Introduction

The sins of the nations… (4 things)

• 1^st – The prophet Amos… vs. 1-2
  • 1^st – God choose Amos… vs. 1
    • Amos – the herdsman – from the valley of Tekoah…
      • Tekoah is a little valley in Judah / south of Bethlehem / heading towards the Dead Sea…
      • Amos worked there as a shepherd – chapter 7 says he was also a fruit picker (figs)…
      • So he was not a prophet / or the son of a prophet / nor was he well educated…
      • He was just a common ordinary person who watched sheep and picked fruit
    • Jeroboam II on the other hand was one of the most successful kings of Israel…
      • During his time as the king Israel was very prosperous from a material standpoint….
      • They were very rich in the material things – but they were very poor in spiritual things…
      • And God burdened Amos to go and awaken them spiritually to God!
      • So suddenly this cowboy / fruit picker showed up in Bethel telling the people to repent!
      • The comparison would be a migrant worker heading to Washington D.C.
      • Coming before the congress to declare judgment on the immorality of our nation!
        
    • God used Amos – because He does not pick many wise / mighty / or noble – I Corinthians 1:26
      • There is a common misconception that God only uses the ‘elite’…
      • That is the wisdom of men – a worldly idea that has crept into the church…
      • You do not see any Bible colleges or seminaries in the Bible – you just see sinners!
    • God used Amos – because he was available – and willing to be used by God…
      • God is not looking for the most qualified people – He is just looking for the available…
      • I fear too often when God calls – we would rather pretend likes its a wrong number…
      • We assume there is no way God would want to / or for that matter be able to – use us…
      • But the simple truth is God puts us where He wants us – and He wants to use us…
      • The only qualification for being used by God – be ready to answer the call – ‘Here I am!’
      • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send… I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’”
  • 2^nd – God sent Amos in power… vs. 2
    • The Lord roars out of Zion – his voice comes from Jerusalem…
      • The result was the pastures mourned / and the rich slopes of Mt. Carmel withered!
      • A picture of a Lion stalking its prey – whose roar strikes fear in the hearts of the hearers…
      • Amos had been sent out of Judah with authority to declare judgment on Israel…
      • And Israel had good reason to fear – not because of a shepherd…
      • But because that shepherd was speaking in the power and authority of God!
    • It is important to remember the power that sends us…
      • Many times we are to shy to stand up for Jesus – intimidated by the world…
      • Or we fret about what we are going to say – afraid we do not have the right words…
      • But we do not go in our strength – we roar with the power of God…
      • We just need to open our mouths – God will speak through us!
      • Matthew 10:19-20 – “Do not worry about what to say… it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you!”

• 2^nd – The content of the judgments… 
  • 1^st – Amos will declare the judgment of God upon 7 nations…
    • Each judgment will open with ‘Thus says the Lord’ – because it was God who judges!
    • Amos was not the one who was judging Israel – he was just warning them…
    • Because if they did not repent – God would be the one to judge them!
    • Most Christians today have a hard time with the idea we are called to warn others…
    • We tend to misunderstand Luke 6:37 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
    • It has even become a common quip in our culture ‘do not judge me…’
    • While it is true we as believers cannot judge the heart / motivations of another…
    • That does not mean we are not able to judge the fruit that comes from their lives!
    • In fact Jesus would go on to say in – Luke 6:37 – “Every tree is known by its fruit.”
    • Because it is better to warn people about obvious sin – confront them…
    • Than to one day let them stand before God and face His judgment!
  • 2^nd – Each judgment will contain the phrase – ‘for 3 transgressions – and for 4’…
    • The phrase is a Hebrew idiom meant to express the certainty of the outcome…
    • Proverbs 30:21 – “There are 3 things that make the earth tremble -no 4 it cannot endure.”
    • There was no question that God would judge each of these nations for their sins!
    • The phrase can also carry the idea of continued rebellion of a nation…
    • In other words if they did not sin just once or twice – they kept on sinning!
    • The grace of God is a phenomenal thing – there is nothing that God cannot forgive…
    • But those who practice a continual lifestyle of unrepentant sin – will be judged!
    • Galatians 5:21 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
• 3^rd – The seven nations… 
  • 1^st – The Judgment of Syria… vs. 3-5
    • Damascus – the capitol of Syria (Aram) – would be judged because of what they did to Gilead…
      • Gilead – on the east side of the Jordan – had been conquered by Syria – I Kings 22:3
      • Therefore God would send fire onto the house of Hazael – the palaces of Ben-Hadad…
      • The bar of Damascus would be broken – speaking of the gates of the city…
      • Syria would loose control of the valley of Aven / Beth Eden (eastern empire)…
      • And they would be taken captive to Kir – conquered by Assyria – II Kings 16:9
    • In II Kings 8:8-15 – Ben Hadad – then the current king of Syria – lay sick in bed…
      • The king sent his servant Hazael to ask Elisha the prophet if he would recover…
      • Elisha told Hazael to go and tell the King that he would recover from his sickness…
      • But then he told Hazael the Lord had shown him the king would actually die…
      • Although the King would recover from his sickness – Hazael would assassinate him!
    • Then Elisha said this he looked intently at Hazael – and began to weep …
      • The Lord had shown Elisha the horrible things Hazael would do as King…
      • How he would burn the cities of Israel / kill all of the young men…
      • He would dash the children on stones / rip open the pregnant women!
      • Hazael asked how a ‘dog’ like him – could ever do such ‘amazing’ (gadol) things!
    • Hazael went back and delivered the message of Elisha…
      • But the next day he took a blanket soaked in water – and smothered the king…
      • He then replaced the king and became the next leader of Syria!
      • We might look at men like Hazael – whom God allowed to lead Syria…
      • And be confused – why would God ever allow such a wicked man like that to rule…
      • Yet God used him to punish a rebellious people – drive Israel to repentance!
      • But make no mistake – that did not mean Hazael got off free – his judgment was certain!
  • 2^nd – The Judgment of the Philistines… vs. 6-8
    • Gaza – the capitol of the Philistines – would be judged…
    • Gaza was the chief among 5 cities – Gaza / Ekron / Ashdod / Ashkelon / Gath (not mentioned)
    • They would be judged because they sold the people of Judah as slaves to Edom…
    • Perhaps during the rebellious reign of king Jehoram – II Chronicles 21:16
    • In response God would devour their palaces – and their remnant would perish!
    • When was the last time you met a Philistine – there are none – God kept His word!
    • Interesting side note – the name Palestinian comes from the name Philistine…
    • When Rome destroyed Jerusalem for a 2^nd time in 132 A.D. – renamed Judea Palestine!
  • 3^rd – The Judgment of Tyre… vs. 9-10
    • Tyre – the capitol of the Phoenicians – would be judged…
      • Because they also delivered up the people of Judah as captives to Edom…
      • They did not remember the covenant of brotherhood they had with Judah…
      • King Hiram of Tyre was a good friend of David and Solomon – II Kings 5:2-6
    • Because Tyre forgot their promise for Judah – God would devour them…
      • Literally fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to the city for 13 years and destroyed it…
      • In response the inhabitants of Tyre rebuilt their city on an Island – thought they were safe…
      • Alexander the great came – threw the ruins of the first city into the ocean – made a bridge…
      • Burnt the new city to the ground – it was never rebuilt – barren rock for fishnets!
      • Ezekiel 24:16 – “I will make you like the top of a rock; you shall be a place for spreading nets, and you shall never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken.”
        
  • 4^th – The Judgment of Edom… vs. 11-12
    • Edom – the descendants of Esau – would be judged…
      • Because they pursued Israel – their own brother – with a sword!
      • They cast of pity – and instead let anger consume them – they lived in wrath…
      • They held a grudge that went all the way back to Jacob and Esau – birthright / blessing!
    • The result was fire would come down on the cities of Teman / Bozrah – and destroy them!
      • When we are hurt by someone – and refuse to forgive – it plants a seed in our heart…
      • It can quickly grow into bitterness – we become consumed with what ‘they did’!
      • But when un-forgiveness is in our hearts – God does not hear our prayers – Mark 11:25
      • The only solution – is to turn to Jesus – He can give us the grace to forgive!
      • Because forgiveness is not just for the one whom did us wrong – it is also for us…
      • It sets us free – so we do not dwell on the past – we get to move forward in Christ!
  • 5^th – The Judgment of Ammon… vs. 13-14
    • Ammon – and its capitol of Rabbah – would be judged…
      • Because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead – just to gain territory!
      • The Ammonites were the descendants of Lot – nephew of Abraham – Genesis 19…
      • After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Lot hid in the hill with his daughters…
      • His daughters – thinking all the men were dead – got their dad drunk…
      • They lay with him and both had sons – the Moabites and Ammonites!
      • But they were also the ones who oppressed the people of Israel – I Samuel 11:1
      • They demanded the men of Gilead put out their right eyes – or be destroyed!
    • All of that just so they could get a little more land…
      • Funny how times have not changed much – Ammon – it the capitol of Jordan…
      • And they are still fighting wars with Israel just to try and get a little more land – West Bank!
      • And God still judges any nation that would date to come against His people!
  • 6^th – The Judgment of Moab… vs. 1-3
    • Moab – and its capitol of Kerioth – would be judged…
    • Because they burned the bones of the King of Edom till they were ashes (white)…
    • This may be a reference to the lost battle against Judah / Israel / Edom – II Kings 3:27
    • When the king of Moab tried to escape with 700 elite soldiers – but his escape failed…
    • So in desperation he offered ‘the eldest son’ as a burnt sacrifice on the walls of the city…
    • Some say it was the eldest son of the king of Edom that he sacrificed!
    • As a result God would wipe Moab out – they would go out with shouts / trumpet blast…
    • Suggesting their demise would be in the midst of a violent battle!
  • 7^th – The Judgment of Judah… vs. 4-5
    • Judah – and its capitol of Jerusalem – would be judged…
      • Because they despised the Law of the Lord – and have not kept His commandments…
      • Instead they followed lies that led them stray – lies their fathers also followed!
      • Therefore God would send a fire on the palaces of Jerusalem – aka – Nebuchadnezzar!
      • Because Judgment is not just reserved for the pagan nations…
      • Even the chosen people of God were not immune from the destruction sins brings!
    • The world today is VERY lost – up is down / right is wrong – because they follow lies…
      • And we often are left to shake our heads and ask – how did everything get so twisted!
      • The problem is the moment we take away the standard of truth – the Word of God…
      • Truth becomes relative – we can no longer know right from wrong…
      • Beginning in 1962 – the Supreme Court removed prayer from schools…
      • In 1963 – that same court ruled the Bible also had no right to be in public schools…
      • The result has been dramatic increase in sexual promiscuity / abortions / divorce…
      • Violence in schools – because kids are taught there is no God – no consequence…
      • That is why it is so important to study our Bibles – so we KNOW the TRUTH – John 17:17

• 3^rd – The judgment against Israel… vs. 6-15
  • 1^st – The last nation to be judged… vs. 6-8
    • Finally Israel would also be judged – because they had completely rejected God…
      • They sold the righteous for silver – and the poor were only worth a pair of sandals…
      • They trample the helpless underfoot – and ignored those who were oppressed!
      • Both father and son sleep with the same prostitute in worship of their gods…
      • Lying down after in their temples on cloaks they had taken as surety – Exodus 22:25-27
      • While they drank wine that was paid for with money they extorted from the poor!
    • Although they are the last nation – God had the most to say against them…
      • In fact the purpose behind listing the sins of the first 7 nations…
      • All of whom Israel would have been more than willing to agree needed to be judged…
      • Was to prove the fact that although they deserved judgment – Israel was worse!
      • Syria was cruel / the Philistines had no mercy / Tyre broke its promises…
      • And Edom was full of rage / Ammon was greedy / and Moab was violent…
      • Even Judah had been led astray by lies – but none were as wicked as Israel!
      • Other peoples sins always seem so much more obvious than our own…
      • We tend to think God will be gracious to us – even though He judges the sin of others…
      • But why would we think that we are the exception to the rule!
      • II Peter 2:4-6 – “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned… [and] did not spare the ancient world… bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly… and turn[ed] the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes…”
      • We have to be so careful not to turn the grace of God into an excuse – Jude 1:4
      • Instead see consequences others face – and learn not to walk in their footsteps!
  • 2^nd – The power of God displayed to Israel… vs. 9-15
    • God had destroyed the Amorites – in particular the giants (Anak) – Numbers 13:33…
      • Who were as tall as cedars and strong as oaks – but God cut them off at the roots…
      • And God conquered Egypt – the super power of the day – provided for Israel for 40 years…
      • He made some of their sons prophets – to teach them the Word of God…
      • Other He made Nazarites – Numbers 6:2 – to be examples on how to live for God!
      • Yet in spite of all God had done / given to Israel – they rejected Him…
      • Israel gave wine to the Nazarites (forbidden) – and told the prophets to shut up!
    • Therefore God would crush Israel – like an overloaded cart full of grain crushes the ground!
      • The swift would not be able to run away / the strong would be too weak to save himself…
      • The most courageous men – would flee naked in that day when God judges Israel…
      • The bottom line Amos was trying point out to Israel – payday was coming!
      • And they had no excuse – not justification – that would be able to save them from their sin!
      • As I read these 3 chapters I could not help but think of our nation – America…
      • American has seen how God judged other nations because of their sin…
      • Yet she are far worse today then many of the nations she looks down upon…
      • Yet somehow so many assume they are somehow immune – as if they have a free pass…
      • And they try and silence those who would tell them otherwise – reject the Word of God…
      • But the truth is judgment is coming – and there are no excuses!
      • Yet there is still hope – time to be an Amos – and boldly stand up for Jesus!