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Amos Reveals God's Punishment of Israel
October 10, 2015

Prior to the Feast of Tabernacles we had started our study of the Book of Amos by seeing a list of indictments against the neighbors of Judah and Israel and had most recently read chapter two where we learned that not even the mighty can escape the punishment of God. Today, we continue our study of Amos, and learn that God's punishment is focused on his chosen people.

Amos 3:1-8
Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

God indicated his punishment on Israel because they were his chosen people and were living a life not in agreement with God. As a warning to Israel, God shows that whenever punishment is due, a warning is first given through a prophet of God. The question that is asked is, "Who is this prophet?"

Amos 3:9-12
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

The prophet was to provide a written warning not only to Israel but also tothe surrounding countries. An enemy was to be brought to the land to destroy the strength of the countries, something that was considered so unlikely it would be like a shepherd being able to remove meat from the mouth of a lion. No matter how protected or blessed the children of Israel thought they might be, God would not only find them, but allow punishment to come to them.

Amos 3:13-15
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

God concludes this warning by showing that all who deserve punishment will be punished, small and great alike.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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