September 8 A READ AMOS 1–2
The Funnel of Fire
OVERVIEW
Amos, a southern shepherd sent north with God’s awful message for Israel, begins with a series of stinging judgments on Israel’s neighbors. In characteristically prophetic fashion, he harshly condemns the transgressions of the seven nations that surround Israel, and then he gradually “zeros in” on Israel itself. Each of his eight oracles in today’s two chapters begins with the words, “The people of . . . have sinned again and again,” meaning that each nation is full of sin. Therefore each nation receives the same sentence of doom: “I will send down fire” (1:4, 7, 10, 12, 14; 2:2, 5).
MY DAILY WALK
Imagine Amos standing on your street corner, loudly condemning the sins of your neighbors. He names your friends house by house, moving steadily around the block: “the Hoovers . . . the Kirks . . . the Wallaces . . . the Holmeses . . .” And then, horrified, you hear him name you!
What would Amos say about you? Mentally list those shortcomings, failures, and excesses that would embarrass you the most if announced from your street corner. Announce them yourself right now to God. There’s no need to wait for fire to fall—or a prophet to knock—before you tend to an area of your life overdue for change.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A LITTLE SIN BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH PERSON AS A LITTLE GOD TO SIN AGAINST.
INSIGHT
Amos’s Funnel of Fire | Amos 1:3
God is concerned for all nations, and they all must answer to his justice and judgment. In verse 1:3 Amos begins his “Rogues Gallery” with Israel’s neighbors on all sides, then spirals inward, leaving the judgment of Israel for last. Can you sense the expectation building as Amos moves ever closer to the principal target of his sermon?
INSIGHT
Three Plus Four Equals Enough | Amos 2:6
Eight times in the first two chapters, Amos uses the expression “again and again” (for example, see 2:6)—literally, “for three transgressions and for four.” Since the number seven represents completion, Amos may have been signifying the full and complete sinfulness of the nation. In other words, God’s wrath is warranted.
1This message was given to Amos, a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah. He received this message in visions two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash,* was king of Israel.
2This is what he saw and heard:
“The LORD’s voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem!
The lush pastures of the shepherds will dry up;
the grass on Mount Carmel will wither and die.”
God’s Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors
3This is what the LORD says:
“The people of Damascus have sinned again and again,*
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They beat down my people in Gilead
as grain is threshed with iron sledges.
4So I will send down fire on King Hazael’s palace,
and the fortresses of King Ben-hadad will be destroyed.
5I will break down the gates of Damascus
and slaughter the people in the valley of Aven.
I will destroy the ruler in Beth-eden,
and the people of Aram will go as captives to Kir,”
says the LORD.
6This is what the LORD says:
“The people of Gaza have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They sent whole villages into exile,
selling them as slaves to Edom.
7So I will send down fire on the walls of Gaza,
and all its fortresses will be destroyed.
8I will slaughter the people of Ashdod
and destroy the king of Ashkelon.
Then I will turn to attack Ekron,
and the few Philistines still left will be killed,”
says the Sovereign LORD.
9This is what the LORD says:
“The people of Tyre have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They broke their treaty of brotherhood with Israel,
selling whole villages as slaves to Edom.
10So I will send down fire on the walls of Tyre,
and all its fortresses will be destroyed.”
11This is what the LORD says:
“The people of Edom have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords,
showing them no mercy.
In their rage, they slashed them continually
and were unrelenting in their anger.
12So I will send down fire on Teman,
and the fortresses of Bozrah will be destroyed.”
13This is what the LORD says:
“The people of Ammon have sinned again and again,
and I will not let them go unpunished!
When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders,
they ripped open pregnant women with their swords.
14So I will send down fire on the walls of Rabbah,
and all its fortresses will be destroyed.
The battle will come upon them with shouts,
like a whirlwind in a mighty storm.
15And their king* and his princes will go into exile together,”
says the LORD.