Old Testament: Amos 5.11–13

To read the Bible in a year, read Amos 4–6 on December 15, In the year of our Lord Christ 2021

By Don Ruhl 

Israel had become so evil that they hated the one who rebuked them, and abhorred the one who spoke uprightly. That being the case, the Lord said: 

“Therefore, because you tread down the poor
And take grain taxes from him,
Though you have built houses of hewn stone,
Yet you shall not dwell in them;
You have planted pleasant vineyards,
But you shall not drink wine from them.
For I know your manifold transgressions
And your mighty sins:
Afflicting the just and taking bribes;
Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,
For it is an evil time.”

– Amos 5.11–13 

They lived well by the blessing of the Lord, but they did not desire to live as the Lord directed. Their sins against the poor, taking unlawful taxes, afflicting the just, taking bribes, and diverting the poor from justice, brought on the fierce wrath of the God of heaven, and they paid for those sins by going into Assyrian captivity. 

Questions: 

• How would you summarize your life? 
• Who kept silent during the evil time? 

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