Am 4:4-13

Back to Amos~

Back to Contents

Religion without God (Am 4:4-13)

In words of cutting irony, Amos calls the people to the places of worship, encouraging them to continue their zealous but unspiritual religious exercises. The more they do so, the more they will increase their sin. They are corrupt, immoral, ungodly, greedy, lawless and violent, yet they love to make a show of their religious zeal. Amos mocks them by urging them to offer their sacrifices daily (normally, private citizens did this yearly), to offer their tithes every three days (instead of every three years), to present their sacrifices with leaven (which was forbidden), and to advertise their free-will offerings (instead of offering them privately) (Am 4:4-5).

God sent famine and drought, with the aim that the people would see these things as a punishment from him and so turn from their sins; but they did not (Am 4:6-8).

Mildew and locusts destroyed much of their crops; disease, war and an earthquake killed many of their people; but there was still no sign of repentance (Am 4:9-11).

God will therefore act in a more terrible judgment. It will be too late to repent and Israel will be forced to meet its God (Am 4:12-13).