Amos 1

Amos describes in this chapter many sins against Israel. The surrounding countries are condemned for how they have treated Israel, the northern kingdom of Israel.

The surrounding countries are:

1. Syria
2. Philistia
3. Tyre
4. Edom
5. Ammon

Syria "threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron" (3). Ammon "ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their borders" (13).

Philistia "deported an entire population to deliver it up to Edom" (6). Tyre "deliverd up an entire population to Edom" (9). Presumably this entire population is Israel. I wonder if Amos speaks of a past event or the future destruction of Israel, the future judgment of Israel.

Tyre and Edom both violate ties of kinship in destroying Israel. Tyre "did not remember the covenant of brotherhood" (9). Edom "pursued his brother with the sword" (11).

Perhaps this chapter is a vision of the future destruction of Israel at the hands of these surrounding nations. Even if they are instruments in the hands of God, to deliver His wrath upon Israel, still they will be punished.

Syria: "The people of Aram will go exiled to Kir" (5).

Philistia: "The remnant of the Philistines will perish" (8).

Tyre: "I will send fire upon the wall of Tyre, and it will consume her citadels" (10).

Edom: "I will send fire upon Teman, and it will consume the citadels of Bozrah" (12)

Ammon: "I will kindle a fire on the wall of Rabbah, and it will consume her citadels....Their king will go into exile, he and his princes together" (14-15).