Advent, Day 1

The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and in the days of King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

I love the specific reference to an earthquake. Like, "Oh yeah, I know what year he's talking about."

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Damascus,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment ...

Those dang Damascus-ites. Give it to 'em, Amos.

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of the Ammonites,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment ...

Ammonites, too! God knows they deserve what's coming to 'em. Take down their city walls, why don'tcha?

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Moab,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment ...

Moabites! Oh yeah, we hate them. Well, there was Ruth, King David's ancestor ... but that story probably hasn't been written yet.

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Judah,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment ...

They're the worst of all! Stupid Judah-ites. If they weren't the way they are, we'd still have a united kingdom. But we all know you can't trust Southerners.

Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Israel,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment ...

Uh, Amos? Dude. You know that's us, right? You're supposed to be lambasting foreigners. Seriously, dude. Stop it.

because they sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals --
they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth,
and push the afflicted out of the way;
father and son go in to the same girl,
so that my holy name is profaned;
they lay themselves down beside every altar
on garments taken in pledge;
and in the house of their God they drink
wine bought with fines they imposed.

- Amos 1:1-5,13 - 2:8 (NRSV)

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Advent begins today. The first day of the Christian new year calls for some serious introspection and penitence. We can't begin to change our past bad behaviors until we identify them. We can't begin to hope for better things until we honestly assess what is wrong. It's not just gloomy or defeatist thinking. It's healthy, and it's necessary, to repent of our sins. Take a moment to do so today.