We’re still in the book of Amos and the Lord is speaking through His prophet Amos to the people of Israel. He’s told them:
“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring Me 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!” (Amos 5:21-23).
And why did the Lord reject Israel’s worship? One word is a big part of the answer:
“Woe to you who are complacent in Zion…” (Amos 6:1a).
What does the word “complacent” mean? Pleased with yourself; self-satisfied. The Israelites went through the motions of worship, but in their hearts they were smugly content in and of themselves. In other words, they foolishly thought that their half-hearted worship placated (appeased, pacified) the Lord and that was all they really needed to do.
And so He continues His charges against them: “You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and calves. Your strum away on your harps like David and improvise on your musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions…” (Amos 6:4-6a).
To put it into today’s terminology, the Israelites lived like they had it “made in the shade.” No worries, mon. They had a lot of nice stuff and they loved it. Was having the stuff the problem? No. Being “complacent” was their problem. Amos 6:6 ends with this:
“…caring nothing at all that your brothers need your help” (Living Bible paraphrase).
The well-to-dos looked around at those in need and yawned. Those who had more than enough looked at those who were doing without and said, “It ain’t my problem.”
But it was their problem. And people in need today are our problem. As members of the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we aren’t to ignore the needy – we’re to help them.
As we sit down to our meals of abundance, let’s remember those less fortunate and thank the Lord for putting the food on our tables. But even before we do that, let’s do something radical and Christ-like: invite a lonely person to share our meal. Take a meal to someone who’d appreciate a good hot dinner. Do something to show that we have the time and the compassion to touch a life less fortunate than our own.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me. Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me” (Jesus speaking, Matthew 25:40, 45).
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture is from the New International Version (NIV).
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