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Amos 5

27 verses

TL;DR

Amos 5 condemns Israel’s injustice, calls them to seek the LORD, and warns that the day of the LORD will bring darkness and captivity.

Summary

In this chapter, Amos delivers a lamentation to the house of Israel, condemning their social injustice and idolatry. He warns that the city will shrink from thousands to hundreds and that the people must turn away from false worship places like Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba. Amos urges the Israelites to seek God, promising that those who do will live, while those who remain in wickedness will suffer. He describes the day of the LORD as a time of darkness, mourning, and judgment, rejecting their sacrifices and feasts. The prophet declares that Israel will be driven into captivity beyond Damascus, and that the LORD will pass through them with punishment. The passage emphasizes the need for righteousness, repentance, and the avoidance of false religious practices.

Outline
  1. Prophetic condemnation of Israel’s injustice and idolatry.
  2. Call to seek God and reject false places of worship.
  3. Prediction of the day of the LORD as a time of judgment, mourning, and captivity.
Themes
Judgment and repentanceThe Day of the Lord as a time of darknessCritique of social injustice and false worship
Keywords
LordIsraelBethelGilgalBeershebaDay of the LordjudgmentrighteousnesssacrificeMoloch
People
Lord (YHWH)GodIsrael (collective)
Places
BethelGilgalBeershebaDamascusthe house of Josephthe wilderness
Things
seven stars and Orionfire in the house of Josephsacrifices and offeringsMolochChiuntabernacle
Key Verses
  • Amos 5:4: Highlights the core promise: seeking the LORD leads to life.
  • Amos 5:6: Reiterates the call to seek God and warns against false places.
  • Amos 5:18: Declares the day of the LORD as darkness, setting the tone for judgment.
  • Amos 5:24: Emphasizes justice as a powerful, life‑giving stream.
Questions
  • What does Amos mean by describing the day of the LORD as darkness rather than light?
  • How does the call to seek God contrast with the warning against specific cities?
  • In what ways does Amos’s critique of social injustice reflect broader prophetic themes?
  • What is the significance of the repeated motif of water and streams in relation to justice?
  • How should modern readers apply the warnings about idolatry and false worship in today’s context?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter is largely a warning and condemnation of Israel’s sins.