Amos 1:13-2:16
HAD the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of Manasseh been content to go over the Jordan with their brethren (Numbers 32; Joshua 13), they would not have been so exposed to attack. Joshua 22; 2 Kings 10:32, 33; 1 Chronicles 5:26, and verse 13 of Amos 1, tell what befell them because of their seeking, what seemed like natural advantage instead of acting on the word of God. The children of Ammon were their immediate neighbors on the east, and these to gain more territory for themselves, wantonly and brutally killed women of Gilead. The judgment of Ammon is accordingly pronounced.
Moab, as well as Ammon, is the subject of prophecy, and in each case there is promise of judgment on them. Isaiah 11:14; 15 and 16; 25:10-12; Jeremiah 9:25, 26; Jeremiah 48 and 49; Ezekiel 25, and Zephaniah 2:8-11 disclose the penalty for their guilt concerning Israel. The occasion spoken of in verse 1 of chapter 2 is evidently that recorded in 2 Kings 3:26, 27, when the eldest son of the king of Edom, and probably joint king of that country, was made a burnt offering by the king of Moab who had got possession of him in war.
And now (verse 4) we reach the solemn pronouncements of God. upon His own earthly people, which occupy the remainder of the prophecy of Amos. Judah comes first; the charge against the two tribes is despising the law of Jehovah and lying, which had caused them to err. Israel, the ten tribes, is accused of utter selfishness, covetousness, immorality, and idolatry.
God had destroyed the Amorites for them; powerful enemies they had been; He had indeed brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt; had graciously led them forty years in the wilderness, and given them the land for a possession. He had raised up prophets from among their sons, and Nazarites, separated to God, among their young men; but the prophets were commanded to not prophecy, and the Nazarites (who were never to touch wine) were given it to drink.
What then shall God do to a nation that professes His name, but is guilty more than the nations that know Him not? He will commence to deal with them by removing flight from the swift, strength from the strong, power from the mighty, courage from the brave. Chapter 3 introduces a more solemn word from Him.
ML 01/10/1937