Amos 2

1 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Moab, I will punish them. They burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime.

2 So I will send fire on Moab that will destroy the strong buildings of the city of Kerioth. The people of Moab will die in a great noise, in the middle of the sounds of war and trumpets.

3 So I will bring an end to the king of Moab, and I will kill all its leaders with him," says the Lord.

4 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Judah, I will punish them. and did not keep his commands; they followed the same gods as their ancestors had followed.

5 So I will send fire on Judah, and it will destroy the strong buildings of Jerusalem."

6 This is what the Lord says: "For the many crimes of Israel, I will punish them. For silver, they sell people who have done nothing wrong; they sell the poor to buy a pair of sandals.

7 They walk on poor people as if they were dirt, and they refuse to be fair to those who are suffering. Fathers and sons have sexual relations with the same woman, and so they ruin my holy name.

8 As they worship at their altars, they lie down on clothes taken from the poor. They fine people, and with that money they buy wine to drink in the house of their god.

9 "But it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them, who were tall like cedar trees and as strong as oaks -- I destroyed them completely.

10 It was I who brought you from the land of Egypt and led you for forty years through the desert so I could give you the land of the Amorites.

11 I made some of your children to be prophets and some of your young people to be Nazirites. People of Israel, isn't this true?" says the Lord.

12 "But you made the Nazirites drink wine and told the prophets not to prophesy.

13 Now I will make you get stuck, as a wagon loaded with grain gets stuck.

14 No one will escape, not even the fastest runner. Strong people will not be strong enough; warriors will not be able to save themselves.

15 Soldiers with bows and arrows will not stand and fight, and even fast runners will not get away; soldiers on horses will not escape alive.

16 At that time even the bravest warriors will run away without their armor," says the Lord.

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Amos 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

Judgments against Moab and Judah. (1-8) The ingratitude and ruin of Israel. (9-16)

Verses 1-8 The evil passions of the heart break out in various forms; but the Lord looks to our motives, as well as our conduct. Those that deal cruelly, shall be cruelly dealt with. Other nations were reckoned with for injuries done to men; Judah is reckoned with for dishonour done to God. Judah despised the law of the Lord; and he justly gave them up to strong delusion; nor was it any excuse for their sin, that they were the lies, the idols, after which their fathers walked. The worst abominations and most grievous oppressions have been committed by some of the professed worshippers of the Lord. Such conduct leads many to unbelief and vile idolatry.

Verses 9-16 We need often to be reminded of the mercies we have received; which add much to the evil of the sins we have committed. They had helps for their souls, which taught them how to make good use of their earthly enjoyments, and were therefore more valuable. Faithful ministers are great blessings to any people; but it is God that raises them up to be so. Sinners' own consciences will witness that he has not been wanting to them in the means of grace. They did what they could to lead believers aside. Satan and his agents are busy to corrupt the minds of young people who look heavenward; they overcome many by drawing them to the love of mirth and pleasure, and into drinking company. Multitudes of young men who bade fair as professors of religion, have erred through strong drink, and have been undone for ever. The Lord complains of sin, especially the sins of his professing people, as a burden to him. And though his long-suffering be tired, his power is not, and so the sinner will find to his cost. When men reject God's word, adding obstinacy to sin, and this becomes the general character of a people, they will be given up to misery, notwithstanding all their boasted power and resources. May we then humble ourselves before the Lord, for all our ingratitude and unfaithfulness.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 2

In this chapter the prophet foretells the calamities that should come upon the Moabites for their transgressions, Am 2:1-3; and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for their iniquities, Am 2:4,5; also the judgments of God that should come upon Israel the ten tribes for their sins, which sins are enumerated; their oppression of the poor, their lewdness and idolatry, Am 2:6-8; and which are aggravated by the blessings of goodness bestowed upon them, both temporal and spiritual, Am 2:9-12; wherefore they are threatened with ruin, which would be inevitable, notwithstanding their swiftness, strength, and courage, and their skill in shooting arrows, and riding horses, Am 2:13-16.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible