What the Bible says about Feasting
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Solomon is in no way saying that feasting and laughter are to be avoided, but rather he is comparing their relative value to life. Feasting does not contain an inherent power to motivate positive change in the way one is living. Instead, it motivates one to remain as he is, feeling a sense of temporary well-being. Contrariwise, sorrow—especially when pain or death is part of the picture (Psalm 90:12)—has an intrinsic power to draw a person to consider the direction of his path and institute changes that will enhance his life.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beatitudes, Part Three: MourningRelated Topics: Feasting | Laughter | Positive Change | Sorrow | Sorrow as Motivating | Sorrow, Godly
Amos 6:4-6 mentions feasting, indulging in artificial stimulation, listening to unusual music, and taking excessive and vain measures in personal hygiene. The single idea behind these illustrations is that the excesses of powerful Israelites were possible because of their oppression of the weak and poor.
By contrast, verses 9-10 show ten common Israelites huddled together in one house in fear of the war-induced plagues. People will die so rapidly that the survivors, looking out for themselves, will not take the time to bury the bodies of their own families but burn them in huge funeral pyres. These survivors will eventually recognize that God has dissociated Himself from them, and they will consider it an evil thing even to mention His name! How very bitter! And how very far from God!
The people, whether rich and indulgent or poor and deprived, were self-concerned. Throughout chapter six, Amos balances complacency and disaster, boasting and fear, showing that they result from rejecting God and idolizing self. Inevitably, God will send judgment upon Israel.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part One)Related Topics: Addictions | Artificial Stimulation | Complacency | Complacency, Moral | Creature Comforts | Drink | Epicureanism | Excess | Feasting | Food | God's Judgment | Hedonism | Hedonistic Lifestyles | Indolence | Israel's Worldliness | Luxury | Moral Complacency | Music | Oppression of Poor | Overindulgence | Self Centeredness | Self Idolization | Worldliness