Amos heard the voice of God like the roar of a lion, which roars to forewarn nations of the plight of living in continuous disobedience and the consequences that follow suit. The Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth spoke to the nations about their inhumane practices, spiritual idolatry, shall repay each nation according to its works, there is no partiality with God. Through the voice of His prophet the Lord assures His people He will be a shelter and strength to them, so that all nations will know that He is the Lord of Host who dwells amongst His people and rules over the nations on the earth.
- Nation: Syria: Damascus
- Transgression: Threshed Gilead Implements of Iron
- Judicial decision: I will send fire into the house of Hazel, which will devoured Ben-hadad.I will break the gate bar of Damascus and cut off the inhabitant from valley of Aven. And the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Syria shall go to captive to Kir, says the Lord.
The counsel of the Lord against Damascus was three transgressions and namely four. The king of Israel put their trust in Syria, Damascus military power and prowess to defend them as oppose to trusting in the king of glory, the Lord of Host, to be their strong towel, mighty fortress, shield and refuge for deliverance. Israel kings coveted against each other desiring military prowess and absolute control, relatively, the king of Damascus in his salvage conquest order vicious inhumane practices against Israel; this provoked the Lord to anger. Our sovereign God, who is just and true in all His ways, watches over the nations and complexities human relations to defend and deliver the afflicted from the hands of the wicked. ”For dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations”
King of Baasha of Israel had a treaty with king Ben-hadad of Syria who dwells in Damascus, utilizing his military prowess to build a fortress about Ramah to control movement within and out of Judah.
- King Asa of Judah, took silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord, king’s house and leverage them in a treaty with Ben-hadad who sent his military forces to attack Israel, and when King Baasha of Israel saw the attack he destroyed his treaty with Ben-hadad and withdraw from Judah.
- Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him with horses and chariots and he went up and besieged Samaria, in the days of Ahab and plunder it- he stole Israel silver, gold, wives, and whatever pleases his eyes. Ben-hadad deceitfully negotiated with king Ahab of Israel, who spared his life when the Lord intended to utterly destroyed him (1 king 20)
- King Baasha of Damascus sent his servant Hazael to Elisha, the man of God to inquire if he will recover from his disease. Elisha told Hazael the Lord would make him king over Syria, however, he would executed evil against Israel in such a gruesome way, that made him feel like a dog. The next day, Hazael killed King Ben-Hadad of Syria and reigned in his place. (2 King 8:7:15)
- Call to Repentance: Resist evil cling to good. Repent believe the gospel, turn from the power of Satan to God that you may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ.
- Jesus call Saul to repentance, when Saul journeyed to Damascus and told him “it is hard to kick against goads”, implying Saul was persecuting Him when he persecuted His disciples. (Acts 9:1-5)
- Nation: Gaza: Philistine
- Transgression: took captive the whole captivity and delivered them to Edom
- Judicial decision: Fire shall be sent on walls of Gaza to devour its palaces. The inhabitant of Ashdod shall be cut off and the leader of Ashkelon. The hand of the Lord shall be upon Ekron and the remnant of Philistine shall perish.
The counsel of the Lord against Damascus was three transgressions and namely four. Gaza a strong city, one of the oldest cities in history, which border Israel and Egypt, captured people and sold them as product and service to Edom for financial gain. The act of exploiting people to rule over them with rigor was Philistine’s pride – a raider’s quest. The practices of invading people, carrying away all their possession, including their families, anger the Lord of Host, who liberates all men and protect the dignity of His people. (Zephaniah 2:1-7, Ezekiel 25:16).
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere watching over both good and evil including oppressors– he who avenge himself against the needy reproaches its maker. Oh man what does the Lord expects from you: “learn to do good, seek justice, defend the cause of the orphans and fight for the rights of the widows.” Truly, God does not show partiality; in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him (Acts 10:34-35)
- Call to repentance: Repent and turn from sin to God. Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead and you will be save. The Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty-proclaiming freedom to captive and liberty to the oppressed.
- Jesus said: Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophet. Learn from me, I am gentle and humble at heart.
- Nation: Tyre: Phoenicians
- Transgression: took captive the whole captivity and delivered them to Edom
- Judicial decision: I will send fire upon the wall of Tyre and devour its palaces.
The counsel of the Lord against Tyre was three transgressions and namely four. Tyre, situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coast lands, perfect in beauty, with great wisdom in trade, gain riches from trading, and formed a confederacy with the Ishmaelites and Assyria against Israel.
Tyre set his heart as the heart of a god, broke a “covenant of brotherhood” took the sheep of God’s pastures and traffic them as labor slaves to Edom. Tyre, covetousness couple with his breach of the brotherhood covenant established by David and Solomon, combine with Edom refusal to defend Israel in time of invasion and Edom cruelty to Israel pronounce the verdict.
- Call to Repentance: Repent, seek the Lord and live. Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled with the yoke of slavery.”
- Jesus said: This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this; lay down one life for his friends. Whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and shut down his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? Let us love not in words or tongue but in deed and truth.
- Nation: Edom: South-west Jordan
- Transgression: Pursued his brother with a sword, and cast off all pity; his anger tore perpetually and he kept forever.
- Judicial decision: I will send fire upon the wall of Taman and devour its palaces of Bozrah.
The counsel of the Lord against Edom was three transgressions and namely four. The Lord God commanded Israel en-route to Jordan to pass through Edom territory, but the king of Edom will not heed, instead came out with many men and strong hand against Israel despite the King awareness of his brother’s (Israel) affliction in Egypt. Edom with ancient hatred against Israel shed the blood of the children of Israel with the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity had ended. In the days of their captivity, Edom also raided Israel, gazed at their captivity and rejoiced in their destruction. The Lord shall reward Edom according to his anger, the pride of his heart, and fierceness, which he show Israel, and blasphemed against the Lord. “Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.”
- Call to repentance: In you anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ in God forgave you.
- Jesus said: Take heed to yourselves, if your brother sins against you, rebuke him and if he repents forgive him. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Nation: Ammon:East of Jordan
- Transgression: Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead. That they might enlarge their territory.
- Judicial decision: But I kindle fire in the wall of Rabbah, It shall devour its palace. Amid shouting in the day of battle, and a tempest in the day of the whirlwind. The king shall go into captivity and his princes together say the Lord.
The Man of God Elijah had anointed Hazael to be king over Syria in the days of Ahab. When King Baasha of Damascus was ill, he sent Hazael to inquire from Elisha the prophet if he would recover from his illness, however, Elisha in tears told Hazael he would be king over Syria but Hazael would commit atrocities against Israel. Hazael appalled by Elisha’s prophecy, yet influence by greed, on the next day took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it over King Bassha’s face, the king died and Hazel reigned in his place. (2 king 8:15)
The Lord delivered the children of Israel into the hands of king Hazael because they did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam and Jehoash king of Judah gave all the sacred things and gold found in the house of the Lord to the king Hazael as token for peace treaty. Territorial expansions during times of war are neither crime, nor transgression against a Holy God but customs of war. However, the Syrian raided Israel in military conquest to expand territories and their King, Hazael oppressed Israel; these acts of violence- which included opening of women’s womb with little ones- were not only crime in the eyes of men but transgression against the Lord whose law stipulates: “You shall not murder”(Exodus 20:13)
- Call to repentance: If we confess our your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Strive to live at peace with all men, be content with what you have and do not steal, kill or destroy.
- Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”