The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (Amos 1:1)
The name Amos means burden or burden bearer. Many think that God calls only those who are qualified and bright to deliver His message or to advance His Kingdom. Prophet Amos shines as an example telling us that this type of thinking is not true.
Amos was a simple man, a farmer, who had been uniquely called. He was not a priest, a Levite, but just among the sheep breeders of Tekoa
The way God used Amos reminds us of the way He used the twelve disciples of Jesus – common, workingmen used to do great things for God.
And he said:
“The Lord roars from Zion,
And utters His voice from Jerusalem;
The pastures of the shepherds mourn,
And the top of Carmel withers.” (Amos 1:2)
Israel in direct disobedience to God established rival centers of worship in Dan, Bethel, and Gilgal. When Amos said that the LORD speaks from Jerusalem, he reminded all of Israel where the center of true worship was.
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. (Amos 1:3)
Implements of iron could refer to extreme acts of cruelty. Judgment would come upon Damascus for extreme cruelty in dealing with God’s people.
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they took captive the whole captivity
To deliver them up to Edom.
But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,
Which shall devour its palaces. (Amos 1:6-7)
Implements of iron could refer to extreme acts of cruelty. Judgment would come upon Gaza for selling God’s people (men, women, and children) as slaves to Edom.
God promised to send a fire upon the wall of Gaza. The walls of a city were an important defense mechanism. If the walls of a city were burnt, the city could not stand.
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom,
And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood. (Amos 1:9)
Tyre would receive a similar judgment as Gaza.
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Edom, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because he pursued his brother with the sword,
And cast off all pity;
His anger tore perpetually,
And he kept his wrath forever. (Amos 1:11)
The people of Edom descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob (later named Israel). They shared common ancestors in Abraham and Isaac. Judgment would come upon Edom for the anger they carried towards their own brother.
We need to learn to give our anger and wrath to God and let Him be our avenger.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,” I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19 NLT)
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead,
That they might enlarge their territory. (Amos 1:13)
Judgment would come upon Ammon because they literally killed innocent babies in the womb. This could be likened to abortion today.