A Fire upon Teman Amos 1:12

Amos the “herdsman” was commissioned by “the LORD” to pronounce judgment upon the enemies of Israel and Judah which included “Damascus, Aven, Syria, Gaza, Tyrus, and Edom”. In chapter one and verse twelve of his prophecy, Amos declared how the LORD will “send a fire on Teman” where we read:

But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

The verse begins, “But I will send a fire upon Teman,...” Amos began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “I will send” or “stretch out, extend, direct and let loose” “a fire” which means “flames and supernatural fire” “upon Teman” which means “south” and was “the tribe descended from one noted for the wisdom of its people”. “The LORD” was to “direct and let loose” His “flames and supernatural fire” upon “Teman” whose inhabitants were against His people.

The verse goes on to say, “...which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.” Amos continued, “which shall devour” or “burn up, consume and destroy” “the palaces” which means “citadels, castles and palaces” “of Bozrah” which means “sheepfold” and was “a town in Edom”. The results of “The LORD's” “flames and supernatural fire” would be the “destruction” of “Bozrah”.

When we consider these words of Amos, we see once again the judgment that is brought upon those who oppose the people of “the LORD”. We must align ourselves with the ways of Jesus Christ, and any variance from this may be in total opposition to God Himself. It is interesting to consider that the people from “Teman” must have thought themselves doing good when they opposed God's people, but they only brought upon themselves the judgment of God. Let us consider our ways and discover whether we have come against Jesus Christ and God's people in any way, and if we have, let us repent before His “flames and supernatural fire” fall upon us as well.

Next time Amos shares how God will judgment upon “Ammon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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