Judgment on False Religion and Corruption
August 19, 2021
Commentary
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?
Amos 3:11– 15 (NET)
11 Therefore,” says the Sovereign Lord, “an enemy will encircle the land. He will take away your power; your fortresses will be looted.”
12 This is what the Lord says: “Just as a shepherd salvages from the lion’s mouth a couple of leg bones or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites who live in Samaria will be salvaged. They will be left with just a corner of a bed, and a part of a couch.
13 Listen and warn the family of Jacob!” The Sovereign Lord, the God who commands armies, is speaking!
14 “Certainly when I punish Israel for their covenant transgressions, I will destroy Bethel’s altars. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.
15 I will destroy both the winter and summer houses. The houses filled with ivory will be ruined, the great houses will be swept away.” The Lord is speaking!