“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan!” When speaking to the women of their church, most pastors might choose a different approach, but Amos no doubt captured their attention! Bashan was a fertile region, celebrated for its rich pasture lands. So “cows of Bashan” were proverbial for being well-fed, fat, and lazy. Evidently the prophet was not trying to win a popularity contest! But Amos was a farmer, and while he had never been to seminary, he had spent plenty of time with livestock. The point of his metaphor was hard to miss: the wealthy women of Israel were self-indulgent, spoiled, and morally corrupt. They used their social privilege to “oppress the poor” and “crush the needy.” Preoccupied with their own pleasures, they liked to be served, but not to serve. In relating to their husbands, they mainly gave orders. And one order was especially common: “bring us another drink!” (v 1). So the Sovereign Lord had determined that these pampered women would be dragged away with hooks in their noses. Humiliated and degraded, their luxurious lifestyles would soon give way to painful chains of captivity (v 2-3). Amos 4 continues a theme from the previous chapter. God had said that the warnings of the prophets are linked with real dangers, and that disasters are sent to awaken people from their lethargy, that they might turn from their sin and seek Him (3:6-8). The LORD specifically expressed His displeasure with social oppression, self-indulgence, and corrupt religion (3:9-15). Having enlarged upon the first two of these sins (4:1-3), corrupt religion is treated now at greater length, and with more prophetic sarcasm. “Come to Bethel, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression.” These towns had long been associated with God’s presence, places where He could be met. In Amos’ day, these religious shrines were marked only by proud enthusiasm, with no genuine contrition or brokenness over sin. People going to church there would not find forgiveness; they would only increase their guilt! (v 4-5). Periodically, the LORD imposed various judgments, all intended as warnings of a much greater judgment to come. These warnings proved to be ineffective, for despite the famine, drought, crop blight, disease, and war, the people did not return to God (v 6-11). But the God of Israel will meet them! We can only avoid Him for so long, for eventually we too will stand before our Maker. He is “the LORD, the God of hosts,” who shaped the mountains, stirs the wind, reveals His mind, and turns light into darkness. Are you prepared to meet Him? (v 12-13). For further meditation: