The book of Amos begins with a proclamation of God’s judgment against the nations. Jehovah included in these words of condemnation Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistia), Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab — in addition to Judah and Israel.
He introduces each pronouncement of judgment with the words, “For three transgressions of [enter nation here], and for four, I will not turn away its punishment” (cf. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6). The phrase is a typical way of expressing a measure of completeness. Three sins were bad enough, but the fourth was cause for God’s judgment, He had reached the end of His longsuffering.
Consider a similar statement in Proverbs 30:15-16, “The leech has two daughters — Give and Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, four never say, “Enough!”: the grave, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water — and the fire never says, “Enough!” The concept in Amos is the same. The “fourth” transgression is not worse than the previous ones, just the tipping point for God’s judgment.
The transgressions of the nations surrounding Judah and Israel were typical of pagan societies. Violence, oppression, treachery, wrath and disrespect. The sin of Ammon is especially notable. “Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, that they might enlarge their territory’” (1:13). It seems such violence to women and their babies in the pursuit of self-interest mirrors our society’s practice of abortion on demand. It is an ugly sin that will bring God’s judgment upon America.
More applicable to God’s children are the transgressions of Judah and Israel. They were His people. They had received His blessings and protection. How did they respond? Judah “despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, lies which their fathers followed” (2:4).
Israel oppressed the poor (2:6). They engaged in immorality (2:7). The practiced idolatry (2:8). They perverted the concept of purity and sanctification (2:12). They opposed men who spoke in the name of the Lord (2:12). It was for this great ungodliness that God pronounced His judgment upon the northern kingdom. “Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, the strong shall not strengthen his power, nor shall the mighty deliver himself; He shall not stand who handles the bow, the swift of foot shall not escape, nor shall he who rides a horse deliver himself. The most courageous men of might shall flee naked in that day,” says the Lord” (2:14-16).
What is the lesson for us? God has established in His word a pattern of doctrine and teaching that He expects us to follow! Not keeping God’s commands shows a disrespect for Him and His word. It substitutes the “lies” of men for the truths which emanate from Him. It leads to all types of ungodliness, and ultimately it leads to God’s judgment.
Men today claim to be followers of God while they refuse to heed His will for man. The claims are hollow. God regards them vain and impotent. He is not pleased.
To avoid God’s judgment, either individually or as a society, we must respect and obey His will. We must love one another. We must practice pure religion by “visiting the fatherless and the widows in their affliction” (cf. James 1:27).
If not, “for three transgressions…, and for four,” God’s judgment will be visited upon us as well.
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
