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Amos 4

World English Bible

WEB

1Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, “Bring us drinks!” 2The Lord Yahweh has sworn by his holiness, “Behold, the days shall come on you that they will take you away with hooks, and the last of you with fish hooks. 3You will go out at the breaks in the wall, everyone straight before her; and you will cast yourselves into Harmon,” says Yahweh. 4“Go to Bethel, and sin; to Gilgal, and sin more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days, 5offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim free will offerings and brag about them; for this pleases you, you children of Israel,” says the Lord Yahweh. 6“I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in every town; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. 7“I also have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One field was rained on, and the field where it didn’t rain withered. 8So two or three cities staggered to one city to drink water, and were not satisfied; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. 9“I struck you with blight and mildew many times in your gardens and your vineyards, and the swarming locusts have devoured your fig trees and your olive trees; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. 10“I sent plagues among you like I did Egypt. I have slain your young men with the sword, and have carried away your horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camp, yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. 11“I have overthrown some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire; yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh. 12“Therefore I will do this to you, Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, Israel. 13For, behold, he who forms the mountains, creates the wind, declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the high places of the earth: Yahweh, the God of Armies, is his name.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Amos Chapter 4 serves as a powerful indictment against the people of Israel, particularly the women of #Samaria, whom Amos refers to as 'cows of Bashan.' This metaphor highlights their indulgent lifestyles and lack of concern for the plight of the poor and needy. The chapter opens with a call to these women, emphasizing their complacency and the consequences of their actions. God, through Amos, warns that their luxurious living will lead to judgment, as they have turned away from righteousness and justice, which are central themes throughout the book of Amos. The chapter starkly illustrates the disconnect between their comfortable lives and the reality of their spiritual condition, reminding us that God sees beyond outward appearances and into the heart of our actions.

The chapter continues with a series of divine warnings and reminders of God's past judgments, including famine, drought, and pestilence, which He sent to Israel as calls to repentance. Yet, despite these warnings, the people did not return to Him. Amos emphasizes that these calamities were not mere coincidences but were orchestrated by God to draw His people back to Him. The chapter concludes with a sobering reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment, urging the people to prepare to meet their God. This chapter challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the importance of genuine repentance and social justice in our walk with the Lord.

Overall, Amos 4 serves as a call to accountability, urging us to examine our hearts and actions in light of God's expectations for His people. #Amos #Judgment #Repentance #SocialJustice

Study

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Referenced by

  1. Hosea 4:10v8Hosea 4:10 and Amos 4:8 both describe the insatiable desires of the people as a consequence of their unfaithfulness, illustrating the futility of seeking satisfaction apart from God.
  2. Hosea 9:1v4Hosea 9:1 warns Israel against rejoicing in their unfaithfulness, similar to Amos 4:4-5, where Israel is criticized for their empty religious rituals.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

  • Deuteronomy 28OppressionDisobedienceWarnings in the Bible
  • Amos 5Shuv (Repentance)AmosComplacency
  • Joel 1DroughtLocustsPlagues
  • Isaiah 1Sodom and GomorrahReturn to GodSincerity
  • Amos 6IndulgenceSocial InjusticeAmos
  • Isaiah 3OppressionPrideWarnings in the Bible
  • Jeremiah 5Shuv (Repentance)Social InjusticeComplacency
  • Micah 2Social InjusticeInjusticeOppression
  • Amos 1Social InjusticeAmosWarnings in the Bible
  • Amos 2Prophetic LiteratureIndulgenceAmos
  • Jeremiah 3HypocrisyReturn to GodSamaria
  • Haggai 1DroughtDivine DisciplineDiscipline

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