Corrupted Morals; Calloused Hearts

"You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts."
Amos 5:12b

There are many biblical passages that rightly assault the notion that man apart from God is a noble vessel. Worldly philosophy has long sought to con humanity into believing that inherent goodness resides within us, and that we need no other influence than our own to daily exercise virtue and appropriateness. But the observant watchers and followers of God know that Scriptural accounts state otherwise. God's Word awakens us to the truth, and reveals that humanity possesses a very sinister nature, a nature that can only be overcome with the instruction, influence, intervention, and infusion of the Lord Himself. One such biblical chronicle that stirs us to realize just how far gone we can become morally without God's help is the book of Amos. 

Amos is a humbling narrative to read for it paints a very grotesque portrait of God’s covenantal people: Israel. But this message is not confined to the ancient Hebrews alone. After all, the very same spiritual emptiness and apathy that pervaded Israel so many years ago can just as easily creep into modern-day fellowships as well. And this understanding should generate a desire to guard our lives from corruption and callousness. Throughout Amos there is a holy rebuke of wicked character and wicked choices. God’s analysis of Israel cuts to the quick. He evaluated His people and found them devoid of dignity, and devoid of devotion to Him. The injustice and dishonesty that permeated Israel upset God tremendously. While there are several justifications to God’s condemnation that are worth exploring let us briefly discuss three in particular. 

One, God deplores denigration. In Amos 2:7a, the Lord said that the Israelites trampled the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground. In other words, not only did the privileged refuse to respond the needy, the well-off harassed and insulted the lowly too, thus adding insult to injury. What a sad commentary of mankind. God has long sought to instill in His followers a fundamental desire to tend to the disadvantaged and distraught, which is why so many biblical passages reinforce the necessity of caring for orphans and widows. In this context, we find Jesus’ willingness to help society’s destitute intensely compelling. It stands to reason that God takes exception with believers overlooking and minimizing the pain that those of a poor economic status often find themselves experiencing. Therefore, the Lord’s people should be sensitive to horizontal hardships and seek opportunities to ease the burdens that weigh others down. This was evidently not the case in ancient Israel and God reprimanded the Hebrews because of it.

Two, God deplores debauchery. In Amos 2:7b, the Lord said that father and son slept with the same woman and profaned His holy name. Furthermore, they made public their obscene behavior by performing depraved acts near every idolatrous altars. One of the most grotesque and grievous aspects of sin is found in the sexual arena. It consumes and becomes a gateway for utterly deplorable etiquette. And such was the case with ancient Hebrew people according to Amos 2:7-8. Per this account, perversion was rampant. Promiscuity was rampant. Prostitution was rampant. There was essentially no moral restriction on the sensual pursuits of Judah’s residents. And not only did the fleshly conduct take place in peoples’ homes, but it spread into the community through false temples and shrines. When such unrestrained behavior becomes the norm, godliness and goodness disappear. Sadly, the people, by and large, placed  their central means of fulfillment in self-pleasure rather than spiritual purity. And thus God’s rebuke in Amos 2 included a candid call-out of the Israelites inability to recognize the destructive quality that is ushered in through debauchery. 

Three, God deplores drunkenness. In Amos 2:8, the Lord said that the Israelites went into ungodly sanctuaries and drank heavily, and without discipline. Few things can cause a person to lose inhibition and control like intoxication. Drinking in and of itself is not the transgression as defined in God’s Word. But drinking alcohol with the intent to relinquish sober thought and disposition is what draws God’s frustration and violates His command. The Lord wants His people to be mindful of their attitude and activity. So willfully choosing to ingest alcoholic content that temporarily, or in some cases permanently, prohibits cognitive function invites trouble to our doorstep. Therefore God’s excoriation in Amos 2:8b is a motivation to be sober in both body and soul.

In summary, God chastised the Israelites for their crimes against one another, especially in regard to overlooking, or oppressing, the downtrodden. The “me-first” nature of the ancient Hebrews sickened God. When humanity no longer values the sanctity of human life, and no longer cares for the desperate needs of others who are struggling you can be sure it will sadden the Lord and draw His denunciation. Widows, orphans, and the homeless – such people are dear to God and deserve additional attention from God’s followers. 

This national condemnation should embolden believers of every generation to understand the impact of personal and family dedication to the Lord. If but a few can devote themselves to God’s will and ways then perhaps we can positively affect the culture, and world, around us. May we be a people, a country, who crave God’s truth rather than the trappings of this world. May be we a people, a country, who choose to be incorruptible and compassionate. May we be a people, a country, under God’s guidance and governance.