Israel's Manifold Transgressions and Mighty Sins Amos 5:12

Amos the “herdsman” prophet continued to share the LORD's indictment against the people of Israel. They “hated him that rebukes in the gate”; They “abhor him that speaks uprightly”, and as they “tread upon the poor” by “taking from him burdens of wheat”, the LORD promised though they built “houses of hewn stone”, the would not live in them, and though they planted “vineyards”, they would not “drink wine of them”. In chapter five and verse twelve of his prophesy, Amos declared how the LORD knew their “manifold transgressions” and their “mighty sins” where we read:

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.

The verse begins, “For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins:” Amos began with the words, “For I know” which means “perceives, sees, was acquainted with and discerns” “your manifold” or “many, great and abundant” “transgressions” which refers to “rebellions, revolts and trespasses” “and your mighty” or “vast, numerous and countless” “sins” which means “offenses and habitual conditions of guilt”. The LORD knew the “abundant rebellious acts” and “countless offenses” committed by the people of Israel.

The verse continues, “they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.” Amos added, “they afflict” which means “distress, make narrow, besiege, straighten and bind” “the just” or “the lawful and righteous in conduct”, “they take” or “fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive and acquire” “a bribe” which means “a ransom, covering, satisfaction and sum of money”, “And they turn aside” or “extend, spread out, pervert, incline and bend” “the poor” which refers to “those in want, need, destitute and begging” “in the gate” or “in the marketplace, meeting place and court of the tabernacle” “from their right” which means “justice and righteousness”. The LORD lists two of those offenses as “distressing righteous people” and “receiving bribes” so the poor did not receive “justice” for wrongs committed against them.

When we consider these words of Amos, we understand there is nothing hidden before the eyes of God. Perhaps the people of Israel thought no one knew or cared about their “many rebellious acts and sins”, and they may have concluded their ways were “approved” by God since they escaped judgment for a period of time. However, this verse tells us quite the opposite. God knows all, sees all and quantifies all that is “righteous” and “unrighteous”. This is reason He sent Jesus. We all “have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, and there is “none righteous, no not one”. Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sin by dying on the cross, and those who believe in, rely upon, trust in and cling to Him will be those who are saved. Those who do not believe shall not. May we consider the manner we handle “disadvantaged”, and let us always trust in Jesus' death and resurrection for our Salvation.

Next time Amos tells Israel how “the prudent shall keep silence”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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