QT 05/11/2025 Wed. Amos 6 Woe to the Comfortable and Complacent 祸哉！安逸自满者

QT 05/11/2025 Wed. Amos 6 Woe to the Comfortable and Complacent
READ http://www.esv.org/Amos6

(1) The Danger of Complacency (Amos 6:1-7)

Verse 1: "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria..."

Context: Amos begins by pronouncing a "woe" on those who are comfortable and secure in their material success, the elite class in both Zion (Jerusalem) and Samaria (the capital of Israel). They were at ease, not because they trusted in God, but because they felt protected by their wealth and power.

Reflection: The Israelites of Amos’ era had lost their sense of dependence on God. They had built comfortable lives through their own power and resources. Their security was in their material prosperity rather than the Lord. They became complacent in their faith, no longer seeking God or reflecting His justice and righteousness in the world.

(2) A Call to Examine Our Hearts (Amos 6:4-6)

Verses 4-6: "Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the stall... who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!"

Context: Amos describes the luxurious lifestyles of Israel’s elite. They live in luxury, self-indulgence, and excess, without any regard for the spiritual condition of their people or the brokenness around them.

Reflection: Despite all their wealth and comforts, the leaders of Israel were indifferent to the suffering of their fellow countrymen. They were not grieved over the moral and social decay in their land. Their focus was entirely on their pleasure and comfort, and they ignored the call to justice and mercy.

(3) The Consequence of Complacency: Judgment (Amos 6:7-14)

Verses 7-14: "Therefore, they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away."

Context: Because the people were unconcerned with God’s justice, their pleasure-seeking lifestyle, and neglecting the needs of others, God announces judgment. The luxurious lifestyle they were living would soon be replaced by exile and destruction. They had lost their moral compass and would face the consequences of their choices.

Reflection: The people’s pride and arrogance (evident in their material prosperity and self-sufficiency) would lead to their downfall. God was not interested in their rituals or wealth; He wanted them to live rightly, to pursue justice, and to care for the oppressed.

Conclusion: Amos 6 is a powerful reminder to examine our hearts and our lives. It challenges us to ask:

(1) Are we comfortable and complacent, relying on our wealth, security, or status?

(2) Have we ignored the needs of others while pursuing our own pleasure?

(3) Are we willing to repent, seek justice, and live lives that reflect the righteousness of God?

(4) God calls us not to settle for a spiritual comfort zone but to live actively in pursuit of justice, mercy, and obedience to Him. May we heed the warning of Amos and seek a life that honours God, cares for others, and seeks His righteousness in all things.

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that we often seek comfort and security in things other than You. We ask for Your forgiveness for our complacency and apathy toward the needs of others. Stir our hearts to be moved with compassion for the brokenness around us and give us the strength to live out Your justice and mercy. Help us to live humbly, walk in obedience, and seek Your glory in all that we do. In Jesus' name, amen.

QT 05/11/2025 星期三.   阿摩司书 6 祸哉！安逸自满者
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/amo/6/

(1) 自满的危险（阿摩司书6:1-7）

第1节：“那些在锡安平静安逸的，安稳在撒玛利亚山上的，有祸了！你们是这列国中为首之大国的领袖，是以色列家所归向的。”

背景：阿摩司首先向那些因物质成功而安逸自满的精英阶层宣告“祸哉”，这些人既包括锡安（耶路撒冷）的贵族，也包括撒玛利亚（以色列首都）的权贵。他们的安逸并非源于信靠上帝，而是自以为财富权势能庇护自身。

反思：阿摩司时代的以色列人已丧失对上帝的依赖意识。他们凭己力资源筑起安逸生活，将安全感寄托于物质繁荣而非耶和华。他们在信仰中沉溺自满，不再寻求上帝，也不再彰显祂在世间的公义与正直。

(2) 心灵的警醒呼召（阿摩司书6:4-6）

4-6节：“你们卧在象牙床上，躺在榻上；你们吃羊群中的羊羔，和牛棚里的牛犊。5 你们闲逸地弹琴奏乐，又为自己制造乐器，像大卫一样。 6 你们用大碗喝酒，用最贵重的膏油抹身；但你们并没有为约瑟的败落而痛心。”

背景：阿摩司揭露以色列权贵阶层的奢靡生活。他们沉溺于享乐与放纵，对百姓的属灵境况和周遭的破碎全然漠视。

反思：尽管拥有财富与安逸，以色列的领袖们却对同胞的苦难漠不关心。他们对国土上的道德与社会败坏毫无痛心之情，全然沉溺于享乐与安逸，对公义与怜悯的呼唤置若罔闻。

(3) 自满的后果：审判（阿摩司书6:7-14）

第7-14节：“因此，你们将是最先被掳去的人，宴乐享受的日子必要消逝。”

背景：因百姓漠视神的公义，沉溺享乐生活，忽视他人需求，神宣告审判。他们奢靡的生活即将被流亡与毁灭取代。他们已丧失道德准则，必为选择承担后果。

反思：百姓的骄傲与狂妄（显露于物质丰盛与自满自足）终将招致覆灭。上帝不看重他们的仪式或财富，祂要他们行公义、好怜悯、存谦卑的心。

结论：阿摩司书第六章有力地提醒我们审视内心与生活，它挑战我们自问：

(1) 我们是否安于现状、自满自足，依赖财富、安全或地位？

(2) 在追求自我享乐时，是否忽视了他人需求？

(3) 我们是否愿意悔改、追求公义，活出彰显神公义的生命？

(4) 神呼召我们不该安于属灵舒适区，而要积极追求公义、怜悯并顺服祂。愿我们谨记阿摩司的警醒，追求敬畏神、关怀他人、凡事寻求祂公义的生命。

祷告：

主啊，我们承认常在祢以外的事物中寻求安逸与保障。求祢赦免我们对他人需求漠不关心的态度。求祢唤醒我们心中对周遭破碎处境的怜悯，赐我们力量活出祢的公义与怜悯。求祢帮助我们谦卑而活，遵行祢的旨意，凡事寻求祢的荣耀。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。