Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Thursday, June 20, 2013 Read – Amos 5:18-27 In his speech Stephen quotes from Amos 5:25-27. The quotation is not direct – Luke has either misunderstood some of the names or he deliberately changed them to give them more impact for his readers. That is of little importance. Our reading for today covers a few extra verses from Amos. These verses are the first OT statement about the Day of the LORD being a day of darkness. As time passed the image took on more and more graphic details – the moon turning to blood and the sun becoming like black sackcloth. The point that Amos was making is that the coming of the LORD may not be what people expect – it will not be a day of vindication for all but rather a day of judgment. That is the point that Stephen shares with Amos and that is why these verses are pointed to. Like Amos, Stephen’s speech is one of judgment.