Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM
Updated: Sunday, 8 November 2009, 17:09 (GMT)
1 February 2006 | Amos 5 v 10-13
You hate those who speak in court against evil, and you can’t stand those who tell the truth.You walk on poor people, forcing them to give you grain.
You have built fancy houses of cut stone, but you will not live in them.
You have planted beautiful vineyards, but you will not drink the wine from them.
I know your many crimes, your terrible sins.
You hurt people who do right, you take money to do wrong, and you keep the poor from getting justice in court.
In such times the wise person will keep quiet, because it is a bad time.
Notes
This reading begins and ends about speaking. The lines that fall between are about abuse. Actually there is little communication between the abused and the abusers. The abused have lost their rights and become an inconvenience, and are treated as a commodity devoid of humanity.What has this to do with you? Simple - your voice. Start to speak out. Amos says, “In such times the wise person will keep quiet, because it is a bad time.” Either Amos is contradicting his own lifestyle or he is being ironic. I think he is being ironic, maybe even quoting his own king who wanted him to go and speak in Judah and leave him alone. Who will you not leave alone? Did you take part in Make Poverty History, have you bothered to research fair-trading?
I’m writing this from Northern Ireland. We have just heard that one third of our children live in poverty; I’m now asking myself how I’m going to speak up. What abuse/oppression do you know of in your area or nation? Will you write to your national leader? Don’t end this day without “speaking out”. The other thing you can do is act differently to the culture of the “bad days”. Reverse this passage - search out and love those who exercise justice and highlight evil.
Stop using others so you stay on top, serve those who you tend to avoid. Don’t hurt other people. Make a difference for those who find it hard to make ends meet. In such things the wise do speak up and so stop the bad days. Get involved. Speak up.
Prayer
Lord, don’t let this day end until I have acted or spoken up for those abused by the days and people which are bad. AmenSeven young people from Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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Bible Study Archive
- 6 November 2009 | Carried in loving arms
- 5 November 2009 | Anger
- 4 November 2009 | Troubled Hearts
- 3 November 2009 | Jealousy
- 2 November 2009 | Persevere in Service
- 1 November 2009 | The Blessing of a Godly Rebuke
- 31 October 2009 | Reputation or Character
- 30 October 2009 | Strangers no more
- 29 October 2009 | Doing things my way or God’s way
- 28 October 2009 | How Firm is Your Anchor?
- 27 October 2009 | Chosen to bear fruit
- 26 October 2009 | From Obscurity to Glory
- 25 October 2009 | Small in Size, Big in Influence!
- 24 October 2009 | How to Shrink your Problems
- 23 October 2009 | A Different Message
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