Amos 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. God is talking. He is a bit sad. And a little bit angry too.
God looks down at his people. They live in a big country. They have houses. They have grape gardens. They sing songs. They have parties.
But God sees something else too. He sees a man who is poor. The man has no bread. He is hungry. And the rich people take even more from him. That is not fair.
God sees a good man. The good man says, "Stop it! This is not right!" But nobody listens to him. They push him away.
God sighs. "Oh my people," he says. "Come back to me. Look for me. Then you will live!"
What Does This Mean?
God cares very much about the poor man. And about the good man. God wants his people to be kind. Not mean. He wants them to share. Not steal.
The people sing loud songs for God. They bring big presents. But God says, "Stop with your loud songs. First be kind to each other. Then I am happy."
God says a beautiful thing. He says, "Let being fair flow like a big river. A strong river. Water for everyone!"
The Common Thread
Long, long later, Someone came who was really really kind. His name is Jesus.
Jesus looked at poor people. He gave them bread. Jesus looked at sick people. He made them better. Jesus looked at sad people. He hugged them.
Jesus is like a big river of kindness. Just like God wanted. Jesus does what God asked. Every day. For everyone.
And Jesus says, "Come to me. Then you will live!" That is the same as what God said long ago.
For You
God is looking at you too. Not angry. He is looking with love.
Do you see the boy at school who has no friend? You can go and stand next to him. Do you see the girl who is crying? You can bring her a tissue.
Is your little brother hungry? You can share your cookie. Half for you. Half for him. That is a little river of kindness. From your hands.
God sees it. And God smiles. Because you do what he asked. Not with loud songs. But with your hands. And with your heart.
Talk About It
Who do you know that is a little sad or alone? What could you do for that person?
Do you think God sees when you share? What do you think God feels then?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You see everything. You see the poor man. You see me too.
Help me to be kind. Help me to share. Help me to be like Jesus.
Thank you that you love me.
Amen.
Questions about Amos 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Amos 5 about?
What does Amos 5 say?
What does Amos 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Amos 5?
Why is Amos 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Listen to this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel." Amos sings a funeral song over people still very much alive, still trading, still feasting. God saw the end coming while they saw only good business. Is there anything in your life that looks fine on the outside, but heaven is already grieving over it?
Woe to you who desire the day of Yahweh!" They sang about that day, certain God's arrival would settle scores with everyone else. Amos tells them the light will fall on them first, on the courts they rigged and the poor they stepped over. So ask honestly: when you pray "come, Lord," who do you picture being exposed?
Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time." Amos names something you already know: speaking up costs you. People hate the one who reproves at the gate. Yet two verses later he says, "Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts." Wisdom may hold its tongue for a season. It was never meant to hold it forever.
Amos 5:16 says, "Therefore Yahweh, the God of Armies, the Lord, says: 'Wailing will be in all the wide ways; and they will say in all the streets, "Alas! Alas!" and they will call the farmer to mourning, and those who are skillful in lamentation to wailing.'"
Notice who gets called: farmers pulled from their fields, professional mourners hired to help. The grief is so vast that ordinary work stops and outside help is needed. God had been pleading with Israel to seek Him and live, but they preferred injustice dressed up in religion.
Where in your life have you asked God for blessing while quietly ignoring what He keeps asking you to change?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
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