, unlike last week’s does seem to echo much the same message, with its little novelette of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus. Amos did not expect his hearers to pay much attention, if any to his warnings, and likewise, Jesus concludes his story by saying, "if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Can we have the courage and the insight to perceive these warnings as addressed to us, as well as to those voluptuaries that so disgusted Amos (and God) some 25 or 26 centuries ago?