Amos 2:6 Thus said the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof… I. GOD IS THE SOLE AND RIGHTEOUS GOVERNOR OF THE WORLD. Not simply of Israel, but of Israel's enemies, Syria, Gaza, Edom, etc. Here we get a glimpse of the great truth of God's common Fatherhood. Amos somewhat anticipated Peter, "God is no respecter of persons," and taught that God regarded the sin of Israel as He did that of Syria and Edom. That God would bring them to judgment in common with other nations, came as a thunderclap to the people of Jeroboam II. With Amos there came to Israel a new conception of God. Note his words (Amos 3:2). Their privileges and blessings would not exempt them from sin's consequences. They regarded God as benevolent to them. The prophet proclaims Him as righteous (Amos 5:21-24). II. JUDGMENT TURNS, NOT ON QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE, CEREMONY, OR PROFESSION, BUT ON CHARACTER — Upon the character manifested in our treatment of those in our power. Personal character is tested by our treatment of "the least of these My brethren." Priest and Levite proclaimed their unmercifulness in leaving the robber-smitten man to his fate. We see in the infinite regard and tender compassion of Christ to the poor, the suffering, the outcast, a revelation of God's character. National character similarly tested. Damascus, Edom, Tyre, Israel cursed for what they did to people "defenceless and in their power." Doing is the gauge of being. Their greed was expressed in their utter disregard of the rights of others. Damascus rioted in the blood of defenceless Gilead (Amos 1:3). Gaza traded in men (Amos 1:6). Tyre was rich, clever, strong, enterprising, artistic, resourceful, conquering. Lust of wealth and power led them, notwithstanding their close alliance with Solomon, to trade in Hebrew captives (Amos 1:9, 10). Edom became the incarnation of the demon revenge (Amos 1:11). Ammon, prompted by lust of gain, invaded with devilish ferocity the sanctity of motherhood (Amos 1:13). Israel, ceremonious, self-righteous, prosperous, idolatrous, vain, privileged, denied justice to her poor, oppressed her children, sacrificed her young life to pleasure (Amos 2:6-8). These nations were marked, as modern nations, alas! are too often, by selfishness, and wide wasting and insatiable pride." "For these things," etc. Samson could not destroy Gaza, but greed did. Tyre was strong to defy Assyria, to found Cathage, and set at nought Nebuchadnezzar, but was consumed by fire enkindled of her own lust. The stone houses and rocky palaces of Edom afforded no refuge from the consequences of her sins. Israel destroyed herself. He who obliterated Tyre, removed Israel, consumed Edom and Gaza. "He who obliterated Babylon, destroyed Egypt, buried Greece and Rome under the debris of their own greatness." He still judges the nations. In reading the judgments pronounced by Amos we are reminded that — (1) Whoever sins against man sins against God. All human interests are sacred. (2) The law of equilibrium obtains in matters moral as well as physical. As we give we receive. Justice is of God and meted out to all. Anything that dulls the heart's sensibilities, robs of manhood's sympathy, destroys the faculty for humanity, prepares for hell. (3) Character is destiny. "Salvation is character, character is the result of moral decisions made daily." III. SIN IS CUMULATIVE. What are the three transgressions? They are not stated. The fourth only is mentioned. Why? The last is the abridgment and consummation of all the foregoing. It does not stand alone. It is but the development in the way of evil. The first sin leads to the second, and the fourth were impossible but for the former three. The growth is shown in the case of Edom (Amos 1:11). Ver. 11 indicates — (1) A time when Edom was so sensitive that the very thought of cruelty caused him to shudder. (2) But he nursed revengeful thoughts; kept the memory of wrongs ever fresh; until the shuddering ceased. "He corrupted his compassions."(3) His anger grew upon him until it thoroughly conquered him. He became gradually the incarnation of brutal revenge. Gradually men ripen for judgment. To-day's deeds are the fruit of former days. Present life is the resultant of the past. No deed, no day, no sin stands alone! IV. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN ARE INEVITABLE. Every act of sin is self-destructive. It avenges itself. The forces of judgment are loosed by the act which violates the law. (John T. Ecob.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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