Amos Chapter 8

Scripture Reading:  Read Amos Chapter 8. 

Selling the Leftovers:

Amos 8:6 – “And you mix the grain you sell with chaff swept from the floor.  Then you enslave poor people for one piece of silver or a pair of sandals.”  (NLT)

I am the worst at eating leftovers. My wife always gives me a hard time about how bad I am about never eating them very well. Often, when we have leftover food from a meal, we’ll put those leftovers in a container, and the next time I’ll touch it is when I throw away the moldy food in a few weeks. There are a few exceptions to this truth, but for the most part, leftovers simply are not as good as a fresh meal.   

Imagine if a restaurant took their moldy leftovers, ground them up, baked them into a meatloaf, proceeding to sell the meatloaf as if it were fresh food.  Beyond a myriad of health code violations, they’re cheating their customers.  This behavior reflects a dishonest character, likely leading to a failing business. 

The prophet Amos is calling out Israel's wicked, deceitful practices yet again.  This time, they’re sweeping chaff from the floor but selling it as if it were grain.  Their lying and dishonest business practices and treatment of the poor reflect their wicked hearts.  The message we find here in chapter eight is one of judgment: God will destroy Israel for their unrelenting wickedness. 

Let us turn from our wickedness and deceit, turning to God in faithful obedience. 

Reflection:  Take a moment to pray, adopting this prayer of King David from Psalm 139:23-24 -

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)