Take Two: Amos 1, Proverbs 25

As we begin the Book of Amos, a little background will help us keep the message in context. Amos is the first of 4 eighth Century prophets. He prophesied around 765-760 BC. His audience was the Northern Kingdom (Israel). In the context of Scripture, he precedes Hosea (in the North) and Isaiah and Micah in the South (Judah).

Assyria is the world power at the time and is somewhat preoccupied with other enemies, so there is little attention paid to Israel and Judah. Both Israel and Judah were on friendly terms of cooperation at this time leading to expansion of both kingdoms, economic prosperity, and an increase in "religious activity." (i.e. animal sacrifices were up. A modern way of saying this is that there was an increased "awareness of and adherence to "forms" of spirituality.)

However, at the same time,

" the period was characterized by moral and spiritual decline and by social
upheaval. Israel’s frequent attendance at the shrines to make sacrifices did not
result in moral, spiritual, and social uprightness. The rich oppressed the poor,
indulged in extravagant lifestyles, denied justice to the oppressed, and engaged
in immoral sexual activities (2:6–8; 4:1; 5:11–13). Israel’s moral and spiritual
decline, plus the social upheaval brought on by greed, contradicted their
accelerated religious activities. Such were the times of Amos’s arrival in
Israel with a strong message of judgment from God. Israel’s outward show of
devotion to God, contradicted by their moral, spiritual, and social problems,
called for a discerning and courageous prophet." (Billy K. Smith and Franklin S.
Page, vol. 19B, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The
New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001,
c1995), 26.).

So, as we recap the overview...Amos is a layperson, raised up by God to pronounce God's Message to the people. Remember, interpreting the Message of Scripture cannot be done without consideration of the "Covenant." Amos is not running to each nation mentioned here (as Jonah did to Nenveh), but is preaching to God's Covenant people. So, the judgments pronounced in this first section need to be understood in this manner: "What does God's judgment against these people have to do with me?"

Amos 1:1 introduces the prophet and gives the particulars of when he wrote. Amos 1:2 expresses the nature of the message: The Judgment of a Sovereign and Holy God is being unleashed.

Damascus is the first to be mentioned. This is the Capital of Aram (the Arameans) which is a lonstanding enemy of Israel. It is located to the Northeast of Israel. Amos 1:3-5 states that due to their mistreatment of Gilead (which seems to be the sin that "broke the camel's back), God is going to judge them.

Philistia and its capitol Gaza are next to be noted. They were located to the Southwest of Israel. Amos 1:6-8 notes God's judgment against them as well.

Amos 1:9-10 notes the judgment against Tyre (to the Northwest of Israel) which was a center of wealth and influence of the Phoenecians. One of their commodities was slavery. Their sin was a violation of the covenant of brotherhood...likely a reference to breaking a treaty...WHICH IS A VERY SERIOUS OFFENSE WITH GOD.

Amos 1:11-15 give two other peoples who will feel the judgment of God. Edom (the descendents of Esau) and Ammon. They, along with Moab (Amos 2:1-3) are located to the Southeast of Israel. The Edomites acted treacherously against their neighbors and lacked compassion (Amos 1:11). The Ammonites actually killed pregnant women to reduce populations (the focus being on the taking of innocent life) for the purpose of geographical expansion and increasing economic holdings. (i.e. they killed children and women for convenience and personal gain.) (Amos 1:13).

This opening scene of judgements will be continued tomorrow... but a pattern has emerged and is helpful to understand. If Amos is addressing Israel based on God's covenant relationship with them, then all of the focus of judgment against the nations must be for their benefit. Notice that the judgments were against their neighbors to the northeast, southwest, northwest and southeast. Tomorrow we will notice that the judgment continues to their south and ultimately addresses them. This is a unique feature among prophetic literature. Most interpreters believe that this is like a great sermon. They believe that Amos was gaining the approval of the people and drawing them in by announcing "their God's judgment" against their enemies. As they are drawn in and give approval to the message, God will focus judgment on them for their actions...since judgment alwasy begins with God's people.

Sometimes it is easy for us to see the sins of others and not our own. We will deal more with it later, but Israel assumed that since they were involved in religious activity and experiencing economic prosperity...they were blessed of God. However, they too were transgressing God's plan and purpose...a sin demanding a righteous response from a Holy God.

Proverbs 25:26 is the takeaway today. We are called to stand for those things that are of utmost importance...things of righteousness. To not do so is the be like a polluted or dirty source of water. We move from being a welcomed and needed source of refreshment to being an empty promise and an object to be marked and avoided.