Amos - Caput 4

Amos 4.1 audite verbum hoc vaccae pingues quae estis in monte Samariae quae calumniam facitis egenis et confringitis pauperes quae dicitis dominis vestris adferte et bibemus Amos 4.2 iuravit Dominus Deus in sancto suo quia ecce dies venient super vos et levabunt vos in contis et reliquias vestras in ollis ferventibus Amos 4.3 et per aperturas exibitis altera contra alteram et proiciemini in Armon dicit Dominus Amos 4.4 venite ad Bethel et impie agite ad Galgalam et multiplicate praevaricationem et offerte mane victimas vestras tribus diebus decimas vestras Amos 4.5 et sacrificate de fermentato laudem et vocate voluntarias oblationes et adnuntiate sic enim voluistis filii Israhel dicit Dominus Deus Amos 4.6 unde et ego dedi vobis stuporem dentium in cunctis urbibus vestris et indigentiam panum in omnibus locis vestris et non estis reversi ad me dicit Dominus Amos 4.7 ego quoque prohibui a vobis imbrem cum adhuc tres menses superessent usque ad messem et plui super civitatem unam et super civitatem alteram non plui pars una conpluta est et pars super quam non plui aruit Amos 4.8 et venerunt duae et tres civitates ad civitatem unam ut biberent aquam et non sunt satiatae et non redistis ad me dicit Dominus Amos 4.9 percussi vos in vento urente et in aurugine multitudinem hortorum vestrorum et vinearum vestrarum oliveta vestra et ficeta vestra comedit eruca et non redistis ad me dicit Dominus Amos 4.10 misi in vos mortem in via Aegypti percussi in gladio iuvenes vestros usque ad captivitatem equorum vestrorum et ascendere feci putredinem castrorum vestrorum in nares vestras et non redistis ad me dicit Dominus Amos 4.11 subverti vos sicut subvertit Deus Sodomam et Gomorram et facti estis quasi torris raptus de incendio et non redistis ad me dicit Dominus Amos 4.12 quapropter haec faciam tibi Israhel postquam autem haec fecero tibi praeparare in occursum Dei tui Israhel Amos 4.13 quia ecce formans montes et creans ventum et adnuntians homini eloquium suum faciens matutinam nebulam et gradiens super excelsa terrae Dominus Deus exercituum nomen eius

Amos : Caput 4

Confronting Israel's Hypocrisy

Amos chapter 4 presents us with a striking exposure of Israel's hypocrisy. Through this incisive text, God calls his people to repentance by criticizing not only the wealthy women of Samaria, but also the false religious zeal that reigns in the nation. This chapter evokes a series of calamities sent by God, warnings that the people choose to ignore.

An Urgent Call to Repentance

Amos 4 concludes with an urgent call to repentance and a reminder of divine sovereignty. Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that shed light on the themes of repentance and judgment present in this provocative chapter.

Biblical Themes of Repentance

Zechariah 1:3

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts: Return to me,' declares the Lord of hosts, 'and I will turn to you,' declares the Lord of hosts." This call to repentance echoes the repeated refrain of Amos 4:6-11: "Yet you have not turned to me. »

Leviticus 26:23-24

"If, despite these things, you do not accept my discipline but remain hostile toward me, I myself will be hostile toward you and will punish you seven times more for your sins." This passage from the Mosaic Law relates to Amos' warnings in Amos 4:6-11, where God sent calamities to call Israel to repentance.

Jeremiah 5:3

"Lord, do not your eyes seek faithfulness? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you devastated them, but they refused to be corrected. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent." This verse reflects the stubbornness of Israel described in Amos 4, where the people refuse to return to God despite punishment.

Isaiah 29:13

"The Lord said, 'These people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Their worship consists only of rules taught by men.'" This passage refers to Amos's critique of Israel's religious hypocrisy in Amos 4:4-5.

Hebrews 10:31

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" This New Testament verse captures the sense of impending judgment that Amos communicates in Amos 4:12-13.

Conclusion

Through these passages, we are invited to reflect on our own relationship with God and to recognize the importance of sincere repentance. May these words resonate in our hearts and inspire us to turn to the Lord with humility and faith.