Emphasis Preaching Journal

Oskar Groning was an SS guard at Auschwitz. One of his responsibilities was to oversee the confiscation of the luggage of the newest Jewish arrivals at the camp. His other duty was to count the money taken from the Jews. He then properly recorded the sum and sent the money and jewelry to Berlin. After his release from prison for war crimes, he shared his thoughts in an interview for a documentary movie. He still believed there was a Jewish conspiracy against the German people and therefore he showed no remorse for his actions. He vocalized his contempt for all Jews when he said, "But surely when it comes to the children you must have realized they couldn't have done anything against you. The children, they are not the enemy at the moment. The enemy is the blood inside them. The enemy is the growing up to become a Jew that is dangerous. Because of that the children were included as well."

It is difficult, if not impossible, for us to comprehend such heartless beliefs. Expressed in the interview was a total disregard for human life, even for those who were mere children. Yet, such behavior is commonplace throughout history and even in the events of this day. It is as true today as it was during the Holocaust and when Amos preached against the callousness of his people in the eighth-century BC. Amos spoke of God's impending and unstoppable judgment upon a citizenry who had a total disregard for the welfare of one's neighbor. Amos vividly recounts their actions and in so doing denounces their greed, dishonesty, and oppression of others.