In chapter 4, the prophet begins with a colorful insult. He calls his audience "cows" (or "fat cows" in the New Living Translation.) The Israelites are like spoiled animals, fat and sassy cattle. Amos includes women when he refers to them commanding their husbands to bring them more drinks. Meanwhile, they oppress the poor and crush the needy (vs. 1). Amos tells them what's coming: An exile from their land where the population will be led out by fishhooks (vs. 2).
What can the people do to change God's mind? Amos suggests that they believe vain acts of worship are what God desires, when really such empty practices are completely ineffective. Even though they bring sacrifices every morning, tithe every three days, and stack up thanksgiving and freewill offerings, God is more concerned with what is in their hearts than what is in their hands.
God has tried to correct the people through inflicting hard times upon them, but nothing has worked. According to Amos, the Lord has:
- Sent lack of food and hunger (vs. 6).
- Sent drought (vs. 7).
- Sent blight and locusts (vs. 9).
- Sent pestilence and warfare (vs. 10).
- Sent fire and destruction (vs. 11).
Yet none of this has worked in waking the people up. None of it has succeeded in bringing the Israelites back to God.
The prophet renders the only verdict remaining: "Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!" (vs. 12)
The nation is out of chances; God's judgment is coming. Amos' warning can only be, "Get ready!"
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