Amos 5:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God pronounces woe on those who long for the day of the Lord, for to the unrepentant it will be darkness, not light.
What Does Amos 5:18 Mean?
The people longed for the day of the Lord, imagining it would mean triumph over their enemies and vindication for themselves. The prophet shatters this hope with a woe: for a people living in sin, that day will be darkness, not the light they expect. They have misunderstood entirely.
It is a dangerous thing to desire God's intervention while remaining unrepentant. The day of the Lord brings light to the faithful but darkness to the rebellious; it is judgment as much as deliverance. The verse warns against a presumptuous religion that expects God's favor without God's righteousness. It calls the reader to examine whether the coming of the Lord would be welcomed as light or dreaded as darkness, and to make ready accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 5:18
What does Amos 5:18 mean?
God pronounces woe on those who long for the day of the Lord, for to the unrepentant it will be darkness, not light.