Amos #2

4. The publication of God’s Judgment against Israel. 3:9-15
    a. God’s Judgments against Israel are to be published in the 
       palaces of Ashdod and Egypt. 3:9
       (1) Israel either now or a little later, courted the 
           favor of Egypt, Hosea 7:11; 12:1
       (2) Egypt and Ashdod (Philistia) were already condemned 
           for their sins. Joel 3:4-8; 3:19
       (3) To those places already condemned for their sins the 
           summons was to go to visit Samaria and see the sins 
           of a people who had received grace which they 
           themselves had not.
           (a) The purpose of this summons seems to be:
               1. To make Egypt ashamed of Israel. See Isaiah 
                  30:1-5
               2. To those Israel was to be a gazing stock. See 
                  2 Samuel 1:20
               3. They were to behold the great tumults and 
                  oppression in the midst of Israel. 3:9
               4. Of this Barnes states, “the alarms, 
                  restlessness, disorders and confusion of a 
                  people intent of gain; turning all law upside 
                  down the tumultuous noise of the oppressors 
                  and oppressed.”
               5. They were to see that Israel knew not to do 
                  right, but stored up robbery and violence in 
                  their palaces. 3:10
               6. Why would God want the enemies of Israel to 
                  see these things?
                  a. God had previously spared His people that 
                     His name should not be polluted among the 
                     heathen. Ezekiel 20:9
                  b. Now God calls those same heathen to witness 
                     that Israel is justly condemned.
                  c. Egypt and Ashdod, though guilty of the same 
                     or similar sins, would nonetheless condemn 
                     Israel for such heartless and shocking 
                     sins. (Men condemn in others, what they do 
                     themselves)
                  d. They would see that God hated sin and that 
                     if God spared not His own people, how could 
                     He spare them?
5. Because of their sins, an adversary would:
   a. Compass the land, destroy their strength, and spoil their 
      palaces. 3:11
   b. Take away the children of Israel that dwell in Samaria. 
      3:12
6. Amos was to testify in the house of Jacob. 3:13
   a. God would surely visit their transgressions upon them. 
      3:14
   b. In that day the horns of the altar at Bethel would be cut 
      off and cast down. 4:14
   c. In that day God will smite their winter and summer houses, 
      their houses of ivory, and their great houses which had 
      been obtained through robbery and violence. 3:15
7. Amos pronounces a warning upon the women of Samaria for their 
   inexcusable thoughtlessness, selfishness, and cruelty in 
   demanding such extravagance. 4:1
   a. Israel’s religiosity set forth. 4:4-5
      (1) They were heartless in their cruelty and oppression.
      (2) Yet they were deeply religious.
      (3) What a commentary on false religion.
   b. God had repeatedly admonished them with: famine, (vs.6); 
      drought, (vss.7-8); blasting and mildew, (vs. 9); 
      pestilence and sword, (vs. 10); and destruction, (vs. 11); 
      yet they had not returned unto the Lord. 4:6, 8, 9, 10, 11
   c. Amos, therefore, fervently admonishes Israel, “Prepare to 
      Meet Thy God, O Israel.” 4:12
 8. Amos takes a lamentation (mourning) over those who were full 
    of joy and who thought of themselves as secure and to be 
    envied. 5:1-3
    a. Israel is fallen to rise no more. 5:2
    b. Israel will be decimated. 5:3
    c. Compare attitude and condition of Israel with the attitude and condition of the church at Laodicea. Revelation 3:14-18

Howard See

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