Ben Fust
Continuing, Moab sucks because they have disrespected the bones of the King of Edom in a dastardly way (removing them from their resting place and burning them.) It’s a bit interesting that God is reinforcing respect for the bones of a nation He is also set to punish, although this is likely just presented as an example of how Moab behaves and thus what has caused their punishment. Again, fire to Moab, along with death. Sound of trumpet should likely be understood as heralds to battle. All said, strongholds are gone, ruler will be cut off and his sons will die.
Continuing…and this is the point that becomes much more difficult for Amos to say and for Judah to hear, Judah sucks because they have rejected the laws of God. The people who assumed their prosperity was at the hands of God are told that their unwillingness to follow God and the lies they tell themselves about how they are doing has led them astray and will bring punishment. God’s people get the same consequences as their enemies, judgment and the devouring of strongholds.
Then it is Israel’s turn (Northern Kingdom). They have traded good people out for riches. They have mistreated and ignored the poor and God will not stand for it. Father and son share women, they worship false idols, and get drunk in their false temples (they should be worshiping in Jerusalem but set up a couple other temples and thought that’d be fine. They were incorrect.)
God makes the case that there is no excuse for their foolishness. He destroyed the Amorites in front of them, brought the people out of Egypt to take the land from the Amorites, and brought up people within Israel to be prophets, to keep them on the straight and narrow. But they jacked it up. They had the priests drink booze and told the prophets not to speak. So, God will bring justice upon them. You will not be able to run or defend yourself and even the great among you will not be able to sustain.
Your horse will not help, your bow will not help, and your stout heart will not help.
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