March 1, 2020, Amos 5:18-24 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflection

IV.
Judgement – Darkness – “ … Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light — pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?”

Most of the time we would think – or certainly want to think – the “Day of the Lord” would come with light and joy, but that is not what Amos portrays. And there is much in the passage to assume that is not what his hearers expected.

V.
“… without a ray of brightness …”

Does Amos want to “pull the run out from under the people”?

Does he want them to give up hope? At least what they have based they hope on?

Where has their hope been placed?

VI.
I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.

VII.
What festivals? What rituals? What routines? Do you and I hope in?

What do we keep doing out of habit that we think will bring us closer to God or at least closer to what we want from God?

When has being in the dark a while been helpful, a growing place for you?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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