8. God hates the arrogance of Israel and the citadels of Israel, but perhaps not Israel itself (?)
So Israel will be destroyed: God will hand the city over to the enemies of Israel and they will possess it. (Is that the city of Samaria?)
9. Many in Israel will die, all 10 in a house.
10. The survivors will carry the dead bodies out from the houses, in which entire families will be destroyed.
I am not sure what the response of the survivor means: "The name of the LORD is not to be mentioned." Maybe they are angry at the LORD for the destruction He has brought upon them.
11. The destruction will be complete: the great house will be "smashed to pieces and the small house to fragments"
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Amos 6, 4-7
4. Here Amos begins a description of people living in comfort and luxury.
They are wealthy enough to recline on beds of ivory. They must have a lot of leisure, because they "sprawl on their couches."
They are wealthy enought to eat lots of meat, "lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall."
5. They also have the leisure to play and compose music.
6. They drink wine and anoint themselves with expensive oils. (They drink their wine from sacrificial bowls. Is that sacrilegious?)
They are so busy with their pleasures, and so unconcerned about the things of God, that they do not realize that Israel is under God's wrath and condemnation, "they have bit grieved over the ruin of Joseph."
7. These very people will go into exile when Israel falls and all of of this feasting and banqueting will come to an end.
(Am I mistaken, or does Amos speak of exile more than before? At first, I got the impression that everyone would be killed, but now it sounds as if they will go into exile.)
They are wealthy enough to recline on beds of ivory. They must have a lot of leisure, because they "sprawl on their couches."
They are wealthy enought to eat lots of meat, "lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall."
5. They also have the leisure to play and compose music.
6. They drink wine and anoint themselves with expensive oils. (They drink their wine from sacrificial bowls. Is that sacrilegious?)
They are so busy with their pleasures, and so unconcerned about the things of God, that they do not realize that Israel is under God's wrath and condemnation, "they have bit grieved over the ruin of Joseph."
7. These very people will go into exile when Israel falls and all of of this feasting and banqueting will come to an end.
(Am I mistaken, or does Amos speak of exile more than before? At first, I got the impression that everyone would be killed, but now it sounds as if they will go into exile.)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Amos 6, 1-3
1. Amos prophecies the doom of the "distinguished men" of Israel and Judah, which he describes as "the foremost of nations."
He describes these men as being at ease and feeling secure. They are the men "to whom the house of Israel comes." But in spite of their comfort and their riches and their positions of authority, they are not pleasing to God and God will judge them.
2. Amos tells the distinguished men (or Israel and Judah as a whole) to consider the cities of Calneh, Hamath, and Gath.
It sounds as if he wants to get them to see that those cities are no better than Jerusalem and Samaria and their territory is no greater than theirs. I'm not sure why.
3. It sounds like Amos is saying that the people of Israel (and Judah?) are bringing the "day of calamity" and the "seat of violence" upon themselves by their bad behavior.
But it's hard to understand, because he says: "Do you put off the day of calamity?" and "Would you bring near the seat of violence?"
He describes these men as being at ease and feeling secure. They are the men "to whom the house of Israel comes." But in spite of their comfort and their riches and their positions of authority, they are not pleasing to God and God will judge them.
2. Amos tells the distinguished men (or Israel and Judah as a whole) to consider the cities of Calneh, Hamath, and Gath.
It sounds as if he wants to get them to see that those cities are no better than Jerusalem and Samaria and their territory is no greater than theirs. I'm not sure why.
3. It sounds like Amos is saying that the people of Israel (and Judah?) are bringing the "day of calamity" and the "seat of violence" upon themselves by their bad behavior.
But it's hard to understand, because he says: "Do you put off the day of calamity?" and "Would you bring near the seat of violence?"
Amos 5, 25-27
25. Perhaps this verse is a reference to the false worship that takes place in Israel, outside of Jerusalem.
Amos asks Israel if, when they offered sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness, they offered those sacrifices to the LORD. Probably they assumed that they did.
26. But the LORD tells them that the people of Israel at that time were not offering sacrifices to the LORD at all, but to other gods: Sikkuth and Kiyyun. Even back then, the people of Israel turned away from the one true God and worshiped other gods.
27. For this false worship, the LORD will send Israel into exile, beyond Damascus. Many will die and many will be scattered.
Amos asks Israel if, when they offered sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness, they offered those sacrifices to the LORD. Probably they assumed that they did.
26. But the LORD tells them that the people of Israel at that time were not offering sacrifices to the LORD at all, but to other gods: Sikkuth and Kiyyun. Even back then, the people of Israel turned away from the one true God and worshiped other gods.
27. For this false worship, the LORD will send Israel into exile, beyond Damascus. Many will die and many will be scattered.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Amos 5, 21-24
21. The people think that they are worshipping the LORD, but they are not. They celebrate festivals and hold solemn assemblies, but God is not impressed. The defy God in the way they live and also defy Him by refusing to worship Him in Jerusalem.
22. Again, they offer sacrifices, but they are not to the LORD. God does not accept their burnt offerings and grain offerings.
23. They worship with music, with songs and harps, but the LORD does not want to hear it.
24. There is actually no mention of failing to worship the LORD in Jerusalem here and there may not be anywhere in Amos. That might not be their primary sin, in this prophecy.
The primary sin is the lack of justice and righteousness that the LORD finds in Israel. They do not treat each other justly; the judges and rulers do not punish wrongdoers who violate the rights of the poor; and they do not obey God in their own personal lives.
Amos calls on them to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream."
22. Again, they offer sacrifices, but they are not to the LORD. God does not accept their burnt offerings and grain offerings.
23. They worship with music, with songs and harps, but the LORD does not want to hear it.
24. There is actually no mention of failing to worship the LORD in Jerusalem here and there may not be anywhere in Amos. That might not be their primary sin, in this prophecy.
The primary sin is the lack of justice and righteousness that the LORD finds in Israel. They do not treat each other justly; the judges and rulers do not punish wrongdoers who violate the rights of the poor; and they do not obey God in their own personal lives.
Amos calls on them to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream."
Amos 5, 18-20
18. Some in Israel appear to be looking forward to "the day of the LORD." Perhaps they think that God will rescue them or reward them.
But Amos tells them that the day of the LORD will be a day of judgment and doom for Israel, a day of "darkness and not light."
19. There will be no escape for Israel: if they escape from a lion, they will be mauled by a bear. If they make it back to the safety of their home, a snake will bite them. No matter what happens, no matter what they do, they will be destroyed.
20. Amos repeats that when the LORD makes His presence felt in Israel, it will be do to them harm and not to do them good. (What the LORD says to Judah by Jeremiah, he does not say to Israel. There will be no hope or future for Israel.)
But Amos tells them that the day of the LORD will be a day of judgment and doom for Israel, a day of "darkness and not light."
19. There will be no escape for Israel: if they escape from a lion, they will be mauled by a bear. If they make it back to the safety of their home, a snake will bite them. No matter what happens, no matter what they do, they will be destroyed.
20. Amos repeats that when the LORD makes His presence felt in Israel, it will be do to them harm and not to do them good. (What the LORD says to Judah by Jeremiah, he does not say to Israel. There will be no hope or future for Israel.)
Friday, June 20, 2008
Amos 5, 16-17
16-17. A great calamity awaits Israel and all of the inhabitants will suffer grief.
Those in the plazas and the streets; the farmers and the professional mourners; in all the vineyards.
The LORD will judge Israel, will bring calamity upon it, "shall pass throught the midst" of it.
Those in the plazas and the streets; the farmers and the professional mourners; in all the vineyards.
The LORD will judge Israel, will bring calamity upon it, "shall pass throught the midst" of it.
Amos 5, 14-15
14. Apparently the people of Israel claim that the LORD is with them, but Amos replies that this will only be the case if they "seek good and not evil."
15. At this point, there is no hope for Israel--it is doomed. But it is possible that the LORD may decide to be "gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
This will only happen if those in power "establish justice in the gate." They need to protect the rights of all, including the poor. No more taking bribes from the wealthy in order to deprive the poor of the protection of their basic rights.
Those in power must hate evil and love good and then the LORD might spare a remnant.
15. At this point, there is no hope for Israel--it is doomed. But it is possible that the LORD may decide to be "gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
This will only happen if those in power "establish justice in the gate." They need to protect the rights of all, including the poor. No more taking bribes from the wealthy in order to deprive the poor of the protection of their basic rights.
Those in power must hate evil and love good and then the LORD might spare a remnant.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Amos 5, 10-13
10. Wicked people hate those who speak out concerning right and wrong, who speak out against those who do wrong, the man who "reproves" and "speaks with integrity."
11. Amos identifies one of the sins that the people of Israel commit: they impose heavy rent on the poor and take their grain from them.
God will punish them by depriving them of their fine homes. Israel will be defeated and conquered and the evil-doers will not enjoy the wine made from their vineyards.
I am not sure what the poor are renting from the wealthy--a place to live? the land on which they labor? Probably the latter and that's what Amos means by the tribute of grain. Perhaps the poor need to rent the land from the wealthy and even give them a share of the produce.
In any case, it sounds like the wealthy are taking advantage of the situation and charging a higher rent than is right and demanding more of the produce than is right.
12. It sounds like those who are in power are taking bribes from the wealthy and not defending the rights of the poor people as they should.
Perhaps that's what it means to "distress the righteous" and "to turn aside the poor in the gate"--to rule against them, not to give them justice when they have been cheated or taken advantage of.
13. Amos says that in times like this, it is better to say nothing. If people are doing wrong and the authorities are doing nothing about it, but are actually helping along and making a profit from the wrongdoing, then there is nothing that an honest man can say that would make a difference.
As Amos says, it is "an evil time."
11. Amos identifies one of the sins that the people of Israel commit: they impose heavy rent on the poor and take their grain from them.
God will punish them by depriving them of their fine homes. Israel will be defeated and conquered and the evil-doers will not enjoy the wine made from their vineyards.
I am not sure what the poor are renting from the wealthy--a place to live? the land on which they labor? Probably the latter and that's what Amos means by the tribute of grain. Perhaps the poor need to rent the land from the wealthy and even give them a share of the produce.
In any case, it sounds like the wealthy are taking advantage of the situation and charging a higher rent than is right and demanding more of the produce than is right.
12. It sounds like those who are in power are taking bribes from the wealthy and not defending the rights of the poor people as they should.
Perhaps that's what it means to "distress the righteous" and "to turn aside the poor in the gate"--to rule against them, not to give them justice when they have been cheated or taken advantage of.
13. Amos says that in times like this, it is better to say nothing. If people are doing wrong and the authorities are doing nothing about it, but are actually helping along and making a profit from the wrongdoing, then there is nothing that an honest man can say that would make a difference.
As Amos says, it is "an evil time."
Amos 5, 8-19
8. Amos descibes the LORD as
a. the maker of the stars in the sky--"the Pleiades and Orion"
b. the cause of day and night--"He who...changes deep darkness into morning, who also darkens day into night"
c. the maker of the sea (?)--"Who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth."
9. Amos describes the LORD as one who brings down the proud: "He who flashes forth with destruction upon the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress."
All human beings have reason to be humble and God will make sure that all people are humbled. This is the only way that anyone will turn to Him.
a. the maker of the stars in the sky--"the Pleiades and Orion"
b. the cause of day and night--"He who...changes deep darkness into morning, who also darkens day into night"
c. the maker of the sea (?)--"Who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth."
9. Amos describes the LORD as one who brings down the proud: "He who flashes forth with destruction upon the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress."
All human beings have reason to be humble and God will make sure that all people are humbled. This is the only way that anyone will turn to Him.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Amos 5, 4-7
4. God tells Israel that if they seek Him, they will not be destroyed, will not be subject to judgment.
5. God tells the people that there is no other way to escape His judgment. If they try to escape by fleeing to the cities of Bethel, Gilgal, or Beersheba, it will not do them any good, because God's judgment will come upon them there.
"Gilgal will certainly go into captivity, and Bethel will come to trouble."
6. God calls upon Israel again to "seek the LORD that you may live." If they do not, then the LORD will "break forth like a fire...and it [will] consume with none to quench it."
God will destroy Israel and, in particular, Bethel (a site of false worship).
7. God's judgment will come upon Israel because there is no justice in Israel and because the people themselves are unrighteous. I suppose this means that the strong harm the weak and the legal system of Israel fails to do anything about it.
The people "turn justice into wormwood [i.e. something bitter] and cast righteousness down to the earth."
5. God tells the people that there is no other way to escape His judgment. If they try to escape by fleeing to the cities of Bethel, Gilgal, or Beersheba, it will not do them any good, because God's judgment will come upon them there.
"Gilgal will certainly go into captivity, and Bethel will come to trouble."
6. God calls upon Israel again to "seek the LORD that you may live." If they do not, then the LORD will "break forth like a fire...and it [will] consume with none to quench it."
God will destroy Israel and, in particular, Bethel (a site of false worship).
7. God's judgment will come upon Israel because there is no justice in Israel and because the people themselves are unrighteous. I suppose this means that the strong harm the weak and the legal system of Israel fails to do anything about it.
The people "turn justice into wormwood [i.e. something bitter] and cast righteousness down to the earth."
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Amos 5, 1-3
1. Amos says that his words are a dirge for Israel, which means that Israel is as good as dead.
2. Israel will be destroyed and will not be restored, "will not rise again." (Unlike Judah, which will be restored, which will return from captivity.)
No one will raise up Israel, which means that God will abandon Israel, or already has.
Amos describes Israel as a virgin. This seems to mean that Israel has no husband, that God is no longer Israel's God, and so "there is none to raise her up."
3. Israel will be conquered in battle and only one in ten will survive. There will only be a small remnant (and even that small remnant will be scattered).
2. Israel will be destroyed and will not be restored, "will not rise again." (Unlike Judah, which will be restored, which will return from captivity.)
No one will raise up Israel, which means that God will abandon Israel, or already has.
Amos describes Israel as a virgin. This seems to mean that Israel has no husband, that God is no longer Israel's God, and so "there is none to raise her up."
3. Israel will be conquered in battle and only one in ten will survive. There will only be a small remnant (and even that small remnant will be scattered).
Monday, June 2, 2008
Amos 4, 6-13
6. God brought famine upon Israel for their sin of worshiping another god, but they still did not repent:
"I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places, yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
7. God also brought drought upon Israel, or some cities of Israel, in order to provide them with an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him:
"I withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest."
This put their food supply in jeopardy.
8. Not only was there the possibility of ruined crops, but there wasn't even enough water to drink.
"Two or three cities would stagger to another city to drink water, but would not be satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
Notice that the purpose of these hardships is to get their attention, so that they would stop living as they have been and try something new--which is to follow God in a truer way.
9. In addition to drought, God also sent plagues of scorching wind, mildew, and caterpillars upon the land of Israel--again, with the purpose of bring them to repentance.
"I smote you with scorching wind and mildew; and the caterpillar was devouring your many gardens and vineyards, fig trees and olive trees; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD."
Among other things, the caterpillars also threatened the food supply.
10. God also brought military defeat upon Israel, in which many of their men died.
"I slew your young men by the sword along with your captured horses, and I made the stench of your camp rise up in your nostrils; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
11. This military defeat--or some other event--was as great a calamity and judgment on Israel as the fire and brimstone that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
The destruction was nearly total, as a "firebrand snatched from a blaze." Even so, the people of Israel did not repent: "Yet you have not returned to Me, declares the LORD."
12. Israel has proved absolutely stubborn and unwilling to repent and, therefore, God will stop bringing chastisements upon Israel and will bring instead a final judgment:
"Therefore, thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I shall do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel."
13. The God whom Israel defies and treats with such disrespect is the only true God, the LORD.
This God is the God who created Heaven and Earth and who continues to rule over nature: "He who forms mountains and creates the wind...who makes dawn into darkness"
This is also a God who communicates with human beings: "He who declares to man what are His thoughts."
He also "treads on the high places of the earth." I suppose that means that He can get high up to places that we cannot reach, because He is greater than we are.
All the armies of Heaven obey Him. "The LORD God of hosts is His name."
"I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places, yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
7. God also brought drought upon Israel, or some cities of Israel, in order to provide them with an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him:
"I withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest."
This put their food supply in jeopardy.
8. Not only was there the possibility of ruined crops, but there wasn't even enough water to drink.
"Two or three cities would stagger to another city to drink water, but would not be satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
Notice that the purpose of these hardships is to get their attention, so that they would stop living as they have been and try something new--which is to follow God in a truer way.
9. In addition to drought, God also sent plagues of scorching wind, mildew, and caterpillars upon the land of Israel--again, with the purpose of bring them to repentance.
"I smote you with scorching wind and mildew; and the caterpillar was devouring your many gardens and vineyards, fig trees and olive trees; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD."
Among other things, the caterpillars also threatened the food supply.
10. God also brought military defeat upon Israel, in which many of their men died.
"I slew your young men by the sword along with your captured horses, and I made the stench of your camp rise up in your nostrils; yet you have not returned to Me," declares the LORD.
11. This military defeat--or some other event--was as great a calamity and judgment on Israel as the fire and brimstone that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
The destruction was nearly total, as a "firebrand snatched from a blaze." Even so, the people of Israel did not repent: "Yet you have not returned to Me, declares the LORD."
12. Israel has proved absolutely stubborn and unwilling to repent and, therefore, God will stop bringing chastisements upon Israel and will bring instead a final judgment:
"Therefore, thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I shall do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel."
13. The God whom Israel defies and treats with such disrespect is the only true God, the LORD.
This God is the God who created Heaven and Earth and who continues to rule over nature: "He who forms mountains and creates the wind...who makes dawn into darkness"
This is also a God who communicates with human beings: "He who declares to man what are His thoughts."
He also "treads on the high places of the earth." I suppose that means that He can get high up to places that we cannot reach, because He is greater than we are.
All the armies of Heaven obey Him. "The LORD God of hosts is His name."
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Amos 4, 4-5
4. Bethel was a place of false worship in the northern kingdom and Gilgal must have been another. The LORD condemns the people of Israel for worshiping in these places.
The people of Israel perform religious rituals faithfully: "Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days."
5. They also offer thank offerings and freewill offerings (although they use leavened bread in their thank offerings, which I think was forbidden).
The problem is that they were not worshiping the LORD, but some other God. If they wanted to worship the LORD, they would have worshiped Him in Jerusalem and in the way that He told them to do.
The people of Israel perform religious rituals faithfully: "Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days."
5. They also offer thank offerings and freewill offerings (although they use leavened bread in their thank offerings, which I think was forbidden).
The problem is that they were not worshiping the LORD, but some other God. If they wanted to worship the LORD, they would have worshiped Him in Jerusalem and in the way that He told them to do.
House of Joseph
Someone mentioned this morning that Jacob loved Rachel more than any of his other wives and loved the children he had by Rachel better than any of his other children, but nevertheless God insisted that His promised would be fulfilled through the descendants of Judah.
This reminded me of how Amos refers to Israel (that is, the northern kingdom) as the house of Joseph.
"Seek the LORD that you may live...O house of Joseph" (4:6).
"Perhaps the LORD God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph" (4:15).
So the division of Israel into two kingdoms and the destruction of the northern kingdom and the survival of the souther kingdom of Judah is a working out of God's choice to bless the world through the sons of Judah and not the house of Joseph.
This reminded me of how Amos refers to Israel (that is, the northern kingdom) as the house of Joseph.
"Seek the LORD that you may live...O house of Joseph" (4:6).
"Perhaps the LORD God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph" (4:15).
So the division of Israel into two kingdoms and the destruction of the northern kingdom and the survival of the souther kingdom of Judah is a working out of God's choice to bless the world through the sons of Judah and not the house of Joseph.
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