Amos 1-5

“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” (5:15).  The prophet Amos urged Israel to change their ways before it was too late. God despised their rituals and offerings (5:21-22) because they ignored justice and righteousness (5:24); God’s wrath was coming because they had “trampled on the poor” (5:11-12) and practiced sexual violence and immorality (2:6-7).  

“Seek good, and not evil, that you may live” (5:14). Our religious words and self-identification are worthless, unless we practice personal holiness and show others the same mercy we have received.