- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 17,518
12 September 2007
Amos 6 v 1-7
How terrible it will be for those who have an easy life in Jerusalem, for those who feel safe living on Mount Samaria.
You think you are the important people of the best nation in the world; the Israelites come to you for help.
Go look at the city of Calneh, and from there go to the great city Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.
You are no better than these kingdoms. Your land is no larger than theirs.
You put off the day of punishment, but you bring near the day when you can do evil to others.
You lie on beds decorated with ivory and stretch out on your couches.
You eat tender lambs and fattened calves.
You make up songs on your harps, and, like David, you compose songs on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful and use the best perfumed lotions.
But you are not sad over the ruin of Israel, so you will be some of the first ones taken as slaves.
Your feasting and lying around will come to an end.
Here we see Amos questioning their superior thoughts. They thought they were better than others and their success confirmed it.
It is so easy to make those connections, when our minds try to make links between cause and effect. When we are successful, has this happened because we were right or better, stronger or cleverer? This can separate us from those we see as less successful. And just as there maybe reasons for our success, there are reasons for their lack.
However there is so much more complexity in life, that enables or inhibits our success. And this complexity of life, that we are not individuals but people ultimately connected to the places and situations we inhabit, with all the history and future that connects us to those we share life with.
Amos accused them, "But you are not sad over the ruin of Israel." Could he also ask us "have you lost touch with those around you?"
Spend a few moments thinking about some people who are finding life difficult. As the body of Christ, we are all connected - when one cries all cry, when one laughs all laugh. Ask for God to help you engage with where people really are, to stand with them, be sad with them, and lift them to God.
Written by Beth Keith & Dan Cooper
Amos 6 v 1-7
How terrible it will be for those who have an easy life in Jerusalem, for those who feel safe living on Mount Samaria.
You think you are the important people of the best nation in the world; the Israelites come to you for help.
Go look at the city of Calneh, and from there go to the great city Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.
You are no better than these kingdoms. Your land is no larger than theirs.
You put off the day of punishment, but you bring near the day when you can do evil to others.
You lie on beds decorated with ivory and stretch out on your couches.
You eat tender lambs and fattened calves.
You make up songs on your harps, and, like David, you compose songs on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful and use the best perfumed lotions.
But you are not sad over the ruin of Israel, so you will be some of the first ones taken as slaves.
Your feasting and lying around will come to an end.
Here we see Amos questioning their superior thoughts. They thought they were better than others and their success confirmed it.
It is so easy to make those connections, when our minds try to make links between cause and effect. When we are successful, has this happened because we were right or better, stronger or cleverer? This can separate us from those we see as less successful. And just as there maybe reasons for our success, there are reasons for their lack.
However there is so much more complexity in life, that enables or inhibits our success. And this complexity of life, that we are not individuals but people ultimately connected to the places and situations we inhabit, with all the history and future that connects us to those we share life with.
Amos accused them, "But you are not sad over the ruin of Israel." Could he also ask us "have you lost touch with those around you?"
Spend a few moments thinking about some people who are finding life difficult. As the body of Christ, we are all connected - when one cries all cry, when one laughs all laugh. Ask for God to help you engage with where people really are, to stand with them, be sad with them, and lift them to God.
Written by Beth Keith & Dan Cooper
