Israel’s Ill-Placed Confidence: In the preceding group of oracles, Amos announced that God would pass through Israel’s midst to do them to death. Undoubtedly that message met with skepticism on the part of those who bothered to listen to this prophet with a Judean accent. Like everyone who is prosperous and comfortable, most of those in Israel who counted for anything felt that they were enjoying the results of God’s favor toward them, or, if they took no thought of God, that their good life was secure. In 5:18–6:14, the prophet therefore sets about to show how ill-placed is Israel’s confidence in every area of her life. And significantly the section begins with an oracle concerning the day of the Lord, because finally it is the day of the Lord that will bring Israel’s death.

6:8–11 Some co…