In The Crosshairs of Judgment

Three things that Amos highlights for us is 1) the standard for God’s measure of the nations, 2) the principle behind the standard, and 3) the patience of the LORD in His dealings with the nations.

In these first two chapters of Amos, the standard for God’s measure of the nations is revealed. It is their treatment of other nations. The principle behind the standard? Privilege brings responsibility, more privilege brings more responsibility. Just as each of us is accountable for our actions before the LORD, so too are the nations and their leadership, who bear greater responsibility. As we will see, all the nations were guilty of violating human rights, yet the harshest judgment falls on the LORD’s own people, they who had the greatest light (possessing the revelation of God) of all people. National privilege brings national responsibility. Jesus spoke of this in Luke 12:47-48.

Luke 12:47–48 NASB95

“And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

We also see in these first two chapters the patience of the LORD in His sovereign governing of the world. There is a repeated phrase in Amos 1 and 2: “For three transgressions … and for four,” which points out two truths:

1) The LORD does not judge nations based on one transgression, even though He could. He is displaying His mercy by waiting. But the second truth…

2) The LORD, though withholding judgment for a season, will judge at a time appointed by Him. An example of this would be found in Genesis 15:16.

Genesis 15:16 NASB95

“Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”

Here we see again a theme which we observed in Jonah. Now let’s dive in to see what Amos has to say to us today…

1. Introducing the shepherd turned prophet, Amos 1:1-2.

v. 1 – Amos is one of the shepherds of the village of Tekoa, in Judah, ten miles south of Jerusalem. Though he is a Judahite, he has been given visions regarding the northern kingdom of Israel. The time frame is during the reign of Uzziah, Judah’s king, and Jeroboam (II), son of Joash, Israel’s king. He is going into “enemy” territory to proclaim the LORD’s message to this wayward nation. We are also told that this was two years before the earthquake, which was perhaps about 762 BC, possibly referenced in Zech 14:5.

In the ANE, an earthquake was regarded as an omen of judgment…maybe this gave the words of Amos an added authority, since he warned them 2 years before the earthquake.

v. 2 – Amos summarized His message, placing “The LORD” and “Zion” in the emphatic position in our Hebrew text. Zion is the place which the LORD has placed His presence, in Jerusalem. He has something to say, and He will not be silent. The results of His words are emphasized by the last stanzas of this verse, two pictures of promised judgment for breaking the covenant. All are included under the Noahic covenant, Genesis 9:5-7.

Genesis 9:5–7 NASB95

“Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”

2. Foreign neighbor nations in the Judge’s crosshairs, Amos 1:3-10.

As Amos addresses the nations, we will see the use of “the rhetoric of entrapment.” He circles around his intended audience until finally he lands. The pattern for each nation is a declaration, the reason for the declaration, and the description of the coming judgment.

A. Aram, vs. 3-5.

Declaration: v. 3 – “transgression” (Heb. pesa’) is a word whose essential idea is rebellion against authority; in this case, divine authority.

“For three…and for four” is used as a euphemism for numerous transgressions. The LORD has been patient, but judgment is now coming, and it shall not be revoked. “Damascus” is used as the leading city of the Arameans, standing in the place of the kingdom of Aram.

Reason? The LORD points to their cruelty to a neighbor people, those who live in Gilead, east of the Jordan River—and descendants of Israel.

v. 4 – “house of Hazael” probably speaks to the dynasty of rulers; the “citadels of Ben-Hadad” are fortified towers. Together this speaks of a consuming destruction. Fire would weaken the stone walls, making it easier for entry.

v. 5 – “break the gate bar” makes it impossible to defend the city; “the valley of Aven” and “Beth-Eden” mean “the valley of evil, or wickedness” and “House of pleasure.” Interesting names; they are probably real places. “Kir” is in Mesopotamia, from where the Arameans originally came from, Amos 9:7

Amos 9:7 NASB95

“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?” declares the Lord. “Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

Fulfillment: Fulfilled in 732 BC, when Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria captured Damascus and took the Arameans captive.

B. Philistia, vs. 6-8.

Declaration against Gaza, the major city of Philistia.

Reason: They bought and sold others. They captured and deported whole communities, who became slaves. In other words, they took God’s image-bearers and treated them as mere commodities. (2 Chr. 21:16-17; cf. Joel 3:5 and Joel 3:3, 6)

2 Chronicles 21:16–17 NASB95

Then the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabs who bordered the Ethiopians; and they came against Judah and invaded it, and carried away all the possessions found in the king’s house together with his sons and his wives, so that no son was left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

Coming judgment: Consuming destruction described; also death of the people and rulers of all the city-states of Philistia. Gath is not mentioned; the reason may be that Gath was already under Judah’s control.

“Lord GOD” – the Sovereign God, the term stresses both His lordship over all things and His covenant relationship with His people.

Fulfillment: Initially conquered under Uzziah and Hezekiah. Later a succession of Assyrian conquerors captured the towns. Finally, during the Maccabean period (169-134 BC), the Philistines pass out of existence.

C. Lebanon, vs. 9-10.

Declaration against Tyre, the major city of Lebanon.

Reason: They traded in human lives in spite of a covenant promise pledging not to do so. “The covenant of brotherhood” may have been established between Solomon and Hiram, or possibly between Ahab and the Phoenicians.

Coming judgment: Consuming destruction described.

Fulfillment: Conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Phoenicia never rises to its heights again.

3. ‘Blood relatives’ in the Judge’s crosshairs, 1:11-2:5.

A. Edom, vs. 11-12.

Declaration against Edom (the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s (Israel) twin brother.

Reason: Unforgiving, took revenge.

Coming judgment: Consuming destruction upon the main cities of Edom, Teman (southern Edom) and Bozrah (northern Edom).

Fulfillment: The Assyrians subjugated Edom in the eighth century B.C., and the Nabateans, an Arabian tribe, took it over in the fourth century B.C.

B. Ammon, vs. 13-15.

Declaration of judgment against the “sons of Ammon,” euphemism for the Ammonite nation. This nation of people is descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham.

Reason: They used cruelty as a tool on their neighbors to expand their borders.

Coming judgment: Rabbah, the capital, will face consuming destruction. A day to come with warfare, in which the king and prices will go into exile together.

Fulfillment: This destruction happened when Tiglath-Pileser III invaded Ammon in 734 BC. Ammon’s final demise came when Nebuchadnezzar sacked Rabbah and took many of Ammon’s citizens captive to Babylon around 586 BC. The last reference to them is the Ammonites’ defeat by Judas Maccabeus in the second century BC. (1 Macc. 5:6–7).

C. Moab, 2:1-3.

Declaration of judgment against the nation of Moab (descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew).

Reason: They were violent and vindictive toward others. Burning the bones of a dead person dishonored that individual, since there was then nothing substantial left of him.

Coming judgment: Consuming destruction, death of many in war to come.

Fulfillment: Nebuchadnezzar conquered Moab shortly after 598 B.C., which opened the way for Arab tribes to occupy its land.

Ellisen: “When a society acquiesces in and welcomes an evil, knowing it is evil, that society is doomed.”

D. Judah, vs. 4-5.

Declaration of Judgment against Judah (southern kingdom).

Reason: They despised the LORD’s instructions on what their treatment of others should be like; they failed to learn a lesson from the neighboring nations’ wrong behavior.

Coming judgment: Consuming destruction

Fulfillment: The fulfillment came with Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:1–12).

4. Israel in the Judge’s crosshairs, vs. 6-16.

Here is the “gotcha” of Amos’ prophecy!

Declaration of judgment against Israel (northern kingdom).

Reason: They oppressed the poor and needy. More specifically:

1) Injustice, v. 6b.

2) Avarice, v. 7a.

3) Oppression, v. 7b.

4) Immorality, v. 7c.

5) Profanity, v. 7d.

6) Blasphemy, v. 8a.

7) Sacrilege, v. 8b.

The pattern changes: the LORD speaks of His role in their becoming His people, taken out of bondage, led the same and brought them to a land of their own, and raising up those who would serve Him. This was all constructive. They suggested compromise, unwilling to commit to the LORD, and unwilling to listen or obey the word of the LORD. The sins of Israel have burdened the LORD, weighed Him down and therefore must be judged.

Coming judgment: it will come, and none can escape it. The sevenfold panic Israel will experience:

1) Not even the swift of feet can flee, v. 14a.

2) Resistance will be futile, v. 14b.

3) Great leaders will not halt the LORD’s judgment, v. 14c.

4) Archers opposing the LORD will not be able to stand before Him, v. 15a.

5) Quick runners cannot escape the LORD’s judgment, v. 15b.

6) Horsemen cannot outrun the LORD’s judgment, v. 15c.

7) The bravest warriors will be fearful and seek escape unsuccessfully, v. 16a.

The LORD has declared it, it will come about.

Fulfillment: This threatened judgment came when the Assyrians besieged and destroyed Samaria, Israel’s capital, in 722 B.C., and carried many of the people of that land into captivity.

What these oracles teach us today:

1) They teach God is sovereign over all nations and holds them accountable for their conduct toward other human beings, as well as for their response to special revelation (cf. Gen. 9:5-6).

2) They teach that God is patient with sinners and will only punish when the measure of human sin has exceeded His predetermined limit.

3) They also teach that God is impartial in His judgment; He will punish sin in His own people, as well as sin in those with whom He has established no special relationship.

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