“The Lord roars from Zion and from Jerusalem He utters His voice; and the shepherds pasture grounds mourn, and the summit of Carmel dries up.” (v.2)
The introduction of the book of Amos indicates that the primary focus of the prophet’s ministry was directed toward the Northern Kingdom of Israel (v. 1).
The book now opens on a note of warning, with the Lord pictured as one who roars like a lion and shakes the earth like thunder (v.2). As a result, there is widespread devastation from the lowest valleys, where the sheep were pastured, to the mountain heights. All had been blasted by drought. According to Amos, this was far more than a meteorological event. It was an act of divine judgment emanating from Israel’s God.
The opening prophecies in this book would have been well received by the Israelites, because they were directed against the nation’s enemies, including Damascus, Philistia, Tyre, and Edom. Each oracle of judgment begins with, “This is what the Lord says.” The first was against Damascus, capital of Syria (vv.3-5). They were guilty of “threshing” Gilead (part of Israelite territory), meaning they had kicked them when they were down, taking unfair advantage at a time of weakness. While this was normal behavior in the culture of that day, it was unacceptable to God. The formula “for three sins … even for four” simply means sin upon sin.
The second oracle was against Philistia (vv.6-8). They were guilty of selling captives into slavery, again, a culturally familiar practice that was unacceptable to God. The third oracle was against Tyre and Sidon (vv.9-10). They, too, were guilty of profiting from the slave trade, in specific violation of a negotiated treaty, an act that showed a lack of integrity as well as a lack of respect for human life. The fourth oracle was against Edom (vv.11-12). They were involved in the slave trade as well, and they were also condemned for treacherous actions toward Israel. In all three cases, the judgment was the same as for Damascus—a destroying fire.
All of these nations were punished for their mistreatment of “human life.” If the Lord expected those who did not acknowledge Him as their God to treat their enemies with respect, what must He expect from those of us who know Christ? And if His expectations are greater, would not His punishment be greater too, if we are found guilty? I think so.
The Truth: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
The introduction of the book of Amos indicates that the primary focus of the prophet’s ministry was directed toward the Northern Kingdom of Israel (v. 1).
The book now opens on a note of warning, with the Lord pictured as one who roars like a lion and shakes the earth like thunder (v.2). As a result, there is widespread devastation from the lowest valleys, where the sheep were pastured, to the mountain heights. All had been blasted by drought. According to Amos, this was far more than a meteorological event. It was an act of divine judgment emanating from Israel’s God.
The opening prophecies in this book would have been well received by the Israelites, because they were directed against the nation’s enemies, including Damascus, Philistia, Tyre, and Edom. Each oracle of judgment begins with, “This is what the Lord says.” The first was against Damascus, capital of Syria (vv.3-5). They were guilty of “threshing” Gilead (part of Israelite territory), meaning they had kicked them when they were down, taking unfair advantage at a time of weakness. While this was normal behavior in the culture of that day, it was unacceptable to God. The formula “for three sins … even for four” simply means sin upon sin.
The second oracle was against Philistia (vv.6-8). They were guilty of selling captives into slavery, again, a culturally familiar practice that was unacceptable to God. The third oracle was against Tyre and Sidon (vv.9-10). They, too, were guilty of profiting from the slave trade, in specific violation of a negotiated treaty, an act that showed a lack of integrity as well as a lack of respect for human life. The fourth oracle was against Edom (vv.11-12). They were involved in the slave trade as well, and they were also condemned for treacherous actions toward Israel. In all three cases, the judgment was the same as for Damascus—a destroying fire.
All of these nations were punished for their mistreatment of “human life.” If the Lord expected those who did not acknowledge Him as their God to treat their enemies with respect, what must He expect from those of us who know Christ? And if His expectations are greater, would not His punishment be greater too, if we are found guilty? I think so.
The Truth: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9-10)
