Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: Fallen, no more to rise, is maiden Israel; forsaken on her land, with no one to raise her up. For thus says the Lord GOD: The city that marched out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which marched out a hundred shall have ten left. For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: Seek me and live; but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beer-sheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing. Seek the LORD and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!˙ The one who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the LORD is his name, who makes destruction flash out against the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress. They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord: In all the squares there shall be wailing; and in all the streets they shall say, “Alas! alas!” They shall call the farmers to mourning, and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing; in all the vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through the midst of you, says the LORD. Amos 5:1-17
Dear Elizabeth,
The trip home went without any problems and I am settled back in with Mama and Papa. That said, nothing is the same and it feels as if I am a stranger in a strange land. Papa and Joseph had several heated conversations while I was away and it has been decided that we will get married privately, at home with no friends or frills at all. I know they are trying to protect me, but it feels as if I am being punished for something I did wrong - which was nothing! Joseph visits every day and he is very kind and gentle with me. He and Papa make all the decisions without even asking me what I want. Mama has been very tender, there are many tears, and she seems most worried for my safety. I thought at first they were only worried about their reputation, but it seems as if there have been some threats and accusations. Needless to say, this is not home sweet home right now.
My belly seems to be expanding at an alarming rate. I am so glad I spent time with you to learn that what I am experiencing is quite normal. Mama and I have been altering some of my clothing so make me more comfortable. She smiles when she thinks about having a grandchild. Her smiles are short lived because she worries so much. I hope you will write to her and give her some comfort. I have accepted my life as it is and wish so much she would too! I know she is very faithful and trusts God, and yet, her maternal instinct to protect me is so great. I imagine one day I will be just like her to my child. Well, I must run, as you know all to well!
much love,
Mary
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