Advent Devotional Resource - San Francisco Theological Seminary

Sunday, November 29Amos 1:1-5; 1:13-2:8The book of Amos begins with a bold assertion that Yahweh is Lord and judge over all the nations.God’s voice of judgment is stylized as the “roar” of an angry lion (verse 2). First in verses 1:3-2:3,God’s successive judgment on the sins of seven nations that are Israel’s neighbors is proclaimed withthe repetitive formula: “For three transgressions … and for four … I will not revoke the punishment.”To this point, God’s chosen people have been allowed to bask in righteous indignation at theevil “out there” in the lives of others, on the assumption that God’s favor is on their side. But thentheir presumption and complacency are shattered when the divine judgment is focused in 2:4-8squarely on Judah, and then even more squarely on Israel. The rest of Amos focuses on the sins ofJudah and Israel, our sins…not theirs.The problem? Social injustice. The royal family and leaders of Israel in this period are comfortableand affluent while ordinary Israelites and Judeans struggle to meet their basic needs. The richand powerful demonstrate a shocking lack of compassion and moral/ethical values. They are notlistening to the Word of the Lord. This complacent self-satisfaction is justified through deceit andmanipulation.In I Peter 4:17, the New Testament church is warned that “judgment begins with the household ofGod.” Our capitulation to American cultural values, our affluence, our comfortable lives in Marin,our righteous indignation at the sins of others; none of these are that different from the lives of thewealthy and powerful to whom Amos’ prophetic word is addressed. In this Advent season, let us turnthe finger of God’s judgment around on ourselves when we are tempted to point it toward others.Which of us is righteous? Who among us has not wounded and oppressed our sister or our brother?Who are we to assume we are the victim and someone else is the oppressor?Judgment begins with the household of God.God of grace, forgive our self-righteousness. Humbly, may we open our hearts, our lives, our lifestyles to theprophetic critique of your Word. And may we respond to you with graciousness and compassion, as we seekto be bearers of your justice and righteousness, both in our lives and in the world.Rev. Dr. Philip W. ButinSFTS PresidentProfessor of Theology