Woe to those who are at ease in Zion,
and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria,
the notable men of the first of the nations,
to whom the house of Israel comes!
Pass over to Calneh, and see,
and from there go to Hamath the great;
then go down to Gath of the Philistines.
Are you better than these kingdoms?
Or is their territory greater than your territory,
O you who put far away the day of disaster
and bring near the seat of violence?
“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 midst of the stall,
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp
and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,
who drink wine in bowls
and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
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.”
Comment: The neighbouring kingdom cities of Calneh, Hamath (called the GREAT) and their old enemy Gath of Philistia had been overthrown by the marauding force about which Amos was speaking. Just because Samaria and Zion (Jerusalem) are sitting well fortified on mountains, you can’t afford to be cocky!
Instead of facing facts you are luxuriating, lying on the the most expensive modern beds, listening to the finest music, sipping champagne. Money-wise, instead of thinking of your poor, you are breeding fattened lambs and the the finest of young calf veal with which to feast yourselves and to sell at exorbitant prices! In exile you won’t get to use all your sweet-smelling fancy toiletries!
Prayer: Sometimes You whisper, sometimes You shout, help me to listen my Master.
As I read it! 