Amos 5:15-17

Hate evil and love good,

   and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,

   will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:

In all the squares there shall be wailing;

   and in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! alas!’

They shall call the farmers to mourning,

   and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing; 

in all the vineyards there shall be wailing,

   for I will pass through the midst of you, says the Lord.

 

Comment:

Amos was a prophet of the Southern Kingdom, warning the society of the Northern Kingdom that there would be serious consequences if they continued to enrich themselves at the expense of farmers (Amos was a farmer) and others in the lower levels of society. He warns them that they must make different choices to continue their time of prosperity. This passage contains a lesson in how to choose; "Hate evil and love good," and what follows is a vivid description of the consequences of making "evil" choices.

Likewise for us: If our thoughts are focused on manipulating others, our life experience will be tense and negative. If, on the other hand, we choose to "love good," that choice will create a life experience that is centered in peace, love, and true abundance.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed