July 21, 2019 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2 And He said, “Amos, what do you see?” So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me: “The end has come upon My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. 3 And the songs of the temple Shall be wailing in that day,” Says the Lord GOD — “Many dead bodies everywhere, They shall be thrown out in silence.” 4 ¶ Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, And make the poor of the land fail, 5 Saying: “When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit, 6 That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of sandals — Even sell the bad wheat?” 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their works. 8 Shall the land not tremble for this, And everyone mourn who dwells in it? All of it shall swell like the River, Heave and subside Like the River of Egypt. 9 “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day. 11 ¶ “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.” (Amos 8:1-12 NKJV)

If we apply this passage to ourselves and our world we should shudder in fear! Once again God gives a warning and cries out “Hear this”! God asks us to be honest about ourselves and how we live and shows us the result of our sin!

When we come to God we become like a basket of summer fruit for God makes us a source of nourishment and life. The fruit of God’s love in us nourishes others and plants the seed of life in them.

But like Israel we can believe our congregation, our denomination and even our nation will continue to be. The narrative in the Bible and a study of history reveals to us our gods and nations are swept away over time. Similar beliefs and nations will pop up but they too will pass away.

When God no longer passes by us it will not be long until we pass away! As the Light withdraws and darkness of evil brings inner and outer destruction. As the darkness extends its influence people can see good as evil and evil as good!

As the darkness is empowered and fewer see good as good the destruction will be physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Our emotions sway to and fro because we have lost the foundation of good which is God.

Physically we are weakened and sickness grows as confusion reigns because of fear and stress. Discipline dies and we become unable to support our community.

Spiritually our destruction comes from starvation! “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. God removes from us the spiritual Bread and Water of Life! This a starvation that has eternal consequences!

As the destruction grows confusion reigns and as in the book of Judges everyone does what seems right to them. We begin to pray AT those we disagree with. We become fear which is the seed of anger and hatred.

Which will you be? Will you be a summer fruit nourishing all and planting the seed of God’s love in the life of others? Will you carry the seeds of your destruction bring starvation to others? Your choice is part of the life or death of all you hold dear.