Judgment on Israel’s Sinful Neighbors
September 13, 2020
Commentary
The northern Israelites were living beneath a pious veneer of religion, worshiping idols, and oppressing the poor. Amos is identified as a sheep-breeder (vv. 1-2). He is a fiery, fearless, and honest shepherd from the south who confronts the people with their sin and warns them of the impending judgment. He starts out by describing the reasons for God’s judgment on Israel’s neighbor’s (v. 3). The house of Hazael refers to the king of Syria (v. 4). Damascus, the capital of Syria was indicted for cruelty in warfare toward Gilead, their less powerful neighbors to the south (v. 5). Both led border wars against Israel. Gaza was the chief Philistine city during this time (v. 6). Their sin was compounded by the fact they carried an entire people into captivity leaving no hope for repopulation (vv. 7-8).
Phoenicia was located northwest of Israel which is now modern Lebanon. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city, went beyond the sins of the Philistines by attacking their allies, thus violating the covenant of brotherhood (vv. 9-10). Both Edom and Israel had descended from Isaac; Edom from Isaac’s son Esau, and Israel from his twin brother Jacob (Gen. 25:19-28). These two nations, like the two brothers were always fighting (vv. 11-12). The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, lived north of Moab east of the Jordan River (vv. 13-15). These people had descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his younger daughter. (Gen 19:30-38). They practiced ripping open pregnant women as a means of controlling the population of its neighbors. Amos cites abortion as evidence of the depth of depravity. Any society killing the unborn child is the ultimate sin against the helpless.
Application
It is hard to believe that our own United States of America approves this same cruel practice of killing unborn babies and is getting ready to support it with a healthcare bill. As a citizen I need to do everything I can to stand against this terrible practice of abortion.
Amos 1:1– 15 (NET)
1 The following is a record of what Amos prophesied. He was one of the herdsmen from Tekoa. These prophecies about Israel were revealed to him during the time of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
2 Amos said: “The Lord comes roaring out of Zion; from Jerusalem he comes bellowing! The shepherds’ pastures wilt; the summit of Carmel withers.”
3 This is what the Lord says: “Because Damascus has committed three crimes — make that four! —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They ripped through Gilead like threshing sledges with iron teeth.
4 So I will set Hazael’s house on fire; fire will consume Ben Hadad’s fortresses.
5 I will break the bar on the gate of Damascus. I will remove the ruler from Wicked Valley, the one who holds the royal scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Aram will be deported to Kir.” The Lord has spoken!
6 This is what the Lord says: “Because Gaza has committed three crimes — make that four! —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They deported a whole community and sold them to Edom.
7 So I will set Gaza’s city wall on fire; fire will consume her fortresses.
8 I will remove the ruler from Ashdod, the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon. I will strike Ekron with my hand; the rest of the Philistines will also die.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken!
9 This is what the Lord says: “Because Tyre has committed three crimes — make that four —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They sold a whole community to Edom; they failed to observe a treaty of brotherhood.
10 So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall; fire will consume her fortresses.”
11 This is what the Lord says: “Because Edom has committed three crimes — make that four —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. He chased his brother with a sword; he wiped out his allies. In his anger he tore them apart without stopping to rest; in his fury he relentlessly attacked them.
12 So I will set Teman on fire; fire will consume Bozrah’s fortresses.”
13 This is what the Lord says: “Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes — make that four —I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women so they could expand their territory.
14 So I will set fire to Rabbah’s city wall; fire will consume her fortresses. War cries will be heard on the day of battle; a strong gale will blow on the day of the windstorm.
15 Ammon’s king will be deported; he and his officials will be carried off together.” The Lord has spoken