The book of Amos chapters 1
Two years before the earthquake: While earthquakes are not uncommon in Palestine, the one to which Amos refers
must have been unusually sever; for it is mentioned again by Zechariah in his prophecy (Zec. 14:4,5) more than tow
hundred years later. It stands as a reminder of God’s great power in nature and is warning of His judgment that is
about to overtake Israel. Amos begins his prophecy with words taken from Joel (cf v. 2 with Joel 3:16).
1:3-5. Damascus is the capital city of Syria and is to be especially stricken in judgment because of the cruelties Syria
had inflicted on Israel. For three transgressions and for fur (which introduces the message of judgment to all of the
nations, including Israel) is a rhetorical way of saying that the offender has been guilty of an incalculable number of
offenses. The plain of Aven may have been an area in which idolatry was deeply entrenched. The house of Eden
(“House of Pleasure”) may refer to the king’s pleasure resort. The precise location of Kir is unknown.
1:6-8 The mention Ashdod, Asheklon, Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines (v.8) lets us know that the prophecy
is directed against Philistia as a whole. Their crime was the taking of a whole population captive and delivering it over
to Edom. Joel 3:3-8 fills in the details that Amos’s prophecy lacks.
1:9, 10. Tyre remembered not the brotherly covenant which their King Hiram had made with David and Solomon. This
covenant had been long-standing (cf. 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Kin. 5:2-6, 15-18; 9:11-14), and no king of Israel or Judah had
ever made war on Phoenicia. Though Judah honored it side of the treaty, Phoenicia had sold Israelites to others (cf
Joel 3:4-8).
1:13-15. Rabbah (lit. “The Great”) was the capital city of Ammon. Amos prophesies that it will be utterly destroyed,
and the king and is princes taken into captivity for it unspeakable atrocities against God’s people.
Amos chapter 2
2:4, 5. Israel was probably as pleased at this pronouncement of judgment as she was with al the others. Judah’s sin
is similar to Israel’s, for they have despised the law of the Lord Israel should realize that if God would judge Judah,
then certainly He would also judge Israel herself. Judah’s sin is worse that those of the nations, because Judah has
violated the law of God that was delivered to her by direct revelation.
2:13-16. Because of Israel’s flagrant violations of God’s righteous law and His gracious provisions, in escapable
judgment must inevitably fall, though it will fall only after God has permitted Himself to endure Israel’s many and
grievous sins far beyond what might ordinarily be considered he breaking point.