Daily Devotions
Amos
"Pervert the way of the humble"
Text: Amos 2:7
MORE SINS LISTED
The sins of Israel were not just confined to bullying the poor and down-trodden. Other sins were highlighted as well.
“They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor,
And pervert the way of the humble.
A man and his father go in to the same girl,
To defile My holy name.
They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge,
And drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.”
Amos 2:7-8
1. “They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor”
a) This is a sad description of how hard the poor had to work to make a living.
b) Obviously, they do menial work for dust is on their head.
c) The rich oppressors:
i) They worked hard (panted) at exacting what is owed to them.
ii) The would chase after the poor to pay back what is owed.
iii) No mercy or compassion was ever exercised.
iv) They must expect no mercy when they are judged by the Lord.
2. “And pervert the way of the humble”
a) Sometimes the rich and powerful exact payment in other forms.
b) They may even ask that their debts be paid in terms of sexual favours.
c) Thus, perversion is practised. The humble poor have no recourse to protect themselves.
3. “A man and his father go in to the same girl, to defile My holy name”
a) Father and son are alike in this perversion.
b) They do not think it wrong to do this to the poor women folk.
c) This deed defiled the holy name of God.
This sin of the rich and powerful oppressors would not go unpunished!
4. “They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge”
a) Sometimes the poor have to pledge their clothes to secure a loan.
b) The rich lie on these clothes by every altar (reference to idolatrous practices).
5. “And drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god”
As part of the worship of the particular idol, drinking was greatly encouraged. They did not realise they were drinking to their certain condemnation! Israel since its formation had turned away from God to worship idols!