Amos2
New International Version
1This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom’s king,
2I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.
3I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him,” says the Lord.
4This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed,
5I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
6This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
7They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
8They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.
9“Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.
10I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites.
11“I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
13“Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.
15The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.
16Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Amos 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Judgments against Moab and Judah. (1–8). The ingratitude and ruin of Israel. (9–16).
vv1-8
The evil passions of the heart break out in various forms; but the Lord looks to our motives, as well as our conduct. Those that deal cruelly, shall be cruelly dealt with. Other nations were reckoned with for injuries done to men; Judah is reckoned with for dishonour done to God. Judah despised the law of the Lord; and he justly gave them up to strong delusion; nor was it any excuse for their sin, that they were the lies, the idols, after which their fathers walked. The worst abominations and most grievous oppressions have been committed by some of the professed worshippers of the Lord. Such conduct leads many to unbelief and vile idolatry.
vv9-16
We need often to be reminded of the mercies we have received; which add much to the evil of the sins we have committed. They had helps for their souls, which taught them how to make good use of their earthly enjoyments, and were therefore more valuable. Faithful ministers are great blessings to any people; but it is God that raises them up to be so. Sinners' own consciences will witness that he has not been wanting to them in the means of grace. They did what they could to lead believers aside. Satan and his agents are busy to corrupt the minds of young people who look heavenward; they overcome many by drawing them to the love of mirth and pleasure, and into drinking company. Multitudes of young men who bade fair as professors of religion, have erred through strong drink, and have been undone for ever. The Lord complains of sin, especially the sins of his professing people, as a burden to him. And though his long-suffering be tired, his power is not, and so the sinner will find to his cost. When men reject God's word, adding obstinacy to sin, and this becomes the general character of a people, they will be given up to misery, notwithstanding all their boasted power and resources. May we then humble ourselves before the Lord, for all our ingratitude and unfaithfulness.
Key Words
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁלוֹשׁ: three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פֶּשַׁע: a revolt (national, moral or religious)
מוֹאָב: Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants
אַרְבַּע: four
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שָׂרַף: to be (causatively, set) on fire
שִׂיד: lime (as boiling when slacked)
עֶצֶם: a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
Cross References
Amos 2Directly correlates with laying on clothes laid to pledge, violating the Exodus law to return them.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the divine institution and vows of the Nazarites raised up among their young men.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels 'their lies' as the false, inherited idols after which their fathers walked.
Supported by JFB
Repeats the unique indictment of selling the needy for a pair of shoes/sandals.
Supported by JFB
Highlights the extreme depravity of a man and his father going in to the same maid.
Supported by JFB
Exposes the sin of giving Nazarites wine, directly violating their strict vow of abstinence.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides historical background to the conflict between Moab, Judah, and Edom.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the great stature and height of the Amorites whom God destroyed before Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Details God leading them forty years in the wilderness, contrasting His grace with their rebellion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the rebellious command to the prophets to 'prophesy not'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels God being 'pressed' or 'wearied' under the burden of His people's sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Employs the same metaphor of total destruction: dried up from roots below to branches/fruit above.
Supported by John Calvin
Echoes the warning that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms that no king or mighty man is saved by physical strength or military host.
Supported by Matthew Poole