“These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man shall kiss his lips That giveth a right answer. Prepare thy work without, And make it fit for thyself in the field; And afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”
Proverbs 24:23-29 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.24.23-29.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 ...