Word of Truth Fellowship

The book of Amos, particularly chapter 5, delivers a sobering message to Israel—a lamentation described as a funeral song for a nation that has strayed from God’s commands. Drawing from the Lexham English Septuagint and other translations, this passage exposes Israel’s heart issue: a superficial adherence to religious practices without genuine devotion. Through vivid imagery and stark warnings, Amos calls the people to seek God sincerely, reject idolatry, and embrace justice and righteousness. This blog post explores the profound lessons of Amos 5, highlighting its relevance for believers today who seek to worship in spirit and truth.

The Lamentation: A Funeral Song for Israel

Amos 5 opens with a haunting declaration: “Hear this word of YHWH, a lamentation, literally a funeral song” (Amos 5:1, Lexham English Septuagint). This is no ordinary prophecy—it’s a dirge, signaling that Israel is spiritually dead in God’s eyes. The imagery is stark: “She fell, never again to stand. The virgin Israel fell upon her land. There is no one who will raise her up” (Amos 5:2). The once-pure nation, likened to a virgin, has collapsed due to its unfaithfulness. The population will dwindle drastically, with cities that once sent out thousands reduced to hundreds, and hundreds to tens (Amos 5:3). This decimation is not merely physical but a consequence of their spiritual rebellion, as outlined in earlier chapters of Amos, where their mistreatment of others and disregard for God’s commands are laid bare.

The heart issue is clear: it’s not enough to perform rituals like the Sabbath or offer sacrifices mechanically. God desires worship from a heart aligned with His will. As the speaker notes, “It’s never been about, okay, well, if you just do the Sabbath… It’s all how are you doing it? Why are you doing it?” This challenges modern believers to examine their motives—whether in keeping holy days, attending services, or giving offerings. Are we acting out of obligation, tradition, or true devotion?

The Call to Seek YHWH and Live

Amid the judgment, God offers a lifeline: “Seek me out and you will live” (Amos 5:4). This is a call to turn from false worship centers like Bethel and Gilgal, which had become spiritually empty despite their historical significance. The Septuagint vividly describes Bethel as “a woman who does not exist” (Amos 5:5), underscoring its irrelevance in God’s eyes when corrupted by idolatry. The speaker explains, “These were places of importance… yet it’s like there’s nothing. Don’t even bother.” This serves as a warning against clinging to religious traditions or locations without ensuring they align with God’s truth.

The urgency of seeking God is heightened by the fate of the house of Joseph (representing the northern tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh): “So that the house of Joseph should not ignite like a fire” (Amos 5:6). The Assyrians’ conquest looms, but God’s mercy remains available to the remnant who truly seek Him. This remnant—described as a mere 10% of the population—echoes the biblical principle of a faithful few preserved through judgment, a theme resonant with the idea of a tithe, a small but significant portion dedicated to God.

Justice Turned to Wormwood

Amos 5:7 contrasts the Septuagint’s positive tone—“the one who is establishing judgment on high and righteousness for the land”—with the Hebrew’s condemnation: “You who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth” (Amos 5:7, ESV). The speaker highlights how Amos draws from Deuteronomy 29:18, warning against a “root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit” when hearts turn from God to idols. This discrepancy between translations reveals a deeper truth: Israel believed they were upholding justice, but their stubbornness transformed it into bitterness. The speaker notes, “You think you’re doing good… but I’m really just bringing bitterness.” This challenges us to reflect on whether our actions, though outwardly righteous, stem from a heart aligned with God’s will or from self-justification.

The Creator vs. Idolatry

Amos 5:8-9 contrasts God’s sovereignty with Israel’s idolatry. The Hebrew text emphasizes God as the creator of the Pleiades and Orion, turning “deep darkness into morning” and controlling the seas (Amos 5:8). Yet, the Septuagint omits the constellations, simply stating, “the one making all things and transforming and changing the shadow into the morning” (Amos 5:8). The speaker suggests this omission may reflect the translators’ context, possibly avoiding references to stars due to their association with idolatry. Indeed, Amos 5:26 condemns Israel for worshiping “the star of your God Kaiwan” (Saturn), a minor Babylonian deity. The speaker marvels, “They chose Saturn. Why? That’s still a mystery.” This idolatry, linked to the “tent of Molech,” reveals Israel’s adoption of pagan practices, even incorporating symbols like the star later associated with Solomon in Kabbalistic traditions.

The mention of Kaiwan (or Rephan in Acts 7:43) connects to broader biblical warnings against worshiping the “host of heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19). The speaker points out that amateur photos of Saturn resemble a star-like shape, possibly influencing Israel’s worship, contrasting sharply with NASA’s polished images. This serves as a reminder to modern believers to avoid elevating created things—whether stars, symbols, or traditions—above the Creator.

The Day of the Lord: Darkness, Not Light

Amos 5:18-20 delivers a chilling rebuke to those eagerly awaiting the “day of the Lord”: “Woe you who desire the day of the Lord… It is darkness and not light” (Amos 5:18). Through vivid imagery—a man escaping a lion only to meet a bear, or resting at home only to be bitten by a snake—Amos portrays this day as one of unrelenting judgment. The speaker emphasizes, “That’s the day of YHWH. You want that? Just saying.” This challenges the modern tendency to romanticize God’s return as a moment of triumph without acknowledging the judgment it brings for unrepentant hearts.

Rejected Feasts and the Call to Righteousness

God’s rejection of Israel’s worship is stark: “I have hated, I have rejected your feasts… Remove from me the sound of your songs” (Amos 5:21-23). The issue is not the acts themselves but the heart behind them. As the speaker states, “I don’t care about your religion… your praise, your worship, your sacrifices… Why? Because your heart isn’t in it.” Instead, God demands “judgment will roll along like water and righteousness like an unimpassable brook” (Amos 5:24). This echoes the call to seek good, not evil, and restore justice at the gates (Amos 5:15), ensuring that worship is accompanied by righteous living.

The reference to Israel’s wilderness wanderings (Amos 5:25) underscores that God accepted their devotion without sacrifices for 40 years, proving that rituals alone are insufficient. Their idolatry with Molech and Kaiwan further alienated them, leading to exile “beyond Damascus” (Amos 5:27), which Stephen in Acts 7:43 interprets as “beyond Babylon,” tying it to the broader narrative of rebellion.

The Messiah Son of Joseph: A Hidden Connection

A fascinating aside in the text is the mention of the “remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15) and its connection to a rabbinic concept of the “Messiah son of Joseph.” The speaker notes, “There is a Messiah figure that is called the Messiah son of Joseph… He’s from Galilee… a second Joshua… He’s going to defeat Satan and sin… ridiculed and killed violently.” This figure, found in pre-Christian rabbinic literature, strikingly resembles Yeshua, who hailed from Galilee and fulfilled a sacrificial role. The speaker’s discovery of this concept highlights how Scripture, even in Amos, contains layers of messianic expectation that challenge traditional Jewish and Christian readings.

Lessons for Today

Amos 5 is a wake-up call for believers to examine their worship and lifestyle. Are we performing religious acts out of habit, tradition, or a desire to appear holy, like Israel posting their Sabbath observance while living contrary to God’s commands? The speaker’s candid admission, “That’s the way I used to be,” invites us to reflect on our own inconsistencies. The call to “seek out what is good and not evil” (Amos 5:14) is a timeless directive to prioritize justice, righteousness, and a heart fully devoted to God.

As we navigate a world far removed from God’s commands, Amos 5 urges us to be a light in the darkness, not by clinging to empty rituals but by living out God’s truth. The speaker encourages us to “search these things out in scripture” like the Bereans, using tools like the Septuagint, Targums, and scholarly resources to deepen our understanding.

A Prayer for True Worship

Father, we thank You for Your Word that convicts and guides us. Forgive us for times when our worship has been empty, driven by tradition or obligation rather than a heart for You. Help us to seek You and live, to pursue justice and righteousness, and to reject the idols of our time. May we be a light in the darkness, reflecting Your truth and glory. YHWH, bless us and keep us; make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us; lift up Your countenance upon us and give us peace in Yeshua’s name. Amen.