Cows

So today I've been studying through Amos 4 ... verse one says this,

"Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, "Bring us some drinks!"

Then I checked out The IVP Background Commentary: Old Testament to find out a little bit more about the cows of Bashan ...

"Once again demonstrating his background as a herdsman, Amos uses the finely bred cattle of Bashan as a metaphor. These prize animals grazed on the lush grass available in this region in Transjordan on either side of the Yarmuk River (see Deut 32:14). Amos compares these fine cows to the self-indulgent wives of the nobility and wealthy merchants of Samaria. Neither these cows nor these women are capable of seeing beyond their own personal need and desires (compare Is 3:16). The women, like totally self-absorbed grazing cows, cannot even imagine that people may be starving while they call for another cup of wine or another extravagant meal."

Nothing like being compared to a fat cow ... totally self-absorbed .... doing well and wanting more while others around are in need.

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Lord, open my eyes to the to the poor and needy ... help me find a way to help them ...