Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, the "ruin of Joseph" as mentioned in this verse is a reference to the depths of sin (specifically, complacency, pride, and corruption) to which the leaders of the northern ten tribes of Israel -- the tribes that had broken away from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin following the death of Solomon, as described in 1 Kings 12 -- had sunk, as the rest of Amos' prophecy discusses.

Joseph is used as a metaphor for all of the northern ten tribes, since he is portrayed in Genesis 50:15-20 as having been righteous in forgiving his brothers (the patriarchs of the other tribes) for having sold him into slavery in Egypt, where God had eventually prospered him, and had made him the means by which Israel was saved from famine, and was allowed to grow into a great nation.

The intent is to contrast Joseph's righteousness with the current sin of the northern tribes, which eventually resulted in God allowing them to be conquered and dispersed by the Assyrians, turning them into the "lost" tribes of Israel.

September 24 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the "ruin of Joseph" mentioned in Amos 6? 

Amos 6:6-8 ESV:

6 "...that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore shall they now go captive with the first that go captive; and the revelry of them that stretched themselves shall pass away. 8 The Lord Jehovah hath sworn by himself, saith Jehovah, the God of hosts: I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces; therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein."

In Amos 6:6, the "ruin of Joseph" refers to the impending national, moral, and spiritual destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amos condemns wealthy leaders who live in excessive luxury and ignore the suffering and imminent downfall of their nation, which Joseph, the ancestor of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, poetically represents. 

Symbolism of "Joseph": "Joseph" is used as a collective name for the entire Northern Kingdom (Israel). It highlights the deep internal corruption and social decay that had taken root.

The Context of Indifference: The verse contrasts luxurious lifestyles—drinking wine by the bowlful, using expensive oils, and reclining on ivory beds—with a lack of grief or concern for the nation's imminent ruin.

Impending Judgment: The ruin refers to the approaching Assyrian conquest and the subsequent exile, which would destroy the nation's spiritual, economic, and social structure.

Core Message: The "ruin" is not just military, but also the moral failure to care about the injustice, exploitation of people experiencing poverty, and spiritual sickness breaking apart the nation. 

Looking beyond the nation's economic prosperity, God saw that Joseph—Israel—was in a catastrophic spiritual situation. Yet, the people went about their daily affairs unconcerned. 

They may acknowledge that we are living in difficult times, but as long as they are not personally affected, they care little about others' plight and show no interest in spiritual matters.

What displeased God was the wrong desires of the people, their wicked heart condition, their irreverent attitude toward God, and their lack of love for fellow Israelites.

Bad things were taking place in the land, but the Israelites were totally indifferent to them. (Amos 3:13-15; 4:4; 6:4-6) 

Despite the outward success, the society was marked by significant social injustice, idolatry, and neglect of the covenantal responsibilities towards God and fellow Israelites. 

The "Ruin of Joseph" symbolises the impending judgment and destruction that would come upon Israel due to their unfaithfulness and disregard for the plight of the poor and oppressed.

The prophets referred to the whole rebellious northern kingdom and to Joseph (Ephraim), just as all the tribes united in the southern kingdom were called Judah. And Joseph was now once more separated from his brethren. That is the affliction of Joseph that the prophet Amos was referring to in Amos 6:1-6.

Amos laments that because of their opulent and comfortable lives, they "are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph" (verse 6).

The "ruin of Joseph" may refer to the corruption of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

What is the lesson of Amos 6?

Amos 6:4–6 encourages us to grieve over sin.

Amos 6:4–6 warns us of being comfortable with sin. The picture here is they're ignoring the state of God's people in their sin and their idolatry and their immorality. Instead of grieving over the sin, idolatry, and immorality in their midst, they are just sitting comfortably in it.

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report