Rochester, MN UCC - "Whose Side?" - Amos 8:1-12

Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, "When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat." The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely, I will never forget any of their deeds.  - Amos 8:4-7

The prophets have a terrible job- they get to be God's mouthpiece when the people have gone way out of bounds and God wants to talk to them.  No one wants to hear what they are doing wrong and certainly don't enjoy hearing that God is going to punish them for it.  In this week's reading, Amos is delivering news to those in the northern telling them of the coming end when those who took advantage of and exploited the poor will fall by divine judgement.

Thinking of God's judgement and God's wrath is challenging.  It seemingly contradicts our understanding of a God who loves us all so much that they would never leave us, yet we also know that our God is a God who cares for the poor, the suffering, and the lonely.  God's compassion for the lowly is so great, that the cruel systems we create and the indifference shown to those in need invokes a response- justice.  And the reordering that comes with divine justice means that some are lifted and others will be lowered.

What would God say to us about exploiting the poor?  About creating systems that oppress those who already have little?  About how we as individuals engage or chose not engage with the suffering of those we encounter in the world?  In facing these questions, we can see the way through.  God does not leave us, but is calling us to care so deeply about the plight of our neighbors that we can’t help but walk in solidarity with the oppressed.

Pastor Shannon Smith