Amos 5:18-24 (NRSV)
Read Amos 5:18-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light; Verse 19as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake. Verse 20Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?
Verse 21I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Verse 22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Verse 23Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. Verse 24But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
Devotion
Amos shocks his listeners by describing the Day of the Lord with such fear and darkness. Israel has been expecting political victory and vindication, not bears and snakebites! It seems their festivals and burnt offerings lack substance and Yahweh is tired of the noisy distractions they have created since wandering in the wilderness. How quickly faith turned into a spectacle of idols.
Prayer
God of substance, you see right through our insincerities and distractions. As often as we stray, guide us back to the waters of life and the core of our faith—the justice and righteousness we know through Christ Jesus. Amen.