Alas for those who are at ease in Zion, and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria, the notables of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel resorts! Cross over to Calneh, and see; from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is your territory greater than their territory, O you that put far away the evil day, and bring near a reign of violence? Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile, and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away. The Lord God has sworn by himself (says the Lord, the God of hosts): I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds; and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it. (Amos 6:1-8, NRSV)
Does Amos say you can’t lie on beds of ivory or lounge on couches or eat lamb or calves and sing idle songs?
No, he doesn’t say you can’t do this. But if you do this without being vexed or concerned or worried about everything happening in the world, then you do not have the heart of the Lord.
We need concern for our fellow man, enough that we do not become self-indulgent and forget about everyone else but ourselves.
It is the path to the unholy trinity of me, myself and I…
aSacredRebel 