Judgment on Israel
July 17, 2019
Commentary
After charging many of Israel’s enemies, including the nation of Judah, Amos turned his attention to Israel itself. Using the same formula of condemnation that he had employed for Israel’s enemies, he warned that the nation of Israel would not escape punishment for its behavior. Amos mentions five specific transgressions:
1. They Enriched themselves at the Expense of the poor (v. 6). – Amos criticized Israel of selling “the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals”. This probably alludes to the practice of selling debtors into slavery when they couldn’t pay off their loans.
2. They used the legal system to Exploit the poor (v. 7a). – The courts sided with the creditors against the debtors, thus trampling the poor into the dust.
3. They committed Sexual Immorality (v. 7b). – God’s Law forbids all forms of fornication (sex outside of marriage), and for a father and his son to share a woman sexually was equivalent to incest (Lev. 18:6-18). For God’s people to commit such sin showed great dishonor to God’s name and His character.
4. They broke pledges with one another (v. 8a). – The Law states that an individual might borrow another’s garment only on the condition that the garment be returned by nightfall (Exo. 22:26-27). A poor individual’s cloak might be their only shelter at night.
5. They perverted the worship of God (v. 8b). – Israel clamed to worship Jehovah but they did it in the form of two golden calves, one located in Bethel and the other in Dan (1 Kings 12:28-29). Instead of true worship, they chose to drink and party.
They had forgotten God’s redemptive work on their behalf. The Lord rehearsed his mighty acts (vv. 9-12). He raised up prophets to instruct his people in righteousness. The Lord’s judgment was inevitable and inescapable (vv. 13-16).
Application
It is good to remember what God has done in my life. It is a good thing to go back and remind myself how God has worked in the past when I begin to feel unhappy with the present. Most of all, keep a record of the meaningful lessons I have learned from God’s Word.
Amos 2:6– 16 (NET)
6 This is what the Lord says: “Because Israel has committed three covenant transgressions — make that four —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They sold the innocent for silver, the needy for a pair of sandals.
7 They trample on the dirt-covered heads of the poor; they push the destitute away. A man and his father go to the same girl; in this way they show disrespect for my moral purity.
8 They stretch out on clothing seized as collateral; they do so right beside every altar! They drink wine bought with the fines they have levied; they do so right in the temple of their God!
9 For Israel’s sake I destroyed the Amorites. They were as tall as cedars and as strong as oaks, but I destroyed the fruit on their branches and their roots in the ground.
10 I brought you up from the land of Egypt; I led you through the wilderness for forty years so you could take the Amorites’ land as your own.
11 I made some of your sons prophets and some of your young men Nazirites. Is this not true, you Israelites?” The Lord is speaking.
12 “But you made the Nazirites drink wine; you commanded the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy!’
13 Look! I will press you down, like a cart loaded down with grain presses down.
14 Fast runners will find no place to hide; strong men will have no strength left; warriors will not be able to save their lives.
15 Archers will not hold their ground; fast runners will not save their lives, nor will those who ride horses.
16 Bravehearted warriors will run away naked in that day.” The Lord is speaking.
Illustration: Ralph Waldo Emerson As he aged his memory declined
As philosopher and author Ralph Waldo Emerson aged, his memory declined to the point where he often could not remember the names of friends. At the funeral of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he said, “That gentleman has a sweet, beautiful soul, but I have entirely forgotten his name.” (Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute).