“The day of the Lord” is an important concept intertwined throughout the dearth of the prophetic writings. At this event God would come down to earth and vanquish His enemies, establishing His sovereign rule over the earth. Furthermore, it would be a time, in the mind of Israel, when God would establish the Israelites as His people forever. As verse 18 of Amos 5 demonstrates, however, Israel failed to see “the day of the Lord” as an event when God would judge sin equivocally and justly. Amos 5:18-24 serves therefore as God’s judgment on the false pretenses of Israel’s “religiosity.”
“The day of the Lord” would be a day of darkness for Israel, according to Amos. Relying solely on God’s side of His covenant, Israel believed they could live according to their own desires and still be honored by Almighty God. They viewed their sacrifices and empty observation of the sacrificial system as all-sufficient for God’s eternal blessing. Yet, Amos declares that “the day of the Lord” would not be their glorious exaltation, but rather, “it will be darkness and not light;” (5:18).
Verses 19-20 juxtapose Israel’s expectation with the reality of God’s judgment and hatred of false religion. “The day of the Lord” would not be a day of comfort but rather one of judgment. Whereas, Israel expected, because of their observation of the Levitical sacrifices, to be honored and find refuge from the turmoil of the present age in “the day of the Lord,” it would rather be a harsher day of suffering as their sinful lives and hearts would be exposed and displayed before YHWH. Amos characterizes this revelation before omniscient God as, “gloom with no brightness in it,” (5:20) illustrating God’s desire for a holy people who live with righteousness in their hearts, not just in their actions.
Verse 21 captures God’s proclamation of hatred against Israel’s religious observances. This passage is flooded with repeated declarations of God’s disdain of false religion: “I hate,” “I reject,” “I do not delight,” “I will not accept,” “I will not look,” and “I will not listen.” God Almighty distances Himself from Israel because of their false religion and false motives I worshiping Him. Though He is a faithful God who honors His promises, He is Just and must by His own confession judge wickedness and sloth. Verse 21 illustrates how Israel has ignored the heart of the Law, which is love for God and concern for others, replacing it with a selfish devotion to themselves. Therefore, verses 22-23 declare that God will no longer accept their sacrifices or observations. He will bear no acknowledgement of their “religious” actions since they bear no purity of heart.
Rather, what will transform the people’s sterile worship into an acceptable offering of devotion is justice and righteousness. Verse 24 illustrates that God’s desire is for religion of the heart. Clearly, Israel’s empty observances have borne no effect on the social order. Many were destitute and starving and receiving no aid or care from their neighbors and kinsmen. The prophet Amos observes elsewhere that while many die of poverty others live lavishly in opulence. True religion and devotion to God is characterized by one’s concern for others. This passage demonstrates that concern and care for others always accompanies sincere love and devotion to God. God declares that when the people of Israel commit themselves to justice and righteousness of the heart then He will accept their offerings and spare them in “the day of the Lord.” True worship begins within one’s heart in the decision and commitment to honor and love God purely. Only then will such righteousness pour out into other parts of one’s life making one’s sacrifices a pleasing aroma to God. Furthermore, such righteousness will produce a desire for justice and concern for the well-being of others. This progression of religion is the only faith which God desires and will honor resulting in the blessing and eternal security of being the people of God in “the day of the Lord.”
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