asking, "When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain?The New Moon was a significant time in the Hebrew calendar, marking the beginning of a new month and often associated with religious observance and rest ( Numbers 28:11-15). The question reflects a disregard for these sacred times, showing a focus on commerce over worship. This attitude is condemned as it reveals a heart more interested in profit than in honoring God. The impatience to resume business highlights a spiritual decline, where economic gain is prioritized over spiritual duties. When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat?
The Sabbath was instituted by God as a day of rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11). The eagerness to end the Sabbath to resume trading indicates a violation of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. This reflects a broader societal issue where economic activities overshadow spiritual obligations. The Sabbath was meant to be a time of reflection and rest, but here it is seen as an obstacle to financial gain, showing a lack of reverence for God's laws. Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel;
The ephah was a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to about 22 liters. Reducing the ephah refers to giving less product than what was paid for, a form of cheating. Increasing the shekel, a unit of currency, implies charging more than what is fair. This practice of dishonest trade is condemned throughout Scripture (Leviticus 19:35-36; Proverbs 11:1). It reflects a moral corruption and exploitation of others for personal gain, contrary to the justice and righteousness God demands. let us cheat with dishonest scales.
Dishonest scales were a common metaphor for deceit and injustice in trade (Proverbs 20:23; Micah 6:11). Accurate scales were essential for fair commerce, and their manipulation was a serious offense against God's standards of honesty and integrity. This phrase underscores the systemic corruption and moral decay present in society, where even basic transactions are tainted by greed. It serves as a warning against the pursuit of wealth at the expense of righteousness and justice, themes echoed by Jesus in His teachings on honesty and integrity (Matthew 23:23). Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver a message of judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focus on social justice and the need for true worship. 2. IsraelThe northern kingdom, which during Amos's time was experiencing economic prosperity but also moral and spiritual decay. The people were neglecting God's laws and exploiting the poor. 3. New Moon and SabbathThese were sacred times in Israel's religious calendar. The New Moon marked the beginning of the month, and the Sabbath was a weekly day of rest. Both were intended for worship and rest, not commerce. 4. Dishonest ScalesA metaphor for economic injustice. Merchants were using deceitful practices to exploit buyers, which was against God's laws for fair trade. 5. Ephah and ShekelUnits of measurement for grain and money, respectively. Reducing the ephah and enlarging the shekel refers to manipulating measurements to cheat customers. Teaching Points The Importance of True WorshipWorship is not just about rituals but about aligning our lives with God's values, including justice and honesty. Economic IntegrityGod cares about how we conduct our business. We are called to be honest and fair in all our dealings. Social JusticeThe exploitation of the poor and vulnerable is a serious offense to God. We must advocate for and practice justice in our communities. Sabbath Rest and PrioritiesThe Sabbath is a gift for rest and reflection, not an opportunity for profit. We should prioritize spiritual growth over material gain. Repentance and ChangeRecognizing our own tendencies toward greed or dishonesty is the first step toward repentance and transformation. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the attitude of the merchants in Amos 8:5 reflect a misunderstanding of the purpose of the New Moon and Sabbath? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our business practices align with biblical principles of honesty and fairness? 3. How can we apply the principles of social justice found in Amos to our modern context? 4. What are some practical ways to honor the Sabbath in today's fast-paced world? 5. How can we guard against the temptation to prioritize material gain over spiritual growth and integrity? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 19:35-36This passage commands fair measurements and honest scales, highlighting God's desire for justice and integrity in commerce. Isaiah 1:13-17Isaiah condemns empty religious rituals and calls for justice and righteousness, similar to Amos's message. Micah 6:10-12Micah also speaks against dishonest scales and deceitful practices, emphasizing God's disdain for economic exploitation. People Amos, Dan, Ephah, JacobPlaces Bethel, Egypt, Nile RiverTopics Balances, Bigger, Boosting, Bushel, Cheat, Cheating, Corn, Deal, Dealing, Deceit, Deceitfully, Dishonest, Ended, Ephah, Falsely, Falsifying, Fields, Forth, Grain, Ground, Large, Making, Market, Measure, Moon, Offer, Open, Pass, Perversely, Price, Produce, Pure, Sabbath, Sale, Saying, Scales, Sell, Shekel, Skimping, Smaller, Trade, Trading, WheatDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 8:5 4951 month
5253 cheating
5318 fraud
5402 market
5555 stealing
5818 contempt
7398 New Moon festival
7429 Sabbath, in OT
8711 covenant breakers
8715 dishonesty, and God Amos 8:4-6 4542 wheat
5407 merchants
5587 trade Amos 8:4-7 5350 injustice, hated by God
5870 greed, condemnation Amos 8:4-8 5512 scales and balances
8716 dishonesty, examples Amos 8:4-10 5541 society, negative Amos 8:4-14 8807 profanity Amos 8:5-6 4363 silver
5242 buying and selling
6134 coveting, prohibition Library Ripe for Gathering
'Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. 2. And He said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon My people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. 3. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. 4. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
HE that seriously considers the Constitution of the Christian Religion, observing the Excellency of its Doctrines, the Clearness of its Precepts, the Severity of its Threatnings, together with the Faithfulness of its Promises, and the Certainty of its Principles to trust to; such a one may justly be astonished, and admire what should be the reason that they who profess this not only the most excellent, but only true Religion in the World, should notwithstanding be generally as wicked, debauched and …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
(at Nain in Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 11-17. ^c 11 And it came to pass soon afterwards [many ancient authorities read on the next day], that he went into a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. [We find that Jesus had been thronged with multitudes pretty continuously since the choosing of his twelve apostles. Nain lies on the northern slope of the mountain, which the Crusaders called Little Hermon, between twenty and twenty-five miles south of Capernaum, and about …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
Who has not wondered, as they read of the Savior's and the apostles' warnings of "false teachers," grievous wolves, delusive powers, and deceptive lights, what it all could mean? These things certainly are not without meaning. Jesus says, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day A Serious Persuasive to Such a Method of Spending Our Days as is Represented in the Former Chapter.
1, 2. Christians fix their views too low, and indulge too indolent a disposition, which makes it more necessary to urge such a life as that under consideration.--3. It is therefore enforced, from its being apparently reasonable, considering ourselves as the creatures of God, and as redeemed by the blond of Christ.--4. From its evident tendency to conduce to our comfort in life.--5. From the influence it will have to promote our usefulness to others.--6. From its efficacy to make afflictions lighter.--7. …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Evening Light
This chapter is an article written by the author many years after she had received light on the unity of the church. It will acquaint the reader with what is meant by the expression "evening light." "At evening time it shall be light." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:6,7). The expression …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Concerning Christian Liberty
CHRISTIAN faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do, because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation. While he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Concerning Christian Liberty
Christian faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation; while he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—Concerning Christian Liberty The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture.
1. Some imagine that God elects or reprobates according to a foreknowledge of merit. Others make it a charge against God that he elects some and passes by others. Both refuted, 1. By invincible arguments; 2. By the testimony of Augustine. 2. Who are elected, when, in whom, to what, for what reason. 3. The reason is the good pleasure of God, which so reigns in election that no works, either past or future, are taken into consideration. This proved by notable declarations of one Savior and passages …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the Enjoyments of the Heavenly World.
John iii. 3. John iii. 3. --Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. IN order to demonstrate the necessity of regeneration, of which I would fain convince not only your understandings, but your consciences, I am now proving to you, that without it, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of God; and how weighty a consideration that is I am afterwards to represent. That it is thus impossible, the words in the text do indeed sufficiently prove: but for the further illustration …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Links Amos 8:5 NIVAmos 8:5 NLTAmos 8:5 ESVAmos 8:5 NASBAmos 8:5 KJV
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