Reading 66 • November 18
Today's Scripture
Amos 2:6–16
Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals — they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way; father and son go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink wine bought with fines they imposed.
Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of cedars, and who was as strong as oaks; I destroyed his fruit above, and his roots beneath. Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. And I raised up some of your children to be prophets and some of your youths to be nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel? says the Lord. But you made the nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, “You shall not prophesy.” So, I will press you down in your place, just as a cart presses down when it is full of sheaves. Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain their strength, nor shall the mighty save their lives; those who handle the bow shall not stand, and those who are swift of foot shall not save themselves, nor shall those who ride horses save their lives; and those who are stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, says the Lord. (NRSV)
Reflection
I see you, but I don’t see you.
The light turns red. I stop my car at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Hollywood Avenue on a Friday evening.
The following silent exchange occurs: A person with a worn sign and empty plastic cup approaches my window. I instantly deploy my defenses. I look straight ahead and make sure the windows are closed; I suddenly become fascinated with the glove compartment contents.
I create distance, hoping that by avoiding the one begging and his gaze, I also avoid the discomfort of his need. The traffic light turns; I hit the gas and finally see the person’s face in the rearview mirror.
What a jerk! Shame.
In today’s lesson, God, through the prophet Amos, unleashes God’s fiercest condemnation on people like me — those who fail to see, and help, those in need. We are the ones who, in effect, “sell the righteous for silver” and “trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground.”
It is our indifference and hypocrisy that provokes God’s anger. In Amos’s time, just like today, exploitation of the vulnerable was a customary practice. It is all too simple to choose convenience over the difficult opportunity to engage with, and assist, a person in need.
But the God of justice challenges us to share our hearts, treasures, and community. God wants us to reflect goodness. Only when we genuinely acknowledge another person’s humanity — be they someone begging on the street, a political enemy or a difficult neighbor — can we truly affirm our own.
Prayer
Dear God, please open my eyes and soften my heart. Help me engage with each wondrous child of yours using the Good Samaritan as my model, showing kindness, grace, and humility. Amen.
Written Phil Calian, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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