Amos 6:1

Amos 6:1 says, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!  God pronounced His woe on those who trusted in the mountains of Samaria to keep them safe.  This was a physical barrier between them and other nations.  Because of this, they were at ease in Zion, but they were not following God and His word.  We may be at ease in the world today because of material blessings, but if we are not following God and His word, then He will pronounce His woe to us.  Verse two adds, Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?  God called on the people of Judah and Israel to look around at these nations that had once been stronger than them and were now defeated and in ruins.  God asked if Israel were greater physically than these nations were and the answer was no.  Israel was never a powerful nation because of her military might, but were so because of the blessings of God, and the same is true of Christians today.  Verse three states, Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;  God said that they thought that they could put aside the day of evil, or judgment.  God's judgment will be a day of evil for those who are not saved, and though people may not want to believe it, that day will come.  For many people, it will come today, since we cannot change our relationship to God once we die.  Verse four adds, That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;  God said that they were living the life of ease and luxury and felt that this was their right and that it would always continue.  We should never put our faith in the things of this world, nor feel that if we are materially blessed that it is our right as Christians.   Verse five continues, That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;  God said that the people were making music that they claimed was to worship Him as David did.  Yet, this was done simply to satisfy their carnal lusts Matthew Henry says.  We need to make sure that what we do in the name of worshipping God is not done simply to satisfy our carnal lusts.  Verse six says, That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.  God said that they drank wine by the bowl full and anointed themselves with experience ointments, and yet were not concerned with those around them who were in need.  We should never feel that God has blessed us simply for our own benefit, but must use all that He blesses us with under His guidance.   I don't believe this will ever lead to self indulgence.  Verse seven declares, Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.  God said the people who had felt safe and rich would be the first to go into captivity.  Our material status in the world will never exempt us from God's judgment.