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THEBOOKOFAMOS
Lesson3,Chapters1and2
LasttimewemetwepausedourstudyofAmoschapter1,andtheoraclesof
judgementagainstseveralpagan/gentilenations,toinvestigatethebiblical
meaningoftheword“love”(ahaborahavinHebrew).Icannotsufficientlystress
thevitalimportanceofproperlyunderstandingthebiblicalnotionof“love”asit
affectseveryaspectofourlives,includinghowwepracticeourfaithandhowwe
aretorelatetoGodandtoourfellowman.Theconclusionthatwasreachedisthe
resultofmuchsolidevidencefrombothwithinandwithouttheBibleitself,and
justasimportantly,fromwithinandwithouttheHebrewcultureofthevarious
BibleerasincludingtheonethatconcernsAmos:the8
th
centuryB.C.Itturnsout
thatthemeaningoftheterm“love”needstobeunderstoodwithin2different
spheresdependingonthecontextandthesubjectmatter.Onesphereconcerns
humanemotion;theotherconcernsthepolitical,legal,andtangible.Ancient
writtenrecordsofthesocietiesandculturesthatformedthemanyMiddle
EasternnationsneatlycoincidewithHebrewrecordssuchthatwefindthatthere
wasnodiscernabledifferenceamongalltheseculturesandnationsastothe
common,well-understood,everydayuseoftheterm“love”intheirownpeculiar
literatureandpractices.
Thebottomlineisthatmoreoftenthannot,“love”isdefinedintheBibleand
amongthesemanysocietiesasloyalty,allegiance,andfaithfulnesstoasuperior
ortoacovenantpartner.Onlyoccasionallyincertaincircumstancesdoes“love”
involvetheemotionalsphere;thatis,romanceorwarmaffections.Eveninthe
matterofromance,andespeciallyasitconcernstheexpectedresultofromance
(whichismarriagebetweenamaleandfemale),theemotionalsphereis
intendedtooverlapthepoliticalandtangiblesphere,ratherthantoreplaceit.
Thatis,wherebyloveofone’skingonlyinvolvestheemotionalelementofwarm
affectionsinthemostminimalway(andinpracticeisacompletelyunnecessary
element),marriageandromancerelyheavilyonthatemotionalelementofwarm
affections,butalsoincludestheequallystrongelementoffaithfulnessand
loyaltytoone’sspouseorbetrothed.Infact,thephysical/tangiblesphereoflove
asloyalty,allegianceandfaithfulnessinthebiblicalnotionofmarriage
proportionatelysurpassesthatofromanceandwarmaffectionbetweenmarriage
partners.
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Therefore,whenwelookatthe2foundationalcommandsthatunderpinallof
God’slaws,whicharetoloveGodwithallourbeingandtoloveourneighbor(our
fellowman)asourselves,thentheinstructionisforustoshowunwavering
loyaltyandfaithfulnesstoGodasouroneandonlydivinesuperiorandking,and
tobeasactivelyconcernedtoseetothewell-beingofourneighboraswewould
normallybeconcernedforourselves.LoyaltyandfaithfulnesstoGodis,by
definition,completelywrappedupinourobediencetoHim;andobedienceto
HimisdefinedandcodifiedbyHisnaturalandwrittenlawsandcommands.
Loyaltytoourneighboris,bydefinition,completelywrappedupinourtangible
involvementincaringforourneighborinpracticalways…gooddeeds.Naturally,
Godwantsthisloyaltytocomefromourinmostdesiretohaveanintimate
spiritualrelationshipwithHim(asopposedtocoercionandthethreatofharmto
usforbeingdisobedient),andHewantsustohaveasincereinnerdesiretohelp
ourneighboroutofasenseofcompassion.But,innocaseareouremotionstobe
theprimarysourceordrivingforceofourrelationshipwithGodandwithour
fellowman.Rather,aschildrenofGodandasHisworshippers,andevenmoreso
asthosewhohavebeensavedanddeliveredbytheselflessactMessiahYeshua
onthecross,wehaveobligationstoGodandtoourneighborthataretobe
carriedoutregardlessofhowwefeel.
Thus,whilethisisageneralandfundamentalunderstandingofthebiblicaluseof
theword“love”,italsoappliesdirectlytoAmos1:9andtheoracleofjudgment
againstTzor,becausetheybrokeacovenant…thatis,theydidn’t“love”their
covenantpartner.Let’smoveontothenextjudgmentoraclethatconcernsEdom.
We’llbeginbyre-readingtheremainderofAmoschapter1.
RE-READAMOSCHAPTER1:11–end
ThenationofEdomhadalongandwell-establishedethnicandfamilialtiewith
Israel.WhereastheCJBsaysthatthetieswerewithEdom’s“kinsmen”,infact
whatitliterallysaysis“withhisbrother”.TheHebrewwordbeingtranslatedis
ach,andinitsliteral,technicalsenseitmeans“brother”whileatthesametime
itcanbeusedasanexpressiontomeanaperson’sfamilyrelativesingeneral.
Hereitprobablymakesthemostsensetoseeitasmeaning“brother”because
thefounderofthenationofEdomwasEsau,thetwinbrotherofJacob,the
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founderofthenationofIsrael.GoingbackeventothebirthnarrativeofEsauand
Jacobtheirrelationswerealwaysstrained.Infact,thosestrainedrelations
literallybeganinthewomb.Esauwaslaterpromiseda“blessing”thathewould
alwayslivebythesword.
CJB
Genesis27:38-40
38
'Esavsaidtohisfather,"Haveyouonlyoneblessing,my
father?Father,blessmetoo!"'Esavweptaloud,
39
andYitz'chakhisfather
answeredhim:"Here!Yourhomewillbeoftherichnessoftheearthandofthe
dewofheavenfromabove.
40
Youwilllivebyyoursword,andyouwillserveyour
brother.Butwhenyoubreakloose,youwillshakehisyokeoffyourneck."
EdomwaslocatedtothesouthwestofbothJudahandIsrael.The2majorcities
ofEdomarementionedinthisjudgmentoracle:TemanandBozrah.Bozrahwas
Edom’snorthernmostmajorcity,whileTemanwasitssouthernmost.Therefore,
thepurposebehindmentioningthesetwocitieslocatedatthe2extreme
compassdirectionsofEdomistoindicateinclusiveness.Thatis,allofEdomis
guiltyandwillbepunished.
Goingfarbackintohistory,longafterthetimeofJacob,wefindthatEdomused
violencetotrytostopIsraelfrompeacefullypassingthroughitontheirwayfrom
EgypttoCanaan.Inanutshell,thiswrathfulreactionofGodtowardsEdomisthe
culminationofcenturiesofEdom’swrathandvenomtowardsIsrael,happening
undervariouscircumstancesoverthosecenturies.WhereasEdom,aboveall
nations,shouldhaveshowncompassiontowardsIsrael,theyinsteadcontinued
onwithabloodfeudbetweenJacobandEsauthathadbegunwhenJacobused
dishonestytosecureabirthrightthatbytraditionbelongedtohisbrotherEsau.
EdomandIsraelwerenearlyalwaysenemiesandatone-another’sthroats
throughouttheeraoftheJudges,theKings,evenextendingintothetimewhen
JudahwasexiledtoBabylon.
ThenextoracleofdestructionwasuponAmon.TheAmmoniteslivedinavery
harshlandontheeastsideoftheJordanRiver.Sinceacquiringabetterland
wouldhavebeenconstantlyinthemindsoftheleadersofthenationofAmon,
thenitisnotsurprisingthattheywouldmountregularmilitaryincursionsinto
theirneighbor’sterritorytotrytotakeatleastsomeofitinordertoimprovetheir
owncondition.ItisthecontextofatleastoneoftheseincursionsthatGodsays
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Amonrippedunbornchildrenfromtheirmothers’wombs.ManyBibleacademics
havesuggestedthatsuchabarbarouscrimeasthisdidn’tactuallyhappen;itwas
onlyhyperbole.ButwefindmentionofitintoomanyplacesintheBible,andin
therecordsofotherancientMiddleEasternpeoples,toblowitoffasbuta
culturalexaggeration.Oneofafewexamplesofthisis:
CJB
2Kings8:12Haza'elasked,"Whyismylordcrying?"Heanswered,"Because
IknowthedisastersyouwillbringonthepeopleofIsra'el-youwillsettheir
fortressesonfire,youwillkilltheiryoungmenwiththesword,youwilldashtheir
littleonestopiecesandriptheirpregnantwomenapart."
ThepunishmentthatwillbeinflicteduponthenationofAmonisfortheir
primarycity(probablytheircapital)tobeburnedtotheground.Themoderncity
ofAmman,JordansitsatoptheformerlocationofRabbah.Oncewegettothe
timeofAlexandertotheGreatandthenintothetimeoftheriseoftheRoman
Empire,thecitywasrenamedtoPhiladelphia.Ironically,inAmos’sday,the
nationofAmonwasunderthecontrolofIsrael.So,whateverwastheexact
incidentthatthisoraclepointedtowardshadtohavebeenamatterofhistory.
Veryprobablythisisn’tevenaboutoneparticularincident,butrathersomething
thattheAmmoniteshadperpetrateduponIsraelonafewoccasions.We’venow
readofafewoftheseoraclejudgmentsthatinvolvefire.ThisisstandardTorah
languageforwhatGodwilldotoanation’scitiesfortheirdisobediencetoHis
moralcode,andinsomecasesfortheirdirectassaultsuponHischosenpeople.
I’llremindyouthatintheBiblefireisusuallyusedtodooneoftwothings:either
topurifyortodestroy.Godishereusingfiretodestroy.Itisclearthatthefire
thatwilldestroyRabbahwillnotbesupernaturalaswithSodomandGomorrah.
Ratheritwillcomeasaresultofbattle;anenemyofAmonwillbeusedtosavage
themonYehoveh’sbehalf.
Nowwouldbeagoodtimetomentionthatphraseslike“thedayofcombat”,“the
dayofbattle”,andthe“dayofstorms(orwhirlwinds”)areallmeanttobe
synonymouswiththemorewell-knownphrase‘thedayoftheLord”.Thatis,
whatisoccurringisattheLord’sdoing;Yehovehisinterveninginthehistoryof
men.Itismeantasdivinelysourcedjudgmentevenifbyalloutward
appearancesitseemsasthoughitisbutanotheroftheendlesswarsand
atrocitiesthathumanscommitagainstotherhumans.
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Thementioninverse15ofAmon’skingandhisprincesbeingsentintoexile
meansthattheleadershipofAmonwillbealsoberemovedthussufferingthe
worstpunishmentpossibleforaking:forheandhisfamilytopermanentlylose
theirpositionandpower.
Itismorethaninterestingtonoticethatofthecrimeslistedagainstallthese
pagannations(thusfar)nothingissaidaboutworshippingfalsegodsand
idolatry.RatherallthesetrespassesagainstGod’slawsarehumanagainst
human.Theyallviolatetheprincipleof“loveyourneighbor”(moreoftenthan
notreferringtoourdealingswithourfellowmanbroadlyandingeneralas
opposedtoaspecificpersonlocatednearesttous).Thisiswhywedon’tsee
thesenationsspokenofintermsofthechiefgodthattheyworshipped(thatis,
thatnation’snationalorpatrongod),aswe’lloftenfindintheBible.So,godsand
theirhumanpriestsareneverthedirectlymentionedsubjectsofGod’sjudgment;
ratherthesubjectsarenationsandtheirpoliticalleaders,withtheirwrong
actionshavingtodowithpeopleharmingotherpeople,andnotwithimproper
religiousritual.Let’smoveontochapter2.
READAMOSCHAPTER2all
Chapter2openswithyetanotheroracleofjudgmentagainstyetanotherpagan
nation:Moab.WhileI’vediscusseditatlengthoverthesefirst3lessonsofAmos,
IwillreiteratethatitisparamountthatwetakenoticethatGodfullyexpectsthe
nations(meaningnon-Hebrewnations,gentiles)toalsoobeyHislawsand
commands,becausedisobeyingtheselawsiswhatispromptingGodtoreact
againstthem.Itputstoshamethecentral,age-old,ChurchdoctrinethatGod’s
lawsandcommandswereonlyeverforIsraelandnooneelsesotheChurchis
exempt.TheBookofAmosdestroysthatnotionindetail.Pauldoessoaswell
byexplaininginRomans2thatthelawsgiventoIsraelintheCovenantofMoses
arenodifferentthanthenaturallaw,theknowledgeofwhichisinnatetoall
humanbeingswithouttheneedforittobewrittendown.Thenationsnothaving
immediateaccesstotheTorahisnoexcuseforgentilestotransgress…togo
against…allthattheTorahdemands.ThisisbecausealltheTorahreallydoesis
tofleshoutinfullerdetailwhatthenaturallawplacedbyGodintoallofmankind
alreadycommunicates,andthereforehowitoughttobeacted-out.
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Moabwasabrother-nationofAmon,andalsolocatedinahardscrabbleareaon
theeastsideoftheJordanRiver.ThecrimeGodfocusesonhastodowithproper
burialofaperson;inthiscasethekingofanenemy.ThatenemywasEdom.
HistoryandarcheologyshowthatMoabandEdomwereenemieswithMoab
erectinganumberfortificationsonitsborderwithEdom.Wearetoldthatinstead
ofaproperandrespectfulburial,Moab“burnedthebones”oftheKingofEdom.
Thisisnotanexpression;itmeansthatquiteliterallyandwithmaliciousintent,
theKingofEdom’sboneswereburnedtoashessothatnoburialwaspossible.
Whatisthemeaningofthisatrocityandwhyisitconsideredsoterrible?Itis
becausethecommonbeliefoftheancientpeopleofthatdaywasthatskeletal
remains…bones…wereneededforanyhopeofthatpersonparticipatingin
resurrection.AswascommonlybelievednotjustamongIsrael,shouldagod
decidetoresurrectapersonfromthedead,theboneswouldbere-usedasthe
structureuponwhichtoconstructnewfleshandthentogivethispersonnewlife.
WefindthisnotionfrontandcenterintheBookofEzekiel.
CJB
Ezekiel37:1-5WiththehandofADONAIuponme,ADONAIcarriedmeout
byhisSpiritandsetmedowninthemiddleofthevalley,anditwasfullofbones.
2
Hehadmepassbyallaroundthem-thereweresomanyboneslyinginthe
valley,andtheyweresodry!
3
Heaskedme,"Humanbeing,canthesebones
live?"Ianswered,"AdonaiELOHIM!Onlyyouknowthat!"
4
Thenhesaidtome,
"Prophesyoverthesebones!Saytothem,'Drybones!HearwhatADONAIhasto
say!
5
TothesebonesAdonaiELOHIMsays,"Iwillmakebreathenteryou,and
youwilllive.
So,foraperson’sbonestobeburnttoashesmeansthatpersonwillremain
eternallydead.Now,pleasehearme:thisisn’tnecessarilytrueorisitactually
whathappens;ratherthisiswhatthepeopleofthaterabelievedwasso.So,
fromGod’sperspective,thedespicableactofburningaperson’sbonestoashes
isallaboutbadintentandaspiritofevil.Sinceresurrectionofthedeadisan
importantfeatureofGod’swillforhumans,thenforonepersontointentionally
trytopreventtheresurrectionofanother,isagrievoustrespass.Thereisa
famousstoryintheBookofSamuelaboutagroupofIsraelwhotriedtoprevent
justsuchathingfromhappeningtoKingSaul.
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CJB
1Samuel31:7-13
7
WhenthemenofIsra'elwhowereontheothersideof
thevalleyandthosewhowereonthefarsideoftheYardensawthatthemenof
Isra'elhadfledandthatSha'ulandhissonsweredead,theyabandonedthe
citiesandfled;thentheP'lishtimcameandlivedinthem.
8
Thefollowingday,
whentheP'lishtimcametostripthedead,theyfoundSha'ulandhisthreesons
lyingdeadonMountGilboa.
9
Theycutoffhishead,strippedoffhisarmorand
senttheseallovertheterritoryoftheP'lishtimtocarrythenewstothetemples
oftheiridolsandtothepeople.
10
Thentheyputhisarmorinthetempleforthe
'ashtarotandfastenedhisbodytothewallofBeit-Sh'an.
11
Whenthepeople
livinginYavesh-Gil'adheardwhattheP'lishtimhaddonetoSha'ul,
12
alltheir
warriorssetout,travelingallnight.TheytookthebodyofSha'ulandthebodies
ofhissonsoffthewallofBeit-Sh'an,returnedtoYaveshandburnedthemthere.
13
Thentheytooktheirbones,buriedthemunderthetamarisktreeinYaveshand
fastedsevendays.
MenfriendlytoKingSaulburneduphisbody(likelybecausehehadbeen
dismemberedsothoroughly),butwerecarefultobesurethatthefirewasnotso
hotastoburnuphisbones.Afterthefleshhadbeenburnedaway,theyrescued
hisbonesandgavethemaproperburialbecauseintheirculturalmindsetthe
boneswerethemostimportantpartofthebodytobepreserved.Thesamesort
ofprocedureoccurredwellintoNewTestamenttimesasweseethattypical
Jewishburialinvolvedlayingacorpseintoaburialcave,allowingtimeand
naturaldecaytooccuruntilonlythebonesremained,andthentransferringthose
bonestoaburialboxthatwouldbeputawayindefinitely.Thiswasintendedto
ensurethepossibilityofresurrection.
TheresultofMoab’sactionswasthatGodwouldfightfirewithfire.Sincethey
burnedupthebonesofanEdomiteking,GodwouldburnupMoab.Sinceyou
can’tburnupland,thenofcourseitwouldhavetobemanmadestructuresthat
weredestroyedbyfire;inthiscase,thecityofKerioth.WhyKerioth?Other
ScripturesidentifyitasthecenterofworshipoftheMoabitegod,Chemosh.In
theMoabiteMeshaStonearcheologicalfind,weread:“Judgmenthascomeupon
KeriothandBozrah…uponallthetownsofthelandofMoab…”.Itfurtherstates:
“Ibroughtbackfromthere(booty)…anddraggeditbeforeChemoshatKerioth…”.
Inotherwords,wehaveevidencethatthecityofKeriothwasacultworship
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centertothegodChemoshandthishadmuchtodowithYehovehchoosing
KeriothasrepresentativeofburningupMoabwithfire.
WillthisconsumingofKeriothwithfirebeafireofsupernaturalorigin?No.Once
againitwillbetheactionofanenemymilitary.Whenverse2endswiththewords:
“alongwiththesoundsoftheshofar”itisreferringtothenoiseofthebugle-like
rams’hornsthatwerealwaysusedforthemilitaryleadershiptosignal
instructionstotheirtroopsastheybattled.
Aswiththeirbrother-nationAmon,Moabwillfindtheirroyaltyandtheir
leadershipdeportedbecauseoftheinjusticetheyhaveperpetratedupontheir
neighbors.EventhoughthetermusedtodescribeMoab’sleadershipis,in
Hebrew,Shaphat,andisproperlytranslatedas“judge”,inrealitythistermas
usedheremoremeansthepersonwhogoverns.
Therelativelybriefrecitationof6oraclesofjudgmentagainstthe6gentile
nationshaveconcluded,andnowbeginsthejudgmentsagainstGod’sown
people:firstJudah,thenEphraim/Israel.ThelistofcrimesagainstJudahand
Israelarelongandsearing.RememberingthatthisprophecyofAmoswouldbe
readtothepeopleofEphraim/Israel,thenonecaneasilyimaginethattheyat
firsttooksomecomfortinreadingoftheirenemyJudah’sdenunciation.Even
more,forEphraim/Israel,Judahwasnearlyas“foreign”asthe6foreignnations
mentionedbeforeit.Becausethepeopleoftheancienteraputgreatstockinthe
mysteryofnumbers,itwassignificanttothemthatJudahwasthe7
th
nationto
belisted,andIsraelwouldbethe8
th
.WealsoseethatwhileattimesGodspeaks
separatelyofbothcrimesandjudgmentsagainstJudah,thenEphraim/Israel,He
willalsospeakofthemtogether,asonepeople…allIsrael.
AmossaysthatbecauseofJudah’scrimestheirpreciouscapitalcityandhometo
theirall-importantTemple(Jerusalem)willbedestroyed.Theramificationsfor
suchascenariowouldbedevastatingforJudahfarbeyondamatterofcitizens
beingkilledandbuildingsrazed.RatherthedestructionoftheTemple,although
notspecificallyhighlighted,wouldhavebeenattheforefrontofeveryJudean
resident’smind.NoTemplemeansnowherefortheLevitepriesthoodtooperate.
Nowheretosacrificeandatonefortheirsins.Nowheretobepurifiedfromritual
impurity.NowheretopresenttherequiredFirstfruitsofferings,vowofferings,or
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voluntaryofferingsofthanksgiving.Nowheretocomefortherequiredpilgrimage
festivals.NowheretohavetheirfirstborndedicatedtoGod.Nowherefortheir
sonstobecircumcised.Noonetoteachthemthelaw.Theywouldbeoutof
harmonywithYehoveh,withnowaytoremedyit.Theywouldliveinperpetual
guiltfromtheirsins,anduncleannessfromtheirimpurities.Theirgodwould
havenoplacetoliveandsowouldn’tbepresentwiththem(fromtheir
perspective).
Judah’scrimesagainstGodcanbesummedupaswefinditinverse4:
CJB
Amos2:4…becausetheyrejectedADONAI'sTorahandhaven'tobservedhis
laws...
MostotherEnglishBibleversionsread:
JPS
Amos2:4 ...becausetheyhaverejectedthelawoftheLORD...
Bothofthesetraditionalwaysoftranslatingthewordsofverse4missthemark.
WhiletheCJBgetsitrightthatitwastheirrejectionoftheTorahthatwasthe
trouble,thewordAdonai(Lord)doesn’tbelongthere.AndinmostEnglishBibles,
neithertheword“law”nor“Lord”ispresentintheHebrewmanuscripts.Rather
whatisrejectedisspecificallysaid(inHebrew)tobetheTorah,andthatthe
authoroftheTorahisnot“theLord”itisYehoveh.TheinclusionofGod’sname
isinvariablyleftoutinEnglishtranslations.FortheancientIsraelites,the
inclusionofGod’sformalnamehadgreatmeaningbecausethentherewasno
ambivalenceastowhichgodisbeingreferredto.Godshadnames,andso
pronouncingagod’snamewascriticaltothatparticulargod’sidentity.Here,the
senseisthatitistheunthinkablerealityofJudah’sownnationalgodYehoveh
turningonthemleadingthewaytodestructionoftheoneandonlyplacewhere
Heistobeworshippedandsacrificedto:theJerusalemTemple.Ithinkitwould
hardtooverstatetheshockofsuchachillingrevelationtotheJudeanpeople.
I’llstatetheproblemthatGodhadwithIsraelinaslightlydifferentway:itwas
notwithnolongerbelievinginHim(theycertainlycontinuedtodoso);the
problemwasdisobediencetothecovenantHemadewithMosesandthepeople
ofIsraelatMt.Sinai.ItwasthesameproblemGodhadwiththose6gentile
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nations.AswiththecrimesthatHoseaprofferedagainstIsrael,soarethecrimes
enumeratedbyAmoscontainedwithintheMosaicCovenantastermsofthe
covenant.The“lies”theyareaccusedofconsistoftheincorrectteachingand
applicationofthelawsandregulationsoftheTorah.Thatis,itistheincorrect
teachingbytheLevitepriestsofthemeaningandobservingofthoselaws,
coupledwithanever-growinglistofmanmadetraditionsanddoctrines,whichled
toGodsaying:nomore!
IsraelfoundtheLawsofMosestobeoppressive,sotheircivilandreligious
leadersbegansettingGod’slawsasideandmakingtheirowndoctrinesthat
servedtheirowninterestsandinsomecasespleasedthepeopleingeneral.And
sinceitistheLawofMosesthatprovidesthedefinitionofGod’smoralcode,then
Israelfounditselfdeepinimmoralitywithoutbeingawareofit.Themodern
ChristianChurch,has,forthemostpart,donethesamething.Letmedefinethe
term“modernChristianChurch”.ThisistheChurch,alongwithitsdoctrinesand
customs,asweknowittodaythatismodeledafterthatwhichwascreatedinthe
4
th
centuryA.D.inRome.Anewversionofchurchthatwasverydifferentfrom
whathadexistedinitsoriginal.ThemeansbywhichthemodernChristian
ChurchrejectedGod’sTorahisthereforedifferentfromthewayJudahrejectedit
inthatwhileJudahstillpointedtotheLawasvalidbutatthesametime
pervertingandmisapplyingit,thenewChurchsimplyabolishedGod’slawsand
commandsongroundsofitbeingtoooppressive,legalistic,faulty,unfair,and
unreasonablebecausenoonecandothem.Whichtypeofrejectionisworse?I’m
notsureI’mequippedtorenderthatjudgment.WhatIamsureofisthattheend
resultisthesame.Awholelotofsurprisedpeoplewhowerecertaintheywerein
goodsteadwithGodfoundouttheyweren’t,aftertheirspiritualandmoral
conditionhadreachedapointofnoreturninGod’seyes.
And,justlikeforthemodernChristianChurch,itwastheforebearersofJudah’s
andIsrael’sreligiousandgovernmentleaderswhowerethefirsttowalkinthese
errors.Inotherwords,whatAmossaysishappeninginJudahandIsraelis
nothingparticularlynewotherthantheinevitableconsequences…thecursesfor
theirwrongbehavior…havefinallyarrived.Godnolongerwillbemercifully
patientnorwillHeaccepttheirrepentance…nomatterhowsincere…inlieuof
withholdingHisjudgment.
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Verse6movesontothejudgmentandcrimesofEphraim/Israel.Thefirstcrime
listedisthattheyselltheuprightforsilverandtheneedyforapairofshoes.In
Hebrewitisthattheysellthetzaddikforsilverandtheebyonforapairofna’al.
Tzaddikisbesttranslatedasrighteous,ebyonaspoor,andna’alassandals.The
ideaofthisstatementisnottosaythatpoorpeopleareautomaticallyalso
righteous(inthesenseofrighteousbeforeGod).Ratherthewaythetermisused
hereitmeansrighteousinthesenseofbeingnotguiltyofbreakinganykindof
societallaw…theywerehonestpeople.Theyweren’tcriminals.So,the
accusationisthatinnocentpeoplewerebeingsoldintoslaveryfornoother
reasonthanprofit,asopposedtothembeingsoldintobondservitudetopayoff
adebttheyhaddefaultedonorperhapsasameanstopaysomeonereparations
foracrimetheyhadcommitted.Goddespisesthefirstscenario(humanslave
trafficking),butacceptedasproperjusticethesecond(justlyadministeredbond
servitude).
Whatisthemeaningofbeingsoldforapairofsandals?Isthistobetaken
literally?Ofcoursenot.It’sliketheAmericanexpressionof“Iboughtthatcarfor
peanuts”.Peanutswasnotthemediumofexchange;thetermpeanutssimply
indicatedaridiculouslylowpricethatwasprobablyunfairtotheseller.Likewise,
beingsoldforapairofsandalswasacommonexpressioninthaterathatcarried
thesamemeaning.TheJewishTanakhscholarShalomM.Paultranslatesverses
6and7thisway,whichIthinkbetterbringsacrossintomodernEnglishthe
intentoftheoriginalHebrew:
“Becausetheyhavesoldforsilvertheinnocent,andtheneedyforhiddengain.
Theywhotrampletheheadsofthepoorintothedustoftheground,andthrust
thehumbleofftheroad.Amanandhisfathercohabitwiththesameyoung
woman,therebyprofaningMyholyname.”
Whatisbeingtalkedabouthereissocialinjustice.Unscrupulousbehaviorby
thosewealthyfewwhoalreadyhavesomuch.Thepoorwho,especiallyinBible
timesbutstilltothisday,areoftenvictimizedbybeingdefenselessagainstunfair
andunjusttreatment.AsShalomM.Paulconcludes:“Insum,theindictment
boilsdownto…..thelackofpityand(instead)contemptforhumandignity”.
WhileIagreewiththatconclusiontoapoint,mypersonaltakeisthatthis
particularaccusationisofablatantexampleofbreakingoneofthetwo
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foundationalunderpinningsofGod’sTorah,containedinbothNaturalLawand
theLawofMoses,whichistoloveyourneighborasyourself.Usingthiscase
exampleofwhatamountstonotlovingyourneighbor,itbetterillustrateswhat
wediscussedearlierabouttheuseoftheHebrewtermahav,whichtranslatesto
love.Thatis,theindictmentisnotaboutthelackofhavingwarmaffectionsfor
yourfellows.Rather,itisthatwehaveaGod-definedmoralobligationto
practicallyandtangiblydogooddeedsofmercyandcharityforothers,
regardlessofhowwemight“feelinourhearts”.Thatis,ouractionsareNOTto
beemotion-driven,butratherweareduty-boundtoperformthem.Thus,we
haveasmuchobligationtoseetothewell-beingofothersaswenaturallydo(by
humaninstinct)toseetothewell-beingofourselves.Thisisthecorrect
understandingof“loveyourneighborasyourself”.
Verse7expandsupontheindictmentagainstEphraim/Israelthatbeganinverse
6.Thewordsabouttramplingtheheadsofthepoorintothegroundareyet
anotherexpressionmeanttomakeapoint.Itmeanstosaythatthepoorare
treatedasthoughtheyweredirt;worthless.Fitonlytobeusedforthepleasure
andprofitoftheupperclass.Thewordsaboutthepoorbeingforcedfromthe
roadisbothliteralandanexpression.Itismeanttoindicatethattheupper
classesstandinthewayofprogress…orprobablymoretheintentoftheauthor
istohighlightthepoorbeingdeniedjusticeinthecourtsoflaw;theypreventthe
needyfrombetteringtheirsituation.Withoutdoubttherewerealsoregular
instancesofthearistocratclassliterallyforcingthelowerclassesoffthe
highwayssothattheycouldpassunimpeded.
Thematteraboutfatherandsonsharingthesameyoungwomanisallabout
violatingGod’ssexualpuritylaws.Iwanttotaketheremainderofourtime
togethertodaytogotoGod’smorallawcodetoseeexactlywhatHeordains
aboutsexualmorality;first,thelawsthemselves,thensecondtheconsequences
forbreakingthoselaws.Donoteverthinkthatsomehoworanothertheadvent
ofJesushaschangedanyofthis;thisappliestoeveryhumanbeingonearth.
First,thelawsofsexualpurity.
CJB
Leviticus18:1-24ADONAIsaidtoMoshe,
2
"SpeaktothepeopleofIsra'el;
tellthem,'IamADONAIyourGod.
3
Youarenottoengageintheactivitiesfound
inthelandofEgypt,whereyouusedtolive;andyouarenottoengageinthe
Lesson3-AmosChapters1&2
13/13
activitiesfoundinthelandofKena'an,whereIambringingyou;norareyouto
livebytheirlaws.
4
Youaretoobeymyrulingsandlawsandliveaccordingly;I
amADONAIyourGod.
5
Youaretoobservemylawsandrulings;ifapersondoes
them,hewillhavelifethroughthem;IamADONAI.
6
"'Noneofyouisto
approachanyonewhoisacloserelativeinordertohavesexualrelations;Iam
ADONAI.
7
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyourfather,andyouarenot
tohavesexualrelationswithyourmother.Sheisyourmother-donothave
sexualrelationswithher.
8
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyourfather's
wife;thatisyourfather'sprerogative.
9
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswith
yoursister,thedaughterofyourfatherorthedaughterofyourmother,whether
bornathomeorelsewhere.Donothavesexualrelationswiththem.
10
Youare
nottohavesexualrelationswithyourson'sdaughterorwithyourdaughter's
daughter.Donothavesexualrelationswiththem,becausetheirsexualdisgrace
willbeyourown.
11
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyourfather'swife's
daughter,borntoyourfather,becausesheisyoursister;donothavesexual
relationswithher.
12
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyourfather'ssister,
becausesheisyourfather'scloserelative.
13
Youarenottohavesexualrelations
withyourmother'ssister,becausesheisyourmother'scloserelative.
14
Youare
nottodisgraceyourfather'sbrotherbyhavingsexualrelationswithhiswife,
becausesheisyouraunt.
15
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyour
daughter-in-law;becausesheisyourson'swife.Donothavesexualrelations
withher.
16
Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithyourbrother'swife,because
thisisyourbrother'sprerogative.
17
"'Youarenottohavesexualrelationswith
bothawomanandherdaughter,norareyoutohavesexualrelationswithher
son'sdaughterorherdaughter'sdaughter;theyarecloserelativesofhers,and
itwouldbeshameful.
18
Youarenottotakeawomantobearivalwithhersister
andhavesexualrelationswithherwhilehersisterisstillalive.
19
Youarenotto
approachawomaninordertohavesexualrelationswithherwhensheisunclean
fromhertimeofniddah.
20
Youarenottogotobedwithyourneighbor'swifeand
thusbecomeuncleanwithher.
21
"'Youarenottoletanyofyourchildrenbe
sacrificedtoMolekh,therebyprofaningthenameofyourGod;IamADONAI.
22
"'Youarenottogotobedwithamanaswithawoman;itisanabomination.
23
"'Youarenottohavesexualrelationswithanykindofanimalandthusbecome
uncleanwithit;norisanywomantopresentherselftoananimaltohavesexual
relationswithit;itisperversion.
24
"'Donotmakeyourselvesuncleanbyanyof
Lesson3-AmosChapters1&2
14/13
thesethings,becauseallthenationswhichIamexpellingaheadofyouare
defiledwiththem.
Nowthepenaltiesforbreakingtheselawsofsexualpurity:
CJB
Leviticus20:10-23
10
"'Ifamancommitsadulterywithanotherman'swife,
thatis,withthewifeofafellowcountryman,boththeadultererandthe
adulteressmustbeputtodeath.
11
Themanwhogoestobedwithhisfather's
wifehasdisgracedhisfathersexually,andbothofthemmustbeputtodeath;
theirbloodisonthem.
12
Ifamangoestobedwithhisdaughter-in-law,bothof
themmustbeputtodeath;theyhavecommittedaperversion,andtheirblood
isonthem.
13
Ifamangoestobedwithamanaswithawoman,bothofthem
havecommittedanabomination;theymustbeputtodeath;theirbloodison
them.
14
Ifamanmarriesawomanandhermother,itisdepravity;theyaretobe
puttodeathbyfire,bothheandthey,sothattherewillnotbedepravityamong
you.
15
Ifamanhassexualrelationswithananimal,hemustbeputtodeath,and
youaretokilltheanimal.
16
Ifawomanapproachesananimalandhassexual
relationswithit,youaretokillthewomanandtheanimal;theirbloodwillbeon
them.
17
Ifamantakeshissister,hisfather'sdaughterorhismother'sdaughter,
andhassexualrelationswithher,andsheconsents,itisashamefulthing;they
aretobecutoffpublicly-hehashadsexualrelationswithhissister,andhewill
beartheconsequencesoftheirwrongdoing.
18
Ifamangoestobedwitha
womaninhermenstrualperiodandhassexualrelationswithher,hehas
exposedthesourceofherblood,andshehasexposedthesourceofherblood;
bothofthemaretobecutofffromtheirpeople.
19
Youarenottohavesexual
relationswithyourmother'ssisteroryourfather'ssister;apersonwhodoesthis
hashadsexualrelationswithhiscloserelative;theywillbeartheconsequences
oftheirwrongdoing.
20
Ifamangoestobedwithhisuncle'swife,hehas
disgracedhisunclesexually;theywillbeartheconsequencesoftheirsinanddie
childless.
21
Ifamantakeshisbrother'swife,itisuncleanness;hehasdisgraced
hisbrothersexually;theywillbechildless.
22
"'Youaretoobserveallmy
regulationsandrulingsandactonthem,sothatthelandtowhichIambringing
youwillnotvomityouout.
23
DonotlivebytheregulationsofthenationwhichI
amexpellingaheadofyou;becausetheydidallthesethings,whichiswhyI
detestedthem.
Lesson3-AmosChapters1&2
15/13
Ponderoverthenextfewdayshowthisallcomparestothewaysthatmodern
Westernsociety,andevensomebranchesofthemodernChristianChurch,now
definessexualmorality.We’llcontinuewithAmoschapter2nexttime.