Today we are going to take a look at Amos 1 and 2. In this section we have messages of judgment being pronounced not only to Judah and Israel, but also the surrounding nations.

In Amos 1 we are introduced to the prophet Amos, and told that he prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel. After we are introduced to Amos, Amos then speaks messages against Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and in the beginning of chapter 2 Moab. The messages to all of these places is a punishment that is coming. The punishment was for transgressions they committed to other nations and peoples.

From here we shift from the places surrounding Judah and Israel to a message for (or against) Judah and Israel. What I hope you picked up on is not necessarily the punishment coming to them, but the reason for this punishment. We see the reason for Judah’s punishment was rejecting the law of the Lord. Then Israel’s punishment was for profaning God’s holy name, by selling the righteous and poor for money (or even less than money) and terrible sexual acts.

So what I wanted us to focus on, is that there is a distinction between why these punishments are being dealt out. It might seem subtle, but there is a difference. The punishment although sounding close to the same I believe is different as well, because this punishment is more personal, because this is only true God, and the God that Judah and Israel are supposed to be serving, so the transgressions are personally against God, and they would know the punishment was from God. It seems to me it is a much more personal series of events than what the other nations would feel.

So let us take heed from these messages and not profane the name of God, but instead worship and serve Him, unlike the people were doing in Israel and Judah at this time!

Thanks for reading,

Pastor Josh