Condemnation of pride
Day 455, Sunday, Nov. 9
Amos Chapters 4 – 6
Pride and injustice are the concerns Amos lifts up in today’s reading.
In a bitter, almost sarcastic passage, he says in 4:5, “‘Burn the leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings—boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Through Amos God reminds the people of all the times he has sent hardship on them to encourage them to turn back to him, yet their pride has kept them from doing so.
In 4:12 we read the ominous words, “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.”
“Seek good, not evil, that you may live,” Amos writes in 5:14. He continues, “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.”
In one of the most familiar passages from Amos, the prophet says later in the same chapter that religious ritual without real obedience is objectionable to him: “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.”
“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Sunday meditation

Psalms 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer focus
In a world of evil, let us live without fear.