–Job 12:5 (NLT)
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     You cannot live in sinful violence and at the same time expect God to be at peace with you.  That’s the simple plain message of Amos 6.

          1 — Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!
          2 — Go over to Calneh and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.  Are you better than these kingdoms?  Or is their territory greater than your territory?
          3 — Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near.  (NKJV)

Amos cries “woe” to the indifferent and the arrogant.  God’s Word didn’t mean anything to the people.  They were complacent and lackadaisical in attitude carrying a false optimism.  The cities named were already under the control of the Assyrians; was Israel any better or stronger than them?  Warren Wiersbe states, “False confidence that’s based on expert advice, statistics, and material resources and that ignore the spiritual dimension of life is sure to lead to shameful defeat.”
     We see God warning about complacency in Revelation when those of Laodicea were rich and in need of nothing (3:17).  Those who are complacent “have lost everything that’s important in the spiritual life.” (Wiersbe)  Amos is warning them of being complacent and we read that complacency is something that God doesn’t like.  “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency.  Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good.  Nor will He do evil.” (Zephaniah 1:12, NKJV)  “Complacency is an insidious sin, because it’s based on lies, motivated by pride, and leads to trusting something other than God.” (Wiersbe)  Amos is warning the leaders who have clouded vision, but they continue to reject his prophecy and continue their abuses.

          4 — Who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall;
          5 — Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for themselves musical instruments like David;
          6 — Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (NKJV)

     Can’t you just see the picture that Amos is describing?  Banquets, overindulgence, the ease and affluence of the wealthy and leaders.  They party-hardy.  Lloyd Ogilvies says that “Their senses are dulled by opulence.”  They are living it up, living the high-life and enjoying every bit of it, not concerned with the common people, not worried that the Assyrians are coming, not even thinking of obedience to the Word of God.  “Leaders grasped for political power but abdicated their responsibility as leaders.” (Ogilvie)  People forgot their purpose; they lived for pleasure.
     The leaders laughed at the idea of calamity and judgment, even when the Prophet pronounced “woe” upon them.  “By their very indifference, they were bringing the day of judgment that much nearer.” (Wiersbe)  These men, and women, were decadent, basking in luxury, not caring for anything except their own gratification.  Peter Craigie tells us, “Their sense of values was totally out of perspective.”  They were people living the “good life”; plenty of drink, good food, lavish surroundings, lounging in wantonness and ignoring the warnings of Amos.  The best, only the best.
     It would do us well to note the situation, attitudes, and lifestyle of the people to whom Amos spoke.  Wiersbe points out, “When nations get pleasure-mad, it’s a sign that the end is near.”  Note Paul’s words to Timothy that are a mark of the last days.  “For men will be lovers of themselves…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2,4, NKJV)  Jesus warned, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34, NKJV)  
     Wake up!  Don’t listen to lies, don’t live in a complacent fantasy world; don’t cling to false theology.  Do not become accustomed to the darkness.  There is a “Day” coming, be ready.  Listen, Gary G. Cohen sums it, “Those that spurn God, often discover that His divine justice prevents Him from moving to help them when their calamity comes.”  This is true of a nation or an individual.

                    –Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
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Have you ever heard a symphony orchestra tuning up?  My, oh my, what a horrendous sound.  But when they come under the control of the conductor and follow his direction there breaks forth a wonderful harmony that the soul can enjoy.  The orchestra must come together under the leadership of the conductor.  This is a good illustration of the church under the headship of Jesus.  “Genuine harmony is a precious thing, like sacred oil flowing down the head and beard of the priest, emitting a sweet aroma.” (Steven Lawson)  That is what we see in Psalm 133–harmony.

          1 — Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
          2 — It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
          3 — It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forevermore.  (NKJV)

“Good and pleasant” may be phrased as “great delight.”  Harmony and unity what a sound.  Take one instrument in the orchestra out of unity and the harmony is broken and there is discord.  It is easy to distinguish.  Each instrument must be in tune and that takes time and effort, then when they are played together, they become one sound.  How so the church should also be.  One of my former pastors, Wayne Clark, used to try this to show this example.  He would have everyone begin singing, at the top of their voice, their favorite hymn.  It was a cacophony, simply put–noise.  But when he said, we will all sing such and such together the words were distinguishable, the sound favorable to the ears, all was in harmony.
     To live or dwell together “is to function in close and intimate association with others.” (Lawson)  So much of the time we are caught up in self-centered pursuits.  Either that or we are caught up in our own troubles and trials.  “In your darkest night, you may have been unaware of anyone except yourself…  You felt you were hurt too many times so you remained oblivious to the companionship of others.” (George Wood).  Now, you’re almost to your destination.  Darkness has dissipated, and you look around and notice others near you.  Some of whom gave you support in your time of need.  They’ve been climbing as well, now as the destination is near there comes the sound of unity.
     F.B. Meyer said, “Love in the Spirit is the dew which is a symbol and channel of the eternal love and blessing of God.”  The refrain from the old song sounds, “They will know we are Christians by our love…”  As the oil of the Spirit comes down into our inner being and we allow Him to take over “love and harmony spreads blessing to the entire body.” (Lawson)  When we are in unity we have fullness of life, or as John wrote, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (10:10, NKJV)  Not just the humdrum life of existence, the life of trodding along, but abundant life!
     I read a good illustration of the strength of unity.  A man gave his son a stick and told him to break it which he easily did.  Then he gave the boy two sticks which he was able to break.  He added a third stick, which was broken, but with a struggle.  Finally, enough sticks were added where the boy could not break them.  The lesson:  “unity is strength.” (Lawson)  Solomon tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up…  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (10:9-10,12, NKJV).
     Each of us has to walk our own path.  Each of us must lift one foot after another.  Each of us has special gifts and talents.  As we journey on the upward road to our destination which is heaven we have others around us to aid us.  Others who have gifts and talents that will aid us and add to our ease along the way.  “The pilgrim’s decision to leave behind the old life and call upon the Lord is an intensely personal one.  No one else can make that decision for you.  But, as you continue in your upward climb, you will be strengthened by the gifts God gives–loving, caring, and supportive fellow pilgrims.” (Wood)
     
          “Be this our common enterprise:
          That truth be preached and prayer arise,
          That each may seek the other’s good,
          And live and love as Jesus would.”
                –Frederick K. Brewster