“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom To pervert the ways of judgment. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just is not good, Nor to strike princes for equity. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 17:22-28 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.17.22-28.KJV
Reordering Our Priorities
The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change?
Why?
Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God.
While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer.
Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help.
Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write ...