…
Since we ended the one-chapter long book of Obadiah yesterday, here’s the book of Amos(, 9 chapters) :
It begins by saying that they’ll destroy Syria and also Philistia, as well as Ahkelon, and Phoenicia, and Ammon, and Moab, and Judah, and Israel, each time with the list of sins they committed. It’s awesome to end with yourself and your own sins, i forgot that ‘something like that’/‘such enumeration’ existed in the Bible.
It also points at the sins of Samaria in the third chapter and in the first verses of the fourth chapter : Amos 4:1 :
You women of Samaria are fat cows ! You mistreat and abuse the poor and needy, then you say to your husbands, “Bring us more drinks !”
(It’s commonly conceived that fitness is a modern attribute of beauty, while fatness was considered beautiful in the past, apparently not everywhere, and some women did ordered their husbands around, some things never change, despite them having indeed less rights&power. It may have also been a reference to the worship of the golden calf instead of God.)
« And you will live » : Amos 5:4-6 :
The Lord keeps saying, “Israel, turn back to me and you will live !
Don’t go to Gilgal or Bethel or even to Beersheba.
Gilgal will be dragged away, and Bethel will end up as nothing.”
Turn back to the Lord, you descendants of Joseph, and you will live.
If you don’t, the Lord will attack like fire. Bethel will burn to the ground, and no one can save it.
You people are doomed ! You twist the truth and trample on justice.
But the Lord created the stars and put them in place.
And Amos 5:10-15 :
You people hate judges and honest witnesses ; you abuse the poor and demand heavy taxes from them.
You have built expensive homes, but you won’t enjoy them ; you have planted vineyards, but you will get no wine.
I am the Lord, and I know your terrible sins.
You cheat honest people and take bribes ; you rob the poor of justice.
Times are so evil that anyone with good sense will keep quiet.
If you really want to live, you must stop doing wrong and start doing right.
I, the Lord God All-Powerful, will then be on your side, just as you claim I am.
Choose good instead of evil ! See that justice is done.
Maybe I, the Lord All-Powerful, will be kind to what’s left of your people.
John 8:12-19 :
Once again Jesus spoke to the people.
This time he said, “I am the light for the world ! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”
The Pharisees objected, “You are the only one speaking for yourself, and what you say isn’t true !”
Jesus replied : Even if I do speak for myself, what I say is true ! I know where I came from and where I am going. But you don’t know where I am from or where I am going.
You judge in the same way that everyone else does, but I don’t judge anyone. If I did judge, I would judge fairly, because I would not be doing it alone. The Father who sent me is here with me.
Your Law requires two witnesses to prove that something is true. I am one of my witnesses, and the Father who sent me is the other one.
“Where is your Father ?” they asked.
“You don’t know me or my Father !” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would know my Father.”
[The previous gospels had a Jesus less sure of himself i think, in my opinion when you know the (ultimate )Truth on a subject then you know the opinion of the Father on that subject(, but it’s hard to be certain of anything). He knows where he came from, but don’t we all come from Eve&Adam, who come from Gaïa, who comes from God ultimately ? And aren’t we all ultimately going to the End ? And is judging fairly by taking the Father as your witness some form of thinking by yourself ? Furthermore it’s also interesting to count yourself as one of your witnesses if it implies that you never lie.
If you don’t know my/our/Our Father, then you may still know Jesus(, or me if i claim to be close to God/Truth/Perfection/…), but if you don’t know Jesus-Christ(, and agree with his message, as new as it may appear to be at first sight), then it’s fair to assume that you don’t know God, merely books inspired by H…er.is Light. I suppose.]
Surah Al-Baqarah(, “The Cow”) 2:204-210 :
And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you( O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), in this worldly life, and he calls God to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents. [2]
[Narrated ‘Âishah رضي الله عنها :
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The most hated person to God is the one who is most quarrelsome of the opponents.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.3, Hadîth No.637).]
[Narrated Abu Umamah رضي الله عنه :
God’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said :
“(a) I guarantee a home in Paradise for a person who gives up arguments and disputes even if he is on the truth.
(b) And( I also guarantee) a home in the middle of Paradise for a person who gives up lying even while joking.
© And( I also guarantee) a home in the highest part of Paradise for a person who has a high standard of character.”
(This Hadith is quoted by Abu Dâwûd, At-Tirmidhi, Nasâ’i and Ibn Majah).]
And when he turns away( from you, "O Muhammad “صلى الله عليه وسلم”), his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and God likes not mischief.
And when it is said to him, “Fear God”, he is led by arrogance to (more )crime. So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest !
And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the Pleasure of God. And God is full of Kindness to (His )slaves.
O you who believe ! Enter perfectly in Islâm(, by obeying all the rules/regulations of the Islâmic religion,) and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily ! He is to you a plain enemy.
Then if you slide back after the clear signs(, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and this Qur’ân, and Islâm,) have come to you, then know that God is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Do they then wait for anything other than that God should come to them in the shadows of the clouds and the angels ? (Then )the case would be already judged. And to God return all matters( for decision).
[«If you knew me, you would know my Father.»(, and what is good for you/us)(, no ?)]
Three more verses for today : 2:213-215 :
Mankind were one community and God sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent down the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. And only those to whom (the Scripture )was given differed concerning it after clear proofs had come unto them through hatred, one to another.
Then God by His Leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. And God guides whom He wills to the Straight Path.
Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you ?
They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When( will come) the help of God ?” Yes ! Certainly, the help of God is near !
They ask you(, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم,) what they should spend.
Say : Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and the poors and the wayfarer, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, God knows it well.
Saint of the day : St. Leonard, Hermit : Leonard was born in Limoges, France, at the beginning of the 6th century. He joined with the Archbishop of Rheims in order to free captives taken prisoner in wars. He lived as a hermit, and built a monastery which is still a stop on the Cammino of Santiago.