Judgment Upon Ammon's King Amos 1:15

Amos the “herdsman” prophet pronounced judgment from the LORD upon the enemies of Israel and Judah. Among them were, “Damascus, Aven, Syria, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, the remnant of the Philistines, Edom, Tyrus and Ammon”, and as we close the first chapter of Amos' prophesy, we see how he shared that Ammon's “ruler” and “his men”would also be “exiled” as the LORD judged them, where we read:

And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

The verse begins, “And their king shall go into captivity,...” Amos began with the words, “And their king” which refers to “the people of Ammon's royal one” “shall go” or “depart, proceed, move and go away” “into captivity” which means “into exile and removing”. The result of God “kindling a fire in the wall of Rabbah” (the capital city of Ammon) was their “chief ruler” would be “exiled”.

The verse continues, “...he and his princes together, says the LORD.” Amos added, “he and his princes” which refers to “the king and his leaders, chiefs, officials, vassals, nobles and officials” “together” which means “all in union and unitedness”, “says” or “utters, declares and proclaims” “the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”. Not only would the “king” be “exiled” when God's judgment came, so would all those who sat under his leadership.

When we consider these words of Amos, we see how expansive the judgment of “the LORD” is when He brings it. Not only would the land and people be affected by God's “punishment”, so would the “ruler” and those in authority. Jesus told Pilate, “you could have no power at all against me, except it were given to you from above”, and anyone who is in a position of authority should note the results for those who have come against God Almighty, His Son Jesus and His people. May we all heed and be humble before the LORD when we have been given “authority” lest we be like the captive “king and his men”.

Next time we begin a new chapter in Amos' prophesy and see him share how God will punish “Moab”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.