Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Amos Chapter 5
Metaphysically Interpreting Amos 5:1-17
5:1Hear ye this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel.
5:2The virgin of Israel is fallen;
she shall no more rise:
she is cast down upon her land;
there is none to raise her up.5:3For thus saith the Lord Jehovah:
The city that went forth a thousand
shall have a hundred left,
and that which went forth a hundred
shall have ten left,
to the house of Israel.5:4For thus saith Jehovah unto the house of Israel,
Seek ye me, and ye shall live;
5:5but seek not Beth-el,
nor enter into Gilgal,
and pass not to Beer-sheba:
for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity,
and Beth-el shall come to nought.5:6Seek Jehovah, and ye shall live;
lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
and it devour, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el.
5:7Ye who turn justice to wormwood,
and cast down righteousness to the earth,5:8seek him that maketh the Pleiades and Orion,
and turneth the shadow of death into the morning,
and maketh the day dark with night;
that calleth for the waters of the sea,
and poureth them out upon the face of the earth
(Jehovah is his name);
5:9that bringeth sudden destruction upon the strong,
so that destruction cometh upon the fortress.5:10They hate him that reproveth in the gate,
and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
5:11Forasmuch therefore as ye trample upon the poor,
and take exactions from him of wheat:
ye have built houses of hewn stone,
but ye shall not dwell in them;
ye have planted pleasant vineyards,
but ye shall not drink the wine thereof.
5:12For I know how manifold are your transgressions,
and how mighty are your sins -
ye that afflict the just, that take a bribe,
and that turn aside the needy in the gate from their right.
5:13Therefore he that is prudent shall keep silence in such a time;
for it is an evil time.5:14Seek good, and not evil,
that ye may live;
and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as ye say.
5:15Hate the evil, and love the good,
and establish justice in the gate:
it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts,
will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.5:16Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the Lord:
Wailing shall be in all the broad ways;
and they shall say in all the streets, Alas! Alas!
and they shall call the husbandman to mourning,
and such as are skilful in lamentation to wailing.
5:17And in all vineyards shall be wailing;
for I will pass through the midst of thee,
saith Jehovah.
November 6, 1927: Amos 5:1-2
What is the office of a true prophet? A true prophet discerns that every thought brings forth a definite result. A true prophet reads the thoughts of individuals and of nations, and from these thoughts foretells future events. “Coming events cast their shadows before.”
What did Amos mean by the statement, “The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: She is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up”? “The virgin of Israel” represents the pure thought of the people in all relations of life. The statement that the virgin has fallen means that the people are not keeping up the standard of righteousness under divine law.
November 6, 1927: Amos 5:10-15
What were the greatest sins, or the greatest shortcomings, of the children of Israel, according to the prophet Amos? In verse 12 Amos states that bribery, graft, oppression, and injustice are the greatest transgressions of the people.
Did the children of Israel reap the reward of their sins, as Amos prophesied? History says that they did. As a nation they were scattered and persecuted.
Do oppression, injustice, and graft in the leaders of a nation always bring disintegration and dissipation of that nation? Yes; history reveals that no matter how great and powerful a nation may be, when its leaders give themselves over to selfishness, and to all that follows in the wake of selfishness – acquisitiveness, bribery, graft, and injustice – that nation and its civilization always come to an end.
November 13, 1932: Amos 5:11-15
[TruthUnity note: the following lesson was found with the PDF for Luke 19:16-23. This is out of place and it appears that those who clipped and assembled the Unity Bible Lessons mistakenly placed some of the Amos 5 commentary with Luke 19.]
In this lesson what special sin is Amos the prophet uncovering? Amos is uncovering the sin of injustice; “how might are your sins – ye that afflict the just, that take a bribe, and that turn aside the needy in the gate from their right.”
What remedy does he give? “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say.”
Amos says that if one loves the good and hates the evil, Jehovah will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. What is meant by the remnant of Joseph? Metaphysically, Joseph represents the faculty of imagination, which has formed many error conditions in man’s world. The remnant of imagination to which Jehovah will be gracious is that constructive power which can still persist in imaging the good.
August 12, 1934: Amos 5:1-15
What functions does conscience perform? The inner voice of conscience directs the subjective forces of mind and body, and in the conscious sphere indicates the course of conduct to be followed. It also approves or disapproves of acts already done.
Describe the symbolism of the subjective work done by conscience. Amos tending his sheep symbolizes the conscience directing the subjective forces.
Trace the thoughts and tendencies that do not readily fall into line with justice and righteousness. All unjust or wrong thoughts and tendencies spring from the sense plane and are under the dominion of the personal will.
What determines the tenor of man’s life? The bent of his mind is the determining factor in man's life. Therefore “seek good, and not evil, that ye may live. And so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say.”
How do we lose sight of evil? As we learn to love the good and to be unresponsive to evil, the latter drops from sight.
Explain the inner meaning of the gate. This figure describes the faculty that permits one thought to enter and find lodgment in mind and another to be shut out, at will. The I AM controls this process. The open mind is the mark of understanding, justice and liberality of thought.
Define true justice and uprightness. These are principles of character and conduct and, like all principles, are unchanging. These qualities are found in their perfection in those who [obey] them under adverse as well as under favorable circumstances.
April 7, 1940: Amos 5:1
What is the meaning of the name Amos, and what state of mind does it represent in man? The name Amos means “burden” or “burden bearer.” It represents the depressed state of mind that comes from allowing oneself to be weighed down by the thought of the evil that is in the world and of man's apparent lack of power to overcome it.
April 7, 1940: Amos 5:10-15
What does the “gate” represent in this lesson? It represents judgment, admitting what is right and desirable into the mind and shutting out all else.
Does conscience play any part in the fulfillment of divine law? A quickened conscience acts as a gauge of the fulfillment of the law. A man who knows that robbery is contrary to the law cannot take what belongs to another without losing its equivalent either in goods or in the inner satisfaction and joy of possession.
Why is it prudent to keep silent on the subject of evil? Because evil grows rather than diminishes by being held in mind even with a feeling of abhorrence. To refrain from thinking of evil is the “silence” kept by the student of Truth.
What is the law of life? To seek the good is the way to live satisfyingly and happily.
Are religious observances of any real benefit to man in his ongoing? Only when they are accompanied by individual and social behavior that is in harmony with justice and righteousness. Divorced from these, the observance of religious customs is without meaning to man.
When does music express the inner harmony of life? When it expresses the harmony that man has realized in his relations with his fellows and in himself as an individual. Unless it does this music is not rightly harmony but mere “noise.”
What is the song that is audible to Spirit? The mighty flood of justice carrying before it all oppression and wrong, and the majestic sweep of right when realized and consciously expressed form the music that is heard by the Spirit of God.
May 18, 1947: Amos 5:6-15
What represents the law in the consciousness of the individual? Conscience. Symbolized in this lesson by the prophet Amos, conscience is the inner voice that directs the natural forces of the body and points out the right course of conduct, approving or disapproving what we do.
What does conscience arouse in us? Thoughts and desires that lead us to try to do what is just and right.
Are the thoughts and desires that spring from sense consciousness easily distinguished from those which have their rise in conscience? They are; for the former are not readily brought into line with justice or righteousness, while the latter are in complete harmony with both.
April 30, 1950: Amos 5:4-9
How do we find true satisfaction in life? By seeking the good and devoting ourselves to expressing it as we find it. “Seek Jehovah, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph.”
What is meant by “fire breaking out in the house of Joseph”? Joseph represents the imagination, which can be fired with the negative thought habits of the natural man, until it becomes a destructive force in consciousness and even in subconsciousness. Constructive use of the imaging power is essential to a well-ordered life.
Cannot the imagination be disciplined? Yes, by the wisdom and power of the Christ. Those who lack understanding of how to discipline the imagination are at the mercy of the undisciplined imagination and suffer in their body the effects of this lack. “Lest ... there be none to quench it in Beth-el {the body}.”
How can we realize justice and righteousness? By seeking the infinite good. “Ye who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth, seek him that maketh the Pleiades and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night.”
April 30, 1950: Amos 5:14-15
What formula promotes long life? “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say.” It is not easy to substitute constructive thinking for negative thinking, but with patience and perseverance it can be done.
Metaphysically Interpreting Amos 5:18-27
5:18Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah!
Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah?
It is darkness, and not light.
5:19As if a man did flee from a lion,
and a bear met him;
or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
5:20Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light?
even very dark, and no brightness in it?5:21I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
5:22Yea, though ye offer me your burnt-offerings and meal-offerings,
I will not accept them;
neither will I regard
the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.
5:23Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs;
for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
5:24But let justice roll down as waters,
and righteousness as a mighty stream.5:25Did ye bring unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 5:26Yea, ye have borne the tabernacle of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. 5:27Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith Jehovah, whose name is the God of hosts.
November 6, 1927: Amos 5:21-24
Are present-day prophets, who study the thoughts of the people, safe guides as to the future of the nations of the earth? Yes. The trend of thought in an individual or in a nation is a safe indicator as to future events. Many prophets and philosophers of the present day tell us that we must cease our almost universal worship of money; we must worship a higher power; if we do not, our civilization will disintegrate and will be followed by a civilization that will be based upon truth and righteousness.
What are the foundation principles upon which the new civilization will be based? These foundation principles are love, justice, unselfishness, and universal recognition of every individual's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Who will be the head of the new civilization, the united states of the World? Jesus Christ is to be the ruler of the new race consciousness, not in person, but in principle. The application of the rules of life that He taught will restore peace and harmony and perpetuate righteousness throughout the world.
August 12, 1934: Amos 5:21-24
In what way may conscience be a safe guide at all times? By taking the Christ mind as the standard of thought and conduct, and seeking to express it consistently, we redeem conscience from passion, prejudice and other mistaken impulses, so that it becomes a safe guide.
April 7, 1940: Amos 5:21-24
What state of mind does the overcomer have? He who overcomes his limitations and solves his problems does so by putting evil resolutely out of his thoughts and devoting himself to the good only.
October 25, 1942: Amos 5:21-24
In the context of this lesson what do “feasts” represent? They represent self-indulgence in all its forms, the expression of the sense will.
What is the “I” that hates and despises such feasts? It is the “I AM,” our true self. The right-minded person does not entertain the thought of self-indulgence, nor does he yield to it.
From the standpoint of Truth and reality where do formal religious observances rank? With self-indulgence, because they are lacking in love of what is right, good, and true. They are outside the range of Divine Mind.
How can “justice roll down as waters”? When it has behind it the power of men's conviction and zeal, when it is universally recognized as the fundamental condition and goal of brotherhood. Before this recognition can become universal it must be present in each individual.
In the present state of the world can righteousness roll down “as a mighty stream”? No, but it can and will when men everywhere have a passion to be right and to do right. Such an ardent desire will generate power that will bring right into expression in the world with the force of a mighty stream.
May 18, 1947: Amos 5:21-24
In the context of this lesson what is represented by “feasts”? They represent self-indulgence in all its forms; the expression of the sense will.
What is the “I” that hates and despises such feasts? The I AM, our true self. The right-minded person does not entertain the thought of self-indulgence, nor does he yield to it.
From the standpoint of Truth and reality where do formal religious observances rank? With self-indulgence; for they do not express original or intuitive Truth and are outside the range of Divine Mind.
How can “justice roll down as waters”? When it has behind it the power of men's conviction and zeal, when it is universally recognized as the fundamental condition and goal of brotherhood. This recognition must be present in each person before it can become universal.
In the present state of the world can righteousness “roll down ... as a mighty stream”? No, but it can and will when men everywhere have a passion to be right and to do right. Such an ardent desire generates power that brings into expression in the world with the force of a mighty, rushing stream which cannot be held back.
What is the righteousness that exalts a nation? Integrity of character recognized by its citizens as the standard of national conduct. The will to do right, added to understanding of what is right, insures realization.
November 14, 1948: Amos 5:21-24
What kind of religious worship is of greatest value to a person? The kind that inspires him to live well and faithfully, obeying the divine law and expressing the truth and goodness of Spirit.
Are religious customs that conform to tradition of real value? Only when they develop active faith in the good in the persons observing the customs. To be of value religious customs must lead to the growth and development of a person's spiritual life.
What gives a religious rite its significance? The spirit of reverence and sincerity in which it is performed. Unless this spirit is present the rite has no special significance.
Is song a desirable way of worshiping God? Joy and thankfulness of heart as well as other uplifting emotions are easily expressed in song, making it a desirable way of worshiping God.
How can justice and righteousness be made part of the consciousness of an entire people? By devoted individuals expressing these qualities in their daily life and by their example inspiring others to do the same. Devoted individuals who have qualities of leadership should give their time to public service. When a sufficient number of individuals act from just and right motives this course of action will become “the thing to do,” and justice and righteousness will be part of the consciousness of all people.
How can “justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream”? When passion for justice takes hold of all people and is expressed by them nothing can hold back the rush of power generated by their collective conviction and its expression. The same is true of the passion for righteousness. Nothing can deflect it once it is aroused to its total strength in the hearts and souls of mankind.
April 30, 1950: Amos 5:21-24
Is the observance of rites and ceremonies of any value in expressing what is right, just, and good? Yes, but only to the extent that the person observing them perceives and understands that they are outward symbols of spiritual truths.
What helps a person to build up God-likeness? The habit of expressing justice and righteousness at all times in thought, word, and act. “Let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-15-2013
