May 17, 2011 – Amos 6-7

We see the end here where Amos was preaching, in Bethel. We talked earlier about the division in the kingdom and that Bethel was a prominent place in the northern half, in Israel. When I first started reading this chapter, I thought Bethel was just another city that Amos went to. It was only after reading that other information that I realize Bethel was the New Jerusalem for the northern half of the kingdom, of Israel. The southern half, Judah, still had Jerusalem as its city that it worshipped the lord in. So you see that Amos didn't just go to any town, but the main town that had the priest and worshipers of Israel in the northern kingdom.

We also see here that Bethel is called the Kings sanctuary and the Royal Temple. I think they understand that they have chosen a place not picked by God but picked by themselves to worship. This is unlike Jerusalem which God has chosen as the city to make his own.