First light over the bare tan hills of Tekoa: a herdsman seen from behind on a stony ridge among his sheep, staff in hand, looking north to far hazy hills under a calm pale sky.

The nations judged

Amos 1

It’s easy to agree when God judges other people. Keep reading.

15 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2The nations judgedEight oracles, closing on IsraelChapter 1
3–5:17Hear this wordThree messages to Samaria
5:18–6Woe to those at easeThe Day of the LORD, and Zion’s comfort
7–9:10Five visionsLocusts, fire, plumb line, fruit, the altar
9:11–15The fallen tent raisedRuins rebuilt, vineyards planted

Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors

These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Amos

The long ridge of Mount Carmel above a hazy sea in drought, its oaks and scrub turned brown, dry pastures below and an empty stone sheepfold in the foreground.

He said:

“The LORD roars from Zion

and raises His voice from Jerusalem;

the pastures of the shepherds mourn,

and the summit of Carmel withers.”

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

The circle of nations

Damascus to the northeast, the Philistine towns to the southwest, Tyre north on the coast. Then Israel’s own kin: Edom, Ammon and Moab. Then Judah. The circle tightens on Samaria.

God

A heavy wooden threshing sledge lies tipped on its side on a rock threshing floor, the sharp stones and iron teeth set into its underside facing the viewer, sheaves and chaff around it.

This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Damascus, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they threshed Gilead

with sledges of iron.

God

So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael

to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad.

God

God

I will break down the gates of Damascus;

I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven

and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden.

The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,”

says the LORD.

Reflect

Easy to agree

It is easy to cheer when God judges an enemy. Before you read on, write down one wrong you are quick to condemn in other people. Then ask God honestly whether any of it lives in you.

God

Dusk on the coastal plain: Gaza's mud-brick wall on its mound, smoke rising from behind it, dunes and grain fields in front and no one in view.

So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza,

to consume its citadels.

I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod

and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon.

I will turn My hand against Ekron,

and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,”

says the Lord GOD.

God

Evening seen from the water: the island city of Tyre packed behind its stone sea wall, two Phoenician ships at rest in the harbor, a calm dusky sky above.

This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Tyre, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom

and broke a covenant of brotherhood.

So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre

to consume its citadels.”

0:16

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of Edom, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because he pursued his brother with the sword

and stifled all compassion;

his anger raged continually,

and his fury flamed incessantly.

God

The red sandstone mountains of Edom glowing deep red at sunset across the wide Arabah valley, a faint shepherd's track in the foreground.

So I will send fire upon Teman

to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”

Question

Quick question

Five nations so far, from Damascus to Edom. Look back at the charge against each one.

What do the first five nations’ sins have in common?

God

This is what the LORD says:

“For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four,

I will not revoke My judgment,

because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead

in order to enlarge their territory.

God

God

So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah

to consume its citadels

amid war cries on the day of battle

and a violent wind on the day of tempest.

Their king will go into exile—

he and his princes together,”

says the LORD.

You’ve experienced

Amos 1

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A verse to carry with you

The LORD roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.

Amos 1:2

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