The word from God spoken through Amos sounds like a blessing to our modern ears—I gave you cleanness of teeth. But the phrase quickly turns toward justice—and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to me.

The wealthy of Judah loved fine living. But their liberality came on the backs of the poor. Even famine failed to nip their panting, despite the catastrophe of wasted bodies and teeth falling from shriveled gums.

Failure to get what they wanted (food in this case), did not bring any recognition of a dismal relationship with God. Thus, even sterner judgements emerged down the road.

While you and I have plenty to eat, at times we feel like we’re missing something. Perhaps the Lord is withholding a desire in order to get our attention? Like the upper crust of Judah, I love fine living and easily focus on myself to the exclusion of others.

The Lord opens his hand to my delight, and closes his hand to turn my head. The lesson is to acknowledge this reality well before my teeth get cleaned.

Amos 4 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Wesley Tingey