Amos has the message down. Actually, it is more that he has "being a messenger" down. Not only down, the words just roll.
Having marked the end of my reading yesterday, I just had to go back to chapter 4 and read it again, and from there, on through the end of chapter seven. It's like looking in an historical mirror. Compare today to then.
Better yet, compare then to now!
Amos, speaking for the Lord God Almighty lays down some very heavy stuff for his listeners. It's surprising [more]that he has made it to chapter four. Anyone today who would dare speak this way would be labeled a "quack" or "ultra-right-wing conservative". You know, one of those Jesus Freaks. Somebody who wants us to believe that the Bible means what it actually says.
Today's world (the people) would be out for Amos on radio and TV and in newspapers as someone who doesn't care about how "hurtful" their words are to people who have worked hard. After all, those people he is condemning are "good people. Look how well they have done."
Take a look at the book of Amos for yourself, and start drawing comparisons to our world. People go to church and brag about it. They give to "causes" and boast about how great that makes them.
All God wanted was for His people to return to Him – to put Him first and worship Him. But they would not. He reminds them through Amos that even though they lack water and crops and their young men are dying in battle, they only need "return."
Many would say that God is mean or vengeful, but he gave warnings time and time again. Even here, Amos reminds me so much of our world today. He says "you hate the one who reproves in court and dispise people who tell the truth." (5:10) His admonition and promise are that if we "hate evil and love good and maintain justice in the court, then perhaps the Lord God will have mercy on us/them. (5:15)"
That was it!
All they had to do was change the way they were living! Nothing had changed about the God who gave them life – freed them from Egypt – gave them victories in the desert – enriched their nation! Nothing!
Changing means I have to be different. Is that really so hard?