The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-05
Amos condemns social injustice.
u Kings I4:23-2s; Amos !, 8.
BY RALPH ROGERS

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u Kings l4:23-2s; Amos !. 8.
BY RALPH ROGERS
This lesson is loaded with dyna-
mite. Amos, one Of Gods fearless
prophets, Numbered against the
evils Of the day, in politics, in the
social life and above all in relig-
ion. The political situation was cor
rupt, the social life was polluted
and religion. as could be expected
under those conditions, was at
a low ebb. Whose business was it
to cry out against the evils x the
preacher? Those wallowing in the
filth and CRIME think not.
Evil Times
Israel had endured and suffered
severely from the attacks Of Syria
and had lost the whole Of her ter
ritory east Of the Jordan. At this
time there was a lull in the pres
sure from the east since Syria was
being put under severe pressure
in the south by Assyria. She had
her hands full and so Israel was
enjoying temporary prosperity and
peace. These were evil days. War
IS not the worst calamity that can
befall a nation, but in prosperity
the religious indifference and NOR
al decadence can so weaken ma
ton as to make it an easy prey to
any ism or enemy.
Amos was prophesying in the
days when Uzziah and Jereboam
II were reigning contemporaneous-
ly, one in the kingdom and the
other in judah, about B. c. 775-75o.
It was under Jeroboam that Israel
had once more come into her own,
regaining some of her lost terri
tories, revealing in prosperity, and
feeling that peace with her enc
mics was permanently assured.
Amos could see danger ahead not
only politically but morally as well.
Assyria was soon to attack Israel
and she was so weakened as to fall
an easy prey to the invaders. As
syria was eventually to pass by
Damascus and push on down into
Palestine when the land would
tremble and every one mourn that
dwelleth therein.
Amos The Man
Amos says that he twas no pro-
phet, neither was a prophets
son." but in the following state.
ment he says, Jehovah said unto
me, Go prophecy" The early life
of Amos was spent with people at
the grass roots. He knew the evils
that befell the poor and accused
those in power, 20 We that would
swallow up the needy and cause
the poor of the land to fail" He
did not mince words when he pro.
phesied the death Of Jeroboam.
The phony priest of Bethel sent
word to the King that Amos con-
spired against him and Israel.
Perhaps Amaziah, the priest at
Bethel questioned the authenticity
of such a rude prophecy. Amos
was a herdsman, a small sheep
farmer in Tekoa, a little town
some six miles south Of Bethle.
hem. The fine wool he produced
from his herd took him to several
towns in the sale of the product.
He also was q 'pincer OF syca.
mores' the fruit of which fastened
toward ripening by being bruised
or pinched. Such a varied and sim.
pie life of the uplands and the
aloofness from the dissipation of
the weather. groups and isolation
from the priestly or prophetic
guilds, accounts for his directness
of vision and bluntness of speech.
Visit TO Bethel
Amos had gone to Bethel for
some religious feast or festival.
This was also a business market
and no doubt many from over the
kingdom were in attendance, on
business or attending the festival
This was a wonderful opportunity
for Amos to express himself
since some time before he had
felt the call to prophesy for both
Kingdoms. north and south. Amidst
It's throns he proclaims his vision
OF Jehovah standing with a plumb
Ire to measure the shortcomings
of Israel and to punish the sin:
of the house Of Jeroboam II.
Amaziah, the puppet priest a
Bethel. thinking Amos to be ons
of the prophetic guild from Judah
told him to get out of town, that h
would handle affairs in Israel him
self. Amos claimed no connection
with the hireling prophets who gen
orally jabbered the soft saying!
Of the political and business big