Old Testament question re: Amos- What's up with all of the Socialist talk? [View All]

[JanMichael]

Ok, I know, I'm a non-believer of the first magnitude but what about this Amos character. What's his story?

This probably isn't a good question for the NT types but it looks good to hit the Bushites with, they seem heavy into the OT.

Leave it to Cliff Notes..."While in the cities, Amos was deeply troubled not only by the contrast between the rich and the poor but by the way in which the political and religious leaders tried to justify this disparity."

(Amos 4:1 NASB) "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, "Bring now, that we may drink!""

(Amos 5:11-12 NASB) "Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor And exact a tribute of grain from them, Though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, Yet you will not live in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. <12> For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, You who distress the righteous and accept bribes, And turn aside the poor in the gate."

(Amos 8:4-6 NASB) "Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land, <5> saying, "When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, <6> So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?""


Sounds like Marx could have snipped a few of these lines.

What say you?

I know, that was corny...