Good Times, Bad Times (2 of 3)
It took weeks for the crowd to assemble. The environs of Samaria were flooded with humanity. But there was orderliness as they all gathered in a large amphitheater in order to hear the message. Feet shuffled along the hillside. Parents herded children to their places. Nursing mothers found comfortable spots to care for and feed their infants. Finally, once everyone was in place, all eyes turned to the solitary figure below them, standing in the center of the stage. As he raised his hands above his head, the sounds of human traffic quieted. The hum ceased. With four words he began to preach—the very four words that guaranteed this message did not come from him, but from God.
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Damascus,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have threshed Gilead
with threshing sledges of iron.
So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael,
and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.
and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden;
and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,”
says the Lord.
The crowd sat in stunned silence. Heads swiveled back and forth looking at their neighbors to their right and left in tentative disbelief. Could this be? A low mumble began as the crowd sought confirmation for what they had just heard. “Did he just say what I think he said? Damascus is going to be judged?” Electricity began to course through the crowd. On many a face could be seen the beginnings of a smile. Then the prophet raised his hands again, and all eyes locked on Amos in eager expectation as his voice rose in earnest…
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Gaza,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they carried into exile a whole people
to deliver them up to Edom.
So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,
and it shall devour her strongholds.
I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod,
and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon;
I will turn my hand against Ekron,
and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,”
says the Lord God.
The electricity intensified. Shouts of “Hallelujah” could be heard scattered throughout the crowd. Yes, the Philistines! Those brutal persecutors, kidnappers, and slavelords. They who defiled the Ark. Many turned to the southwest shaking their fists and crying out, “Aha! You are getting yours now!” The people harrumphed in triumph as they began to smell the sweet aroma of justice. “The LORD’s favor is upon us.” As they celebrated, Amos again thrusted his arms skyward and shouted…..
Thus says the Lord:
“For three transgressions of Tyre,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they delivered up a whole people to Edom,
and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.
So I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre,
and it shall devour her strongholds.”
Whoa! Tyre! By now the people did not even try to contain their emotion. Tears of joy began to flow as they looked at one another, nodding in apprehension of what the prophet had come to do. “Israel is God’s, and God is Israel’s!” bellowed several. Fists and faces wagged to the northwest, “You wicked, insolent slave traders! Ha! Let’s see what you think now!” And the prophet struck his now-familiar pose, and again his voice rang out…