Pilgrims in a Land of Affluence

From: More Heart to Heart: Godly Wisdom Woman To Woman By: Valerie Jean Hallowell

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

“Woe to them that are at ease ... that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that chant to the sound of the viol . . . that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph ... . I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces.” Amos 6:1,4-6,8¹Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! (Amos 6:1)
⁴That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; ⁵That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David; ⁶That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (Amos 6:4‑6)
⁸The Lord God hath sworn by himself, saith the Lord the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. (Amos 6:8)

This passage in the Minor Prophets recently caught my attention. I thought to myself, “This sounds like life now in North America!” Notice the “woe.” The life of ease described in these verses is not God’s design for living. The lazy people whom He condemns ate lambs and calves instead of waiting patiently for them to develop into productive sheep and oxen and then using them for food. There was no concept of delayed gratification for them. They were more concerned with listening to beautiful music, enjoying fine dining, and splurging at a beauty spa than in truly caring for the needs of those around them. God did not admire their fancy housing that they enjoyed at the expense of others.

We may be surrounded by affluence, but let’s remember that we are pilgrims and strangers about to be called to our heavenly home. Let’s encourage ourselves and our families that the Lord wants our hearts, time, and money to be occupied with a heavenly investment which will reap great dividends for all eternity.

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