Amos Chapter 2

"Justice Gavel" (cc) Tori Rector 2014

Continuing the previous chapter, God proclaimed judgment against nations for their sins.

Outline

• Judgment against Edom
• Judgment against Judah
• Judgment against Israel
• God rebuked Israel

Lesson

As if the miracles and physical presence of God in the wilderness were not enough for Israel (He was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day; He was a rock that gave water that traveled with them; He literally spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai), God physically manifested His presence as the shekinah glory that dwelt in the temple in Jerusalem from the day King Solomon dedicated the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). Therefore, of all the people on the planet, we would expect Jews to be faithful to God. If any Jew during Amos’ day doubted God’s existence, he could go to the temple in Jerusalem and see proof!

However, just like us, the Jews of history rebelled against God. The first thing Jeroboam did when he established the northern kingdom was set up two golden calves and proclaim that the statues, not Jehovah, were god (2 Chronicles 11:13-15).

Seriously?

Unfortunately, the Jews believed Jeroboam! According to the accounts in the books of Kings and Chronicles, not one ruler of the northern kingdom turned from the idolatry established by Jeroboam. Not one.

If you are like me, you are shaking your head at the Israelites. However, stop a minute and think. Has God given you life? Has He put a roof over your head? Has He given you food to eat? Has He allowed you to come into His house (currently the church) to learn about Him and see evidence of His existence? And do you, like the Israelites of Amos’ day, pretend He isn’t real?

No matter how much we point at Israel and shake our heads, we are guilty of the same. God blesses us each day with so many things and we daily disobey Him. (“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” (1 John 1:8))

The solution?

“If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As in most matters of faith, the answer abides in our attitude. Are we justifying ourselves, ignoring the Bible and God’s expectations? Or, are we daily recognizing our faults, admitting them before God, and desiring to walk closer to Him that we might honor and please Him?

Just to be clear, I am not speaking of works. A perfect life is not pleasing to God; a perfect heart pleases Him. So, remember all God does for you on a daily basis. Thank Him for it. Love Him for it. And, for goodness' sake, do not ignore Him!

Reflection

• Do you insult God by ignoring Him even as you use the blessings He gives you?

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Verse by Verse Study

1–3 As with the nations in the previous chapter, God declared judgment against Moab for its pride and lack of mercy. The ancient custom of burying derives from the belief that God will one day resurrect the dead. Therefore, burning the bones was a grave insult by not only stealing the grieving family of a proper memorial but also an attempt to deny that person a second life. As Moab cruelly treated Edom’s royal family, God would utterly destroy Moab’s royal lineage.

4–5 Judah’s sin, according to God, was spiritual adultery. Judah knew God’s commandments, had previously entered a covenant with Him, but chose to believe lies and abandon the covenant (Exodus 24:3-8).

6–8 The sins of the northern kingdom included greed; they gained material riches by stepping on others. Worse, they committed sexual sins as a form of worship to false gods (lay down on clothes by every altar). The wine of the condemned references drunkenness (see Ephesians 5:18).

9–11 God listed several of the favors He performed for the Jews. Not only did He provide physical blessings but also He supplied spiritual blessings. Prophets proclaimed God’s word, literally. A Nazarite worshiped in a special manner by separating himself for God’s service.

12 The people spat in the face of God by deliberately defiling their spiritual blessings. The Nazarite was forbidden to have any form of grape, so forcing him to take wine ruined his vow to God. Forbidding the prophet to prophesy was as rude and ridiculous to God as a child plugging his ears and shouting, “I’m not listening,” to his parent.

13 God used the analogy of a cart to expose how the people’s love of things and false beliefs had completely buried God’s truth. As an overloaded cart is no longer useful, their religion had become so bogged down with lies that it was worthless.

Paul echoed this problem in 1 Corinthians when he wrote, “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (5:6) That is, a whole lot of truth with just a sprinkle of lies is no better than a complete lie. False religious beliefs—such as since God is love, He would never send someone to Hell—ruin the entire message of the Bible. Every person must seek out his own salvation, committing his ways to God and desiring to draw close to Him (Philippians 2:12). We must turn from our sin to turn to God.

14–16 As with the other nations, the things in which the Jews placed their trust became the object of God’s judgment. If we trust anything other than God to save us, we will be disappointed.