Judgment Against Edom Amos 1:11

Amos the prophet continued to share the LORD's judgments upon the enemies of Israel and Judah which included, “Damascus, Aven, Syria, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron and the remnant of the Philistines”. He also shared concerning “Tyrus”, and as we read in chapter one and verse eleven of his prophesy, he wrote about the judgment of “Edom”.

Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

The verse begins, “Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof;” Amos began with the words, “Thus says” or “utters, proclaims and declares” “the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the one true God”; “for three transgressions” or “the three or a triad of rebellions and willful sins” “of Edom” which means “red” and was “the descendants of Esau in the land of Idumea which was south and south east of Palestine”, “and for four” which means “four transgressions”, “I will not turn away” or “the LORD will not return, turn back, refresh, restore or repair” “the punishment thereof” which means “the treading out, trampling on or being broken and torn”. “The LORD” would not “relent” of the judgment He planed for “Edom” because of their “four transgressions” against Him.

The verse goes on to say, “because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:” Amos continued, “because he did pursue” which means “follow after, pursue, persecute, run after, chase and harass” “his brother” or “relatives and kinship ” “with the sword” which refers to “a knife or tool for cutting”, “and did cast off” or “destroy, corrupt, ruin, spoiled and rotted” “all pity” which means “compassion, cherishing, mercy and tender love” “and his anger” or “the wrinkled face, countenance, forbearing and rapid breathing” and ” “did tear” which means “rend, pluck and to be torn in pieces” “perpetually” or “for perpetuity, forever and in the continuing future”, “and he kept” or “guarding, observing and giving heed to” “his wrath” which means “outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, arrogance and rage” “for ever” or “in eminence, strength, victory, enduring and everlastingness”. The “four transgressions” of “Edom” were “pursuing Israel and Judah with the sword”, “perpetual anger that tore them in pieces”, not having compassion upon them and being “arrogantly excessive in rage” against them.

When we think through these words of Amos, we see the sins of “Edom” who were the relatives of Israel and Judah. They should have had compassion and pity upon them, but they didn't, and rather than giving them aid, they became enemies themselves. Those who come against the people of God and Jesus Christ should beware when they read this verse. Though the “wrath” of “the LORD” is kept back by His loving nature for a long time, when it is poured out, those who have opposed Him shall reap their reward. We must keep ourselves in the love of God and in a relationship with His Son Jesus, and lest we gain the results of “Edom”, may we always align ourselves with Him, His people and His dear Son Jesus.

Next time Amos shares how God will “send a fire upon Teman”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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