Lyrics
Not on Your Team by Robert Deeble
Keeper of sheep beneath the sycamore tree
lost his taste for wine from all those northern
mistresses who never grieve
Are you sublime, like the morning?
Are you mysterious – like the stillness of the dark?
Are you complex like the forest?
I AM not as you seem,
I AM not on your team
He authored books under false pretense,
stealing tithes of younger working hands,
that helped him pitch his tent.
Feigned contrition in apology
like the patron saint of Narcissus
bending down upon one knee
I AM not as you seem,
I AM not on your team
American Flags fly with due respect
AK 47’s hang
like a pendant around her neck
The blood of children run from rivers into streams
pooling up around the statute
of all her liberties
I AM not as you seem,
I AM not on your team
Are you sublime, like the morning?
Are you mysterious – like the stillness of the dark?
Are you complex like the forest?
I AM not as you seem,
I AM not on your team
The artist: Robert Deeble
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was experiencing great prosperity. Under the leadership of Jeroboam II, their national borders expanded and the economy boomed. Religion was booming as well. The people flocked to the centers of worship, offered their sacrifices and observed their holy days. All was well, or so it seemed.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was experiencing great prosperity. Under the leadership of Jeroboam II, their national borders expanded and the economy boomed. Religion was booming as well. The people flocked to the centers of worship, offered their sacrifices and observed their holy days. All was well, or so it seemed.
It’s at this point God calls Amos out of the sheepherders to speak to Israel and warn them that he does not share their perspective that all is well. Amos begins his preaching by calling out the sins of the nations encircling Israel (1). One can imagine the gathered crowds nodding their heads and maybe even cheering as evil neighbor after evil neighbor is denounced and promised judgment for their sins. Suddenly, Amos turns his focus to the sins of Israel and promises them the same fate. The circuit of judgment around Israel was in actuality a noose closing around their neck (2).
“It cannot be, we are God’s chosen people,” we can imagine Amos’ audience thinking. Amos goes on to explain that instead of Israel’s relationship to God being a free pass, it makes their sins all the more deplorable (3). They have been awaiting the Day of the Lord, the coming day when God would bring justice, with
eager anticipation, but for them it would be a day of judgment and not deliverance (4). Judgment must begin with the house of God and their religion would not save them from his wrath.
Yes, Israel had been faithful in offering their sacrifices, observing their fasts and holy days, and taking pilgrimage to the three holy places of Israel, but their religion was in modern terms a Sunday-only religion, observable in the ritual but not in their daily lives. They exploited the poor, abused those they should have protected (5) and made their wealth through violence and oppression (6).
God even called their old taskmasters in Egypt to rise up in judgment for the slavery happening in Israel (7). They meticulously observed the Sabbath, but were watching the clock for the day to end so they could get back to their crooked business dealings (8). They arrived for worship a people unrighteous and unjust, sang their hymns about the God of change, and left unrighteous, unjust and unchanged (9). They were not
really the people of God because they did not actually know him. Their constant injustice and oppression proved it. As for their religion, it was one of make- believe, and a make-believe God cannot save you.
God had tried to get their attention by bringing partial destruction on Israel in the form of local famine, drought and war but a partial judgment didn’t seem to wake them up (10). Israel’s condition was so serious only complete judgment would do. God showed Amos a locust swarm so great it would end Israel, but he said he would not send it (11). He then showed Amos a fire so fierce the whole land would be consumed, but he said he would not send it (12). God would not destroy Israel completely; instead he would purge them of all evil. He would sift the whole nation and the wicked would fall like sand, but a righteous remnant would remain like pebbles in a sieve (13).
From that small remnant, God promised to rebuild and restore Israel (14). They would be prosperous again and all God’s promises would be fulfilled. God had chosen them as his people and had good things for them. The promises are sure because they are given by, the Lordyour God (15). Those who truly belong to the Lord will see his goodness come to pass.
