Amos 8 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Amos is a social justice prophet.

We remember his famous line: Let justice roll down like waters (5:24).

He's concerned foremost about justice in his society. He's troubled by the treatment of the poor and rejected, those, as Howard Thurman identifies, "with their backs against the wall." Therefore, this prophet, who understands himself foremost as a herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees (7:14), travels from his home in the south to the northern kingdom of Israel to prophesy.

What societal wrongs are so severe as to cause a sheep breeder to leave his home and country?

What is God's prophetic calling all about?

The people's offense has almost entirely to do with how they treat each other. It's ethical. Amos 2:6-8 makes this clear:

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Israel,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they sell the righteous for silver
    and the needy for a pair of sandals—
they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth
    and push the afflicted out of the way;
father and son go in to the same young woman,
    so that my holy name is profaned;
they lay themselves down beside every altar
    on garments taken in pledge;
and in the house of their God they drink
    wine bought with fines they imposed.

Commentary on Amos 8:1-12 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary

The people’s commitment to injustice is bringing about the kingdom’s fall.

Working Preacher from Luther SeminaryTyler Mayfield

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