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"They abhor the one who speaks uprightly"

Text: Amos 5:10

WICKED SINS OF ISRAEL

Many were the sins of ancient Israel. These sins were highlighted as some of the reasons why God had to chastise the nation so severely.

“They hate the one who rebukes in the gate,
And they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.
Therefore, because you tread down the poor
And take grain taxes from him,
Though you have built houses of hewn stone,
Yet you shall not dwell in them;
You have planted pleasant vineyards,
But you shall not drink wine from them.”
Amos 5:10-11

1. Hatred and abhorrence

a) The unrighteous hated those who stood up to rebuke them.

b) Those who spoke uprightly were abhorred.

c) “In the gate”

i) This phrase was often used to describe the business centres in ancient Israel.

ii) Corrupt business deals were perpetrated by the powerful and the rich.

iii) Those who rose up to protest were hated and abhorred by the unrighteous.

2. The rich and powerful rulers

a) They imposed heavy taxes (e.g. grain taxes).

b) The poor suffered the most.

c) Those who could not pay taxes were punished (jail or confiscation of farms).

3. Ill-gotten gains

a) The ill-gotten wealth was used to build the hewn stone houses.

i) These were houses made with beautifully crafted stones.

ii) These houses were costly; their wealth was derived from bullying the poor.

b) Others used their wealth to build pleasant vineyards.

i) Extensive tracts of land were needed to build these pleasant vineyards.

ii) These lands were purchased with money that came about from corrupt business practices and heavy taxes.

4. The Lord’s warning

The wicked rich and powerful will not be able to enjoy their homes. Those who planted beautiful vineyards would not drink the wine they hoped would come from the grapes. God would cause war to ruin their hopes.