The Time Will Surely Come, Amos3:9-4:3

 The Time Will Surely Come, 

Amos 3:9-4:3

9 “ Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, 

‘Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst.’

10 “ They do not know how to do right,” declares the Lord, “those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds .”

11 Therefore thus says the Lord God; “An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered.”

12 Thus says the Lord:

“As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. 

13 “Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord God, the God of hosts, 

14”that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altar of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. 

15 I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the house of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end,” declares the Lord. 

4:1 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’

2 The Lord God has sworn by His holiness that, behold, the days are coming upon you, 

when they shall take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishhooks. 

3 And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon,” declares the Lord.

Reflection :

God calls Ashdod and Egypt- pagan nations- to serve as witnesses against Israel. Although these nations themselves are far from righteous, God uses them to highlight the shocking corruption of His own people. Israel was chosen to reflect God’s Holiness, but instead, they have embraced violence and greed. Their society is full of oppression(3:10), they crush the poor and needy(4;1), and live in luxurious palaces, indulging in comfort and exess(3:15).

This judgment is not vague - it is personal and inevitable. God says, “The time will come.” The very same violence and oppression they committed will be returned upon them. The imagery of a shepherd rescuing only two legs or an ear from a lion(3:12) underscores the totality of destruction coming. God is just. He will not overlook the suffering inflicted on the vulnerable. Let those with power use it to serve others. Let the weak remember God’s justice and find strength to live in faith today. 

Application :

This message is not only for Israel in the past, but for us today. God’s warning come before judgment. He sends prophets, gives signs, and pleads with His people to turn back. Are we listening?

Are we using what we’ve been given for love and justice-or for selfish gain?

Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to reevaluate our comfort, privilege, and indifference to the cries of the poor. May we not be like Bethel’s altar, still standing in ritual, but empty of righteousness. May we live in true worship expressed through justice, compassion, and humility.