Amos 6:1-7
At Ease in Zion
Read the passage
1Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.
2Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?
3You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence.
4You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.
5You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.
6You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
7Therefore, you will now go into exile as the first of the captives, and your feasting and lounging will come to an end.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Amos announces woe to the distinguished people at ease in Zion and secure on Mount Samaria. He tells them to look at Calneh, Hamath, and Gath, asking whether they are better than those kingdoms or whether those kingdoms have more territory. Their position gives them no reason to dismiss the warning.
They put the day of calamity far from their thoughts while bringing a reign of violence near. Their lives are full of comfort: ivory beds, couches, lambs and calves to eat, improvised songs, new instruments, wine by the bowlful, and fine oils.
What is missing is grief over the ruin of Joseph. These prominent people have attention to spare for their pleasures, but the suffering of their own people does not trouble them.
The LORD says they will lead the line of captives into exile. Their feasting and lounging will end. The people who enjoy being first now will be first in a way they have refused to consider.
Questions
1 Who received Amos's woe?
AnswerIt was for those at ease in Zion and secure in Samaria, people confident in their position while the nation’s ruin did not trouble them.
2 What did the comfortable people do?
AnswerThey reclined on luxurious beds, ate the best food, sang, drank wine, and used fine oils while treating comfort as proof of security.
3 What did they fail to do?
AnswerThey failed to grieve over Joseph’s ruin, remaining absorbed in personal comfort while the covenant community was being damaged.
4 What would happen to them first?
AnswerThey would be the first to go into exile, and the noise of their feasting would end when judgment reached the people who felt safest.
What This Means for Us
It is possible to know that someone is suffering and arrange the day so that their need never interrupts us. Amos confronts that indifference in people who have much to enjoy.
Make room for a person whose trouble you have kept at a distance. Listen long enough to understand what they are facing, then decide what time, help, or money you can offer. Let compassion affect your plans.
Prayer
LORD, keep comfort from making us indifferent. Help us grieve honestly, give generously, and remember neighbors whose pain is easy for us to avoid. Amen.