Yahweh Roars to Israel

Sermon 3 in Series

Amos 2:6-16

[6] Thus says the LORD:

“For three transgressions of Israel,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals—
[7] those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth
and turn aside the way of the afflicted;
a man and his father go in to the same girl,
so that my holy name is profaned;
[8] they lay themselves down beside every altar
on garments taken in pledge,
and in the house of their God they drink
the wine of those who have been fined.

[9] “Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them,
whose height was like the height of the cedars
and who was as strong as the oaks;
I destroyed his fruit above
and his roots beneath.
[10] Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt
and led you forty years in the wilderness,
to possess the land of the Amorite.
[11] And I raised up some of your sons for prophets,
and some of your young men for Nazirites.
Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?”
declares the LORD

[12] “But you made the Nazirites drink wine,
and commanded the prophets,
saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’

[13] “Behold, I will press you down in your place,
as a cart full of sheaves presses down.
[14] Flight shall perish from the swift,
and the strong shall not retain his strength,
nor shall the mighty save his life;
[15] he who handles the bow shall not stand,
and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself,
nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
[16] and he who is stout of heart among the mighty
shall flee away naked in that day,”
declares the LORD.