When something is unavoidable, foolishness lies in trying to avoid it.”
–Ralph Vaughn (Hell Comes to Paradise)
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
–Joel 3:14 (NKJV)
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Judgment is coming! The Prophet declares. Come, gather and look at what is happening. Amos is telling others, particularly the Philistines and Egyptians to watch the judgment that is coming. “They are to become witnesses of unrighteousness that prevailed among God’s people, who claimed to be righteous.” In looking at this coming judgment we must remember that sin often causes physical calamity. Israel will face it in the clutches of Assyria. We are warned, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1, NKJV)
In these verses, 3:9-15, Amos is able to look beyond the grandeur and security of Samaria. He sees the “great tumults in her midst, and the oppressed within her” (3:9, NKJV). Outwardly there is the appearance of strength and stability but in reality there is chaos, panic, and disorder. Lloyd Ogilvie says, “‘great tumult’ can mean the confusion caused by unrestrained and wanton revelry.” He continues to say, “Samaria was Vanity Fair, Sin City, obsessed with sexual lust and sensualism.”
Confusion, chaos, do we not see this today. Gender confusion? Chaos in the streets. Here is the crux of the matter, “‘They do not know how to do right,’ declares the LORD.” (3:10, NIV) Albert Garners states that they have “seared and obstinate conscience.” The people have lost moral perspective and have robbed the poor. Amos states that instead of storehouses filled with grain their storehouse is filled with “robbery and violence.” What are the streets of America like? Hmm…. Instead of living as God’s people, they have corrupted the message and religion of God. This is apostasy!
People get to the point where God is no longer valid in their sight. The only thing they know is what is right in their own eyes. Jesus told John regarding the church in Laodicea, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—” This is the same thing that Amos was seeing and proclaiming. Peter C. Craigie says, “Great walls offer no protection if the lives of those within are weakened with corruption.” Do people care about their neighbor or do they live their own agenda? Remember when Israel wanted a king? “Israel had wanted to be like other nations; soon they would be no nation at all.” (Ogilvie) Do we see this today in globalism, the WHO mandate, and climate control? When God decides to judge there will be no refuge. The Assyrians took Israel captive, dispersing it throughout the lands. This people would partially return and were the hated Samaritans in the time of Jesus–“mongrel Jews.”
Amos is not only warning Israel and the city of Samaria. His words should ring out today in regard to God’s moral law and His righteousness. We read in Proverbs, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (14:34, NKJV) Ah, they cry is, “whose righteousness? who determines?” The people of Israel had turned from Yahweh, turned from His laws and covenant. They now worshiped Baal. Instead of honoring the covenant and the sacrifices under the law, they sacrificed to Baal. “The Baal rites not only involved the usual lascivious practices of fertility cults, but even such abominations as child sacrifice.” (New Bible Dictionary) Jeremiah describes this, “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offering to Baal–something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.” (19:5, NIV)
Watch out, or as Isaiah and other prophets might say, “Woe” Be careful what you do with God’s righteous and moral law. Know of a certainty that God is not mocked. Paul writes, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them…. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:6-7, 11, NIV) Gary G. Cohen brings us to reality, in our day, and in the time of Amos, when he writes, “Amos cries that the whole-world ought to understand what sins had occurred in Samaria, which sins had now caught up with her and had resulted in God’s proclamation that her time of judgment had arrived.”