Amos - Chapter 2

Amos 2.1 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: Amos 2.2 But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet: Amos 2.3 And I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, and will slay all the princes thereof with him, saith the LORD. Amos 2.4 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked: Amos 2.5 But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem. Amos 2.6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; Amos 2.7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: Amos 2.8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. Amos 2.9 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. Amos 2.10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. Amos 2.11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD. Amos 2.12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not. Amos 2.13 Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. Amos 2.14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: Amos 2.15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. Amos 2.16 And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.

Amos : Chapter 2

God's Judgment on Judah and Israel

Chapter 2 of the Book of Amos extends divine judgment to Judah and Israel. Why does God condemn his own people? This incisive text highlights the sins of Judah and especially Israel. It highlights Israel's ingratitude for God's blessings, its oppression of the poor, and its moral corruption. Amos 2 reveals that a special relationship with God involves greater responsibility.

Divine Responsibility: Five Enlightening Passages

Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the principles of divine responsibility expressed in this thought-provoking chapter.

Isaiah 16:6

"We have heard of the pride of Moab, of their exaggerated arrogance and their insolence, but their boasting is vain." This verse mirrors Amos's judgment against Moab in Amos 2:1-3, thus emphasizing the theme of pride national.

Hosea 4:1-2

"Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, for the Lord has a rebuke against you who live in this land: 'There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in this land. Only cursing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery are seen; you have exceeded all bounds! Bloodshed is constant.'" This passage echoes Amos' accusations against Israel in Amos 2:6-8, highlighting the moral and social corruption that reigns among the people.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, nor the mighty man of his strength, nor the rich man of his riches. But let him who boasts boast of this: he understands and knows me, for I am the Lord, and I act faithfully, justly, and fairly on earth, for these are the things that please me,' declares the Lord." This passage relates to Amos's criticism of Israel's confidence in its own strength and wealth, as highlighted in Amos 2:14-16.

Deuteronomy 24:17-18

"Do not violate the rights of a foreigner or an orphan, and do not take a widow's clothes as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord your God freed you. Therefore, I command you to do this." This commandment from the Mosaic Law is violated by the Israelites in Amos 2:6-7, showing how they have strayed from the divine principles that should guide their lives.

Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: to do justice, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God." This verse summarizes the type of behavior God expected of Israel, in contrast to the actions condemned by Amos in Amos 2:6-8.

These passages remind us of the importance of living in accordance with divine teachings, emphasizing that the responsibility to live according to God's will rests with each of us.