The Judgment of Ammon Amos 1:13

The enemies of Israel and Judah had taken cruel advantage of them, and Amos was commissioned to declare God's judgment against those foes. “Damascus, Aven, Syria, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom and Teman” were all opponents to the people of God, and God was to take His vengeance out upon them. In chapter one and verse thirteen of his prophesy, Amos added the judgment of “Ammon” to His list of those who were His enemies where we read:

Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:

The verse begins, “Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, 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 the children” or “sons or grandsons” “of Ammon” which means “tribal” and was “a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”, “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 “the children of Ammon” because of their “four transgressions” against Him.

The verse goes on to say, “ because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:” Amos continued, “because” or “since, by reason or account of” “they have ripped up” or “split, cleaved, broken, opened, divided and torn” “the women” which refers to “the females” “with child” or “pregnant and those who have conceived” “of Gilead” which means “rocky region” and was “a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon”, “that they might enlarge” or “to grow wide and large” “their border” which means “territory or region which is enclosed within a boundary”. Ammon's sins were related to killing vulnerable and pregnant women so they could expand their territory into the land of “Gilead”.

When we consider these words of Amos, we realize how ruthless some people can be. The people of Ammon were pitiless and unmerciful even with women who were with child as they took over the land of “Gilead”, and all because they wanted more land. We are amazed what people will forfeit just to have more “stuff” or “things”. Thieves and robbers steal from others who are vulnerable just because they desire to please themselves, and they have no compassion upon those they hurt. Jesus Christ wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, and we are to be compassionate toward others and not use them for our own devises. May the LORD God lead us into a life that is pleasing to Him, to not be like selfish Ammon, and learn to love others as we love ourselves.

Next time Amos shares how God “will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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