Amos 1:13-2:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holds the scepter from Ashkelon, and I will turn my hand against Ekron… I. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REPENTANCE WHICH ALL POSSESS. The punishment of the six heathen nations, as of Judah and Israel, opens with a picture of the forbearance of God which had preceded this hour of wrath. "For three transgressions of —, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof." The cup of iniquity was not full till the fourth transgression. God's dealing with individuals is such — "Who hath hardened himself against Him, and hath prospered?" (Proverbs 29:1.) II. PERSISTENCE IN COURSE OF SIN HAS ONLY ONE END. "I will not turn away the punishment thereof." Men may put far away the evil day, but all history, all prophecy, all strivings of conscience point to the certainty of ruin. III. THE CAUSES OF THE DIVINE INDIGNATION VARY ACCORDING TO HUMAN LIGHT. In the fate of Tyrus, for instance (Amos 1:9), we see that a brotherly covenant (the league of Hiram with David and Solomon) formed no barrier to the grasping spirit of the mercantile nation. Edom (Amos 1:11) "did pursue his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity." The heathen nations were to suffer because they had offended against those eternal principles of compassion and of truth which are written on the hearts of all men alike. Judah (Amos 2:4) and Israel (vers. 6-8) were judged by a higher standard, for the light had been greater. "In Judah is God known; His name is great in Israel." IV. THE VINDICATION OF GOD'S WAYS TO MEN WHICH THESE PICTURES OF NATIONAL SIN FURNISH IS COMPLETE. The preservation of truth and purity is of far higher moment than the fate of one nation, for human society can only be founded on the eternal principles of right and wrong. The detail of Israel's sin makes us shrink back with horror. Their law gave no power to sell an insolvent debtor, but they were ready to sell the righteous man (one in trouble through no fault of his own) for silver; and the poor (whom there was none to succour), to provide for themselves a pair of luxurious sandals. They panted after the very dust which the poor spread on their head in token of mourning, and by the vilest sin they profaned the name of God which was called on them as His people. Even their altars witnessed their extortions (ver. 8; Deuteronomy 24:12, 13) and banquetings. Application — The prophet would have the people clearly understand the equity of the judgments which he foretold. Men can be impartial in estimating the sin of others (David and Nathan's parable). To study God's dealings with others will often open our eyes to our own future. (J. Telford, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD. |
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