Prophetic Sarcasm and Satire --- 2019/10/30

Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 4:1-5. Amos’ satire and sarcasm are biting. He holds back no punches. Though every detail may not be easily identified, the overall clarity of Scripture remains in order to drive us to repentance and faith in Christ alone. First, Amos attacks the women of Samaria, shockingly calling them cows of Bashan. Like these well-fed, plump cattle, the women of Samaria have enjoyed the good life. Yet they have neglected to care for the poor and needy as they, by their demands for more alcohol, have only encouraged their husbands to continue to oppress these weak members of society. Their punishment fits the crime. Those who have treated others no better than animals are treated the same. They are led with fishhooks into captivity, a warning to us still today to consider the need to be stewards of what God has given in order to care for our neighbors’ physical needs. Such sins against our neighbor stem from sins against God. Amos piles on the sarcasm again, calling the people to come to their idolatrous shrines in order to transgress against God. Israel thought that their overtly religious lifestyle would make everything alright, but they were sorely mistaken. Their self-made worship they loved was not what God loved. Through Amos, He called them, and us, to repentance from any idolatrous worship and instead to find our atonement and righteousness in Christ alone.