Amos 5:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It either indicates that they expelled those who encouraged them towards righteousness and boldly guided them, or it suggests that they maliciously adjudicated the legal concerns of the poor in a blatantly wrongful manner, doing so openly and with no shame, disregarding the divine commands. They descended into depths of wickedness and deceit to such an extent that even the wise and discerning refrained from correcting those ensnared in evil, perceiving that those rebuked were akin to the hard of hearing, who, like dogs, turned against those wishing to assist them, deeming their best benefactors as foes. They condemned the holy prophets and subjected them to hardship whenever they presented divine revelations to the people. For instance, Zedekiah imprisoned the prophet Jeremiah, who communicated God's will, and then cast him into a cistern, hoping he would drown in the mire. Hence, it is vital to seek repentance even for minor sins and to avoid provoking God by compounding them with greater transgressions, for should the sins become numerous and severe, He will undoubtedly respond with righteous indignation. We refer to significant and intolerable sins as serious because, as stated by the wise John, not every sin leads to death (1 John 5:17).

You have also established beautiful vineyards, anticipating future feasts, yet you shall not partake of the wine, for I recognize all your wrongdoings and grievous sins that have incurred My wrath.

You are antagonistic toward justice, accepting bribes, and dominating the downtrodden in judgment. Consequently, the virtuous and poor may observe the corrupted court and hold their tongues, aware of the fruitlessness of naming sins when destruction looms and enemies encircle their cities. This mode of understanding can be extended to heretics who rob and strike down the weak, as conveyed by the term κατεκονδύλιζον, depicting their merciless assault. Heretics aim their attacks at the faithful, wielding their influence against the heart and undermining genuine belief. The poor, in this context, refer to those who, satisfied with simple faith, can counter the deceptions of heretics. Should they fail to stand firm against their adversaries, they risk losing the good deeds intended for the Lord.

These adversaries skillfully craft their rhetoric, creating a façade of safety and tranquility, yet ultimately will not dwell in comfort, as they will be brought low by the Church. They do not merely build structures; they also cultivate enticing vineyards that serve as a false reflection of Christ's teachings, but they will only taste the bitter wine of their own folly. The Almighty waited for these vineyards to bear good fruit, yet they yielded only thorns and sour berries, and falsehoods raised as blasphemies against their God. They will not inhabit their homes nor drink of their vineyards, for the Lord discerns their multitude of iniquities.

This understanding of divine knowledge does not imply mere recognition of His followers but highlights the lack of concealment before God, as He knows all sinners’ secrets. "I know," He declares, "your manifold inequities," which are both numerous and severe, comprising oppression and a disregard for truth. Instead of presenting their offenses genuinely, they offer substitutes, as noted by the translation of ἐξιλασμσ as “gifts.” Such gifts can alter the harsh declarations of Scripture, transforming proclamations of judgment into promises of prosperity while treating the affluent with leniency and the needy with contempt.

Hence, when an observant member of the Church witnesses the extensive wickedness within the house called God's—a wickedness that is not only many but also dangerously oppressive to justice—and perceives the frenzy of teachers grasping bribes and neglecting the poor, they should maintain their silence. This caution prevents them from casting the sacred before those unworthy, akin to casting pearls before swine, who might trample them (Matt. 7:6). Instead, they may wish to embody the spirit of the prophet Jeremiah, expressing sorrow amidst the tribulation of their community (Jer. 15:17), and echoing the sentiments found in the Psalms, symbolizing a solitary pursuit until departure (Psalm 140:10).