Judgment on False Religion and Corruption

Amos 3:11–15
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In the past a walled city was a protected city, and a city without walls was vulnerable. A walled city could be taken only with great difficulty. A military leader seeking to take a walled stronghold would require (1) a large army and a willingness to take many casualties, (2) superior tactics, exploiting some weakness in the city’s defenses, and/or (3) superior technology, a way of destroying the defenses. Walled cities were built for defense from external enemies, but historically cities were places of great wickedness. When you gather a group of people together, they will not achieve utopia; rather sinful people are inclined towards corruption. “They do not know how to do right,” declares the LORD, “those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds (Amos 3:10).” The Philistines, the Egyptians, and the Israelites all put their trust in strongholds instead of in the Lord (v. 9). Therefore, the Lord promises that an adversary will come who will surround, bring down, and plunder their strongholds (v. 11). The adversary mentioned here was Assyria who conquered Israel and did just as Amos predicted by scattering them and foreigners were placed in the land (vv. 11-12). 

The Lord God, the God of hosts (v. 13) declares his judgment against the house of Jacob. Israel had two chief sins: (1) false religion (v. 14) and (2) misuse of wealth and power (v. 15). The Lord would punish the alter at Bethel, where they worshiped the golden calf (v. 14). Apparently, many Israelites could afford two houses (a summer and a winter residence). It’s not a sin to have nice things per say, but wealth gained at the expense of the poor is sinful. We know from earlier in the book (Amos 2:6-8) that the Israelites were not caring for their less fortunate brethren. There was much corruption, and the Lord would eventually bring it all down. 

Application

Here in America, we are extremely blessed. How can we use our position of privilege for the good of others and for God’s glory?