Amos 2:11-16

More about Israel's transgressions -- Amos 2:11-16: God raised up some of the sons of the children of Israel to be prophets. Some of the young men dedicated themselves to be Nazirites. Prophets stood between God and the people and delivered inspired messages of instruction and correction. The Nazarites were a special class of servants for God. Sadly God said, "But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, 'You shall not prophesy." "One of the conditions of a Nazarite's vow was that he abstain from the use of wine or any other part of the grape during the term of his vow." (Numbers 6:2-4) They told the prophets to keep quiet because they did not like the warnings they gave and nor the exhortations to duty that they proclaimed. Their sins were so numerous that they could not deny them.

In Amos 2:13 the King James Version says, "Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves." The English Standard and the American Standard Versions say, "Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down." This seems to be more in keeping with the thought of the text. God would bear down upon the nation of Israel with a heavy burden because of their disobedience. They would have no speed, strength nor might to deliver themselves. When the Assyrians invaded Israel they fell because God was no longer with them. The battle would be so strong against Israel that "he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day." Without God and His blessing the battle is certainly lost.