Amos 5:1-17

The theme of Lament is an important one in the Bible. This makes sense when you think about it. Experiences and tragedies that bring people to lament their circumstance is an integral part of the human experience. The writers of scripture lament all through it's writings including the Psalms especially. But there's even a book called "Lamentations."

In many ways we have lost this practice in the modern experience. Much of the Christians world has put on a bit of a face. We want people to know how joyous and happy our faith has made us, so we speak about our faith as if everything in our lives is better and happier beause of it. Some (we might all know a person like this) seems to just burst with bubbly giddiness all the time be cause the Bible tells them to be joyous.

And there is an aspect of joy to faith and spirituality. However, to hyper-focus on the joyous natures of faith is beyond misleading into the realm of dishonesty. We all feel sadness and loss in life, and to ignore the anger, even hatred, that can come from these experiences is disingenuous to say the least. If we are to decalare our joy in faith, then it makes sense to declare out lament in faith as well. The realities of life and spirituality demand it. This is why it's so common in scripture.

So far the book of Amos is filled with all sorts of great imagery about the injustice and evil's of the nation. Amos speaks to a people boldly, sarcastically, and almost contemtuously at times to those who live in comfort on the backs of the poor. Heere though, in 5:1-17, we get Amos lamenting the disasters that are coming. This seems natural. even when we see the injustices of the world we may lament the evils that have been caused, and the catasstrafies that bring this justice.

This passage is a Lament of sorts. It is formed in a Chiasm. The passage begins and ends with lament wirting, but between them is a calling to seek God and justice. In the middle of all this is a hymn of praise to God declaring his power over all things. There is a wonderful point here. In the middle of our lament, God's glory still reigns.

We live in a time where many beleive that God is only in the positive. God gives us good things and protects us from bad things. But this misses one of the central truths of scripture. God is in the midst of all of our situations. It is only up to us to come to him with all of our feelings whether they be joy or anger, peace or hatred. God is bg enough to take it all.

For Discussion:
1) What are you lamenting the most right now? Describe your feelings. Do you feel confident to bring all those feelings to God.
2) The improper worship led to the temples being unsafe for the Israelites to find refuge. Christian places of worship have been destroyed throughout history. How do you "rely on the temple?"
3) This hymn shows the power of inversion. How is the decription of God's power to reverse things relevant?