This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron. This is what the LORD saysThis phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction sets the tone for the prophetic message, underscoring that the words are not merely Amos's but are divinely inspired, carrying the weight of divine judgment and truth. For three transgressions of Damascus, even four
This expression is a Hebrew idiom used to indicate a fullness or completeness of sin. The number three represents completeness, and adding "even four" intensifies the idea, suggesting that the sins of Damascus are not only complete but overflowing. This pattern is repeated throughout Amos, highlighting the seriousness of the offenses and the certainty of impending judgment. Historically, Damascus was a major city in Aram, often in conflict with Israel, and its transgressions were well-known to the original audience. I will not revoke My wrath
The phrase indicates the certainty and inevitability of divine judgment. The Hebrew root for "revoke" suggests a turning back or relenting, which God declares He will not do. This underscores the justice and righteousness of God, who must address sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent rebellion against God's laws. because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron
This imagery is vivid and brutal, depicting the severe oppression and violence inflicted by Damascus upon Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River. "Threshed" refers to the agricultural process of separating grain, but here it metaphorically describes the ruthless destruction of people. "Sledges of iron" were heavy, spiked instruments used in threshing, symbolizing the harshness and cruelty of the actions. Historically, this reflects the aggressive military campaigns of Damascus against Israelite territories, highlighting the moral depravity and inhumanity of their actions. This serves as a powerful illustration of why divine judgment is warranted, reminding readers of the importance of justice and compassion in human affairs. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from Tekoa, called by God to deliver messages of judgment to Israel and surrounding nations. 2. DamascusThe capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), known for its wealth and military power. 3. GileadA region east of the Jordan River, often associated with the tribes of Gad and Manasseh, known for its balm and fertile land. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through His prophets to deliver His judgments. 5. TransgressionsRefers to the repeated sins or offenses committed by Damascus, which have provoked God's judgment. Teaching Points The Certainty of God's JudgmentGod's declaration "I will not revoke My judgment" emphasizes His commitment to justice. Believers should understand that God's patience has limits, and persistent sin will be addressed. The Weight of SinThe phrase "for three transgressions, even four" indicates a fullness or completeness of sin. It serves as a reminder that God is aware of all our actions, and repeated offenses accumulate before Him. The Importance of JusticeThe specific sin of Damascus, "threshing Gilead with sledges of iron," highlights the brutality and injustice that God condemns. Christians are called to act justly and oppose oppression in all forms. God's Sovereignty Over NationsThis passage shows that God holds all nations accountable, not just Israel. Believers should trust in God's ultimate control over world events and His ability to bring about His purposes. Repentance and MercyWhile this verse focuses on judgment, the broader biblical account offers hope through repentance. Christians should be encouraged to seek God's mercy and turn from sin. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the phrase "for three transgressions, even four" suggest about the nature of sin and God's response to it? 2. How does the historical context of Damascus' actions against Gilead help us understand the severity of their transgressions? 3. In what ways can we see God's justice and mercy working together in the message of Amos 1:3? 4. How can we apply the lessons of God's judgment on Damascus to our personal lives and our communities today? 5. What other biblical examples of God's judgment on nations can we study to gain a deeper understanding of His character and expectations? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 17This chapter also prophesies the downfall of Damascus, highlighting the consistency of God's judgment against nations that oppose His people. 2 Kings 10:32-33Provides historical context for the conflict between Aram and Israel, including the oppression of Gilead. Psalm 7:12-13Speaks to God's righteous judgment and His readiness to act against persistent sin. Proverbs 6:16-19Lists things the Lord hates, which can be related to the transgressions of Damascus. Matthew 5:21-22Jesus' teaching on the seriousness of sin and judgment, which can be connected to the concept of transgressions leading to divine judgment. | Divine Cognisance of Human Sins | Homilist | Amos 1:3 | | God's Dealings with Other Nations | | Amos 1:3 | | Signs of Cruelty | Sebastian Benefield, D. D. | Amos 1:3 | | The Enormity of the Sin of Persecution | Homilist | Amos 1:3 | | The Purpose of Divine Threatenings | E. B. Pusey, D. D. | Amos 1:3 | | The Judgment on Damascus | J.R. Thomson | Amos 1:3-5 | | Great Sufferings Following Great Sins | D. Thomas | Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6 | | The Enormity of the Sin of Persecution | D. Thomas | Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6 |
People Amos, Aram, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Hadad, Hazael, Jehoash, Jeroboam, Joash, Teman, UzziahPlaces Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beth-eden, Bozrah, Carmel, Damascus, Edom, Ekron, Gaza, Gilead, Jerusalem, Kir, Rabbah, Syria, Tekoa, Teman, Tyre, Valley of Aven, ZionTopics Changed, Crimes, Crushing, Damascus, Fate, Gilead, Grain-crushing, Implements, Instruments, Iron, Irons, Punishment, Reverse, Revoke, Says, Sentence, Sharp, Sharp-pointed, Sins, Sledges, Teeth, Thereof, Threshed, Threshing, Thus, Transgressions, Turn, Wrath, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 1:3 1656 numbers, combinations
1690 word of God
4336 iron
5189 teeth
5561 suffering, nature of
5562 suffering, innocent
6025 sin, and God's character
7530 foreigners
7773 prophets, role
8791 oppression, nature of Amos 1:3-2:5 5315 fortifications Amos 1:3-4 5350 injustice, hated by God Amos 1:3-8 5295 destruction Library The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Whether, in Prophetic Revelation, New Species of Things are Impressed on the Prophet's Mind, or Merely a New Light?
Objection 1: It would seem that in prophetic revelation no new species of things are impressed on the prophet's mind, but only a new light. For a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2 says that "prophets draw comparisons from things with which they are conversant." But if prophetic vision were effected by means of species newly impressed, the prophet's previous experience of things would be inoperative. Therefore no new species are impressed on the prophet's soul, but only the prophetic light. Objection 2: …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether a Natural Disposition is Requisite for Prophecy?
Objection 1: It would seem that a natural disposition is requisite for prophecy. For prophecy is received by the prophet according to the disposition of the recipient, since a gloss of Jerome on Amos 1:2, "The Lord will roar from Sion," says: "Anyone who wishes to make a comparison naturally turns to those things of which he has experience, and among which his life is spent. For example, sailors compare their enemies to the winds, and their losses to a shipwreck. In like manner Amos, who was a shepherd, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Links Amos 1:3 NIVAmos 1:3 NLTAmos 1:3 ESVAmos 1:3 NASBAmos 1:3 KJV
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