Beds of Ivory and Couches Amos 6:4

As Amos the prophet continued to share about those who were “at ease in Zion” or Israel, he told them to consider the kingdoms and borders Babylonian and Philistine cities as to whether they were “better” than theirs. The LORD through Amos told them they “put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near”, and in chapter six and verse four of his prophesy, Amos shared how they “lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches” where we read:

That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches,

and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

The verse begins, “That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches,...” Amos began with the words, “That lie” which means “lie down, lodge, rest and relax” “upon beds” or “couches and biers” “of ivory” which refers to “beds made with the tooth, tine or sharp crags of animals ”, “and stretch” or “go unrestrained, overrun, exceeding, overhang and growing luxuriously” “themselves upon their couches” or “the people of Israel lying on their divans, beds and lounging seats with canopies”. Amos referred to the people who were living comfortably and luxuriously in Israel as they lie upon “ivory beds” and sat upon cosy “lounging seats”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;” Amos continued, “and eat” or “devour, burn up and consume” “the lambs” which means “the howdah, palanquin and basket saddle” “out of the flock” or “group of small cattle, sheep, goats or lambs”, “and the calves” which refers to “the bull-calf especially one nearly grown such as a bullock or steer” “out of the midst” or “from the middle of, among and between” “of the stall” which means “the stable for the cattle”. While they “lounged” in luxury, they deliciously dined on “lamb” and “young calves”.

When we think through these words of Amos, we realize how oblivious the people of Israel were to God's pending judgment. Rather than align themselves with Almighty God and His ways, they lived in “luxury” and ate “delicious” meats instead. They lounged upon beds made with “ivory” and sat upon ornate “couches” as though no trouble at all was coming their way. Jesus speaking about the end times said, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:38-39) Jesus' return could be imminent, and should it be, would he find us “lounging and eating in luxury” rather than being about His Heavenly eternal business?

Next time we see Amos writes about “the sound of the viol” and “musical instruments”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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