Page 91 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

dwelling place because of people’s sins Instead of worshipping God, people had
and their failure to change. turned to idolatry, which was against the
covenant way of life.
Prophet Amos and the funeral song–
A response to social injustice Additionally, cultic prostitution was a
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
This covers Amos’ call for repentance serious problem in Israel at the temple
of Israel because of their sins. Amos of Bethel. It profaned the holiness
sang a funeral song over Israel. The of God. Sex abuse was common; for
song was sung in response to various example, a father and a son would share
sins committed by the Israelites. There one slave woman. However, according
was gross inequality of income. The to the Mosaic teaching, children were
poor were very poor because they lost expected to respect their parents (Amos
their property to the rich. There was 2:7-8).
over-taxation on the side of the poor
and unfair rent. The poor had no say in Activity 5.4
courts of law. An instance of this was Read Amos 7:10-17 to discover the
when a poor man could travel all the way relationship between the modern
to Samaria to get justice, but instead, he
would get injustice in the courts of law religious leaders and the political
(Amos 5:11). leaders.

Furthermore, there was luxury and Exercise 5.4
extravagance on the part of the rich;
they bought themselves expensive robes 1. As a student of Amos’ teachings, how
and ointments while the poor went with can you handle cases of injustice in
cloaks of linen wool. The rich had both society?
summer and winter houses decorated 2. Do modern Christians receive
with ivory, whereas the poor men could visions from the Lord? Support your
not afford them. The rich were also answer.
greedy for money. They overcharged
their commodities and cheated their
customers by mixing wheat with dust. Social justice and community rights
The rich were lending at high interest in the Bible
rates, and if the poor person failed to pay How many millions have perished,
back, his property would be confiscated and how often have human rights
(Amos 5:12). been violated because of corruption,
oppression and colonialism throughout

They offered unclean sacrifices. Yet, human history? How often has religion
according to the Mosaic teachings, affiliated with the powerful and
they were expected to offer only clean prosperous but overlooked the victims
sacrifices. There was idol worship. of oppression: the poor, exploited,

82 Form Five Student’s Book