The Nations Around Israel
Category: Failure of mercy & justice
Could endure: Treat others with dignity, avoid cruelty.
“For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not relent.” (Amos 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Obadiah 10; Matthew 7:12.
Chose wrongly: Committed brutal violence and cruelty.
“They threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth.” (Amos 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 10:13–14; Joel 3:3.
Endured (negatively): Fire and judgment from the LORD.
“I will send fire on the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.” (Amos 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 25:17; Revelation 18:8.
Why (wrong motive): Hatred, greed, vengeance.
“Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom.” (Amos 1:6)
Cross-Refs: Obadiah 11–12; James 4:1–2.
Result: Nations destroyed.
“Says the LORD: I will not relent.” (Amos 1:3, repeated)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 9:17; Revelation 19:15.
Israel’s Rich Oppressors
Category: Failure of justice & compassion
Could endure: Defend the poor and needy.
“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)
Cross-Refs: Micah 6:8; James 1:27.
Chose wrongly: Exploited and crushed the poor.
“You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain.” (Amos 5:11)
Cross-Refs: Amos 2:6–7; Isaiah 10:1–2.
Endured (negatively): Loss of wealth, destruction of homes.
“Though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them.” (Amos 5:11)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 28:30; James 5:1–5.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, luxury, disregard for God.
“You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches.” (Amos 6:4)
Cross-Refs: Luke 16:19–25; 1 Timothy 6:9–10.
Result: Exile beyond Damascus.
“Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile.” (Amos 6:7)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 9:3; 2 Kings 17:6.
False Worship in Bethel
Category: Failure of true worship
Could endure: Worship God alone in truth.
“Seek the LORD and live.” (Amos 5:6)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 12:5; John 4:23–24.
Chose wrongly: Multiplied sacrifices and feasts without obedience.
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.” (Amos 5:21)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 1:13; Matthew 15:8–9.
Endured (negatively): God rejected their worship.
“Even though you bring me burnt offerings… I will not accept them.” (Amos 5:22)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 1:10; Hebrews 10:6.
Why (wrong motive): Ritual without righteousness.
“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.” (Amos 5:23)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 29:13; 1 Corinthians 13:1–2.
Result: Silence of God’s presence, coming judgment.
“People will stagger from sea to sea and wander… searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.” (Amos 8:12)
Cross-Refs: 1 Samuel 3:1; Micah 3:6.
Complacent Women of Samaria (“Cows of Bashan”)
Category: Failure of compassion & restraint
Could endure: Live humbly and honor God.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy.” (Micah 6:8)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 31:20; 1 Peter 3:3–4.
Chose wrongly: Demanded indulgence, oppressed the poor.
“You women of Samaria who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, ‘Bring us some drinks!’” (Amos 4:1)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 3:16–17; Philippians 3:19.
Endured (negatively): Taken away with hooks into exile.
“The time will come when you will be taken away with hooks.” (Amos 4:2)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 17:6; Lamentations 1:5.
Why (wrong motive): Luxury, selfishness, gluttony.
“You oppress the poor and crush the needy.” (Amos 4:1)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 16:49; Luke 21:34.
Result: Shame and captivity.
“You will go straight out through breaches in the wall.” (Amos 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 10:14; Nahum 3:10.