Amos 3 - Introduction

Failing To Walk With God

Amos Three

The love and concern that God had for Israel made His judgment upon them unavoidable. His actions against Israel showed that He was deeply provoked by their sins. The redemption of Israel from Egypt should have lead to continual faithfulness on their part. Likewise our redemption by the death of Jesus on the cross should keep us faithful. Israel had great privileges. With great privileges came great responsibility. They would now face punishment because of their failures to honor God.

Many seem to have the matter of privilege entirely wrong. They think that with privilege comes mercy. God's view is that with privilege comes responsibility. God will not pass over the sins of His people. Amos said, "If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?" God wanted Israel to know that it was He that was bringing the punishment upon them. It was not just bad luck that the punishment came. It was the hand of the Lord in judgment against them..

God revealed to Amos the nature of the coming judgment and Amos, in turn, prophesied about what would come upon the nation of Israel. God stilled desired that the people would come to repentance. The people should not blame Amos concerning the message. "The Lord God has spoken!" God's prophet had simply spoken the message of the Lord and the people should fear. God invited foreign nations to come to o o Samaria, the capital city of Israel, to see the sins of Israel and to understand her punishment.

God said the land of Israel would be plundered by an adversary. About thirty years after this prophecy of Amos Israel was invaded and destroyed by Assyria. God destroyed idolatry at Bethel and throughout Israel. God's judgment would also extend to palaces built through oppression.