Amos 5:14

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Seek {H1875} good {H2896}, and not evil {H7451}, that ye may live {H2421}: and so the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, shall be with you, as ye have spoken {H559}.

Seek good and not evil, so that you will survive. Then Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot will be with you, as you say he is.

Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed.

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say.

Amos 5:14 presents a powerful call to repentance and a direct challenge to the superficial religiosity prevalent in ancient Israel. The prophet Amos, speaking to the Northern Kingdom during a period of outward prosperity but deep moral decay, urges the people to fundamentally change their ways.

Context

Amos prophesied in the mid-8th century BC, a time when Israel enjoyed economic stability under King Jeroboam II. However, this affluence was accompanied by widespread social injustice, oppression of the poor, and religious hypocrisy. Despite outward religious observances, the people had strayed far from God's covenant commands. Amos's message consistently highlighted God's demand for righteousness and justice, often contrasting it with the nation's spiritual bankruptcy. This verse is part of a larger lament and call to repentance, preceding a dire warning of impending judgment.

Key Themes

  • A Call to Righteous Action: The central command, "Seek good, and not evil," is an urgent plea for a radical shift in behavior and priorities. It's not enough to avoid obvious sin; there must be an active pursuit of what is morally right and pleasing to God.
  • The Promise of Life: The phrase "that ye may live" underscores the life-giving nature of obedience. This "life" encompasses not just physical existence but spiritual vitality, well-being, and national prosperity, contrasting sharply with the death and destruction threatened by God's judgment upon unrepentant evil. This echoes the choice presented in Deuteronomy 30:19.
  • Conditional Divine Presence: "And so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you" reveals that God's active, blessing presence is conditional upon the people's righteous living. The title "the God of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes His supreme power and authority over all creation and armies, highlighting that He is indeed capable of delivering on both His promises and His threats.
  • Exposing Hypocrisy: The concluding phrase, "as ye have spoken," is a sharp indictment of Israel's hypocrisy. They likely claimed to be God's people and believed He was with them, but their actions contradicted their words. Amos exposes this disconnect, challenging them to align their conduct with their stated belief.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "seek" (darash) implies a diligent, earnest inquiry or pursuit, not a casual or passive interest. It suggests an intentional, active searching for "good" (tov), which encompasses not only moral goodness but also what is beneficial, right, and in harmony with God's will. This active pursuit of righteousness is contrasted with "evil" (ra), signifying wickedness, harm, and anything displeasing to God.

Practical Application

Amos 5:14 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges believers to move beyond mere religious profession to a genuine, active pursuit of righteousness in all areas of life. True faith is demonstrated not just by words or attendance at religious gatherings, but by how we live, treat others, and engage with justice in our communities. The promise of God's presence and blessing is tied to our obedience and our commitment to seeking what is good in His eyes. As Isaiah 55:6 similarly urges, we are called to seek the Lord while He may be found, turning from our wicked ways.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Micah 6:8

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Micah 3:11

    The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

  • Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

  • Philippians 4:9

    Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  • Genesis 39:2

    And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

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