Strengthening the Spoiled Amos 5:9

Amos the prophet shared the LORD's words for Israel to “seek him that makes the seven stars and Orion”, who “makes the day dark with night” and “calls the waters of the sea and pours them on the face of the earth”. In other words, they should “Seek” the Creative and Sustaining God who is “the LORD”. In chapter five and verse nine of his prophesy, Amos shares more of the attributes of the LORD as he refers to the way He “strengthens the spoiled against the strong” where we read:

That strengthens the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.

The verse begins, “That strengthens the spoiled against the strong,...” Amos began with the words, “That strengthens” or “gleams toward, smiles on and looks pleasant to” “the spoiled” which refers to “the violent, destroyed, devastated and ruined” “against the strong” which means “in opposition to and opposed to the mighty, fierce, greedy and powerful”. The LORD extends power to whomever He desires, and in this case, the “devastated and ruined” were those upon whom He “smiled”.

The verse continues, “...so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.” Amos added, “so that the spoiled” or “the violent, destroyed, devastated and ruined” “shall come” which means “go in, enter, attain and be enumerated” “against the fortress” or “fortification, fortified city and stronghold”. When the LORD provided His power to those who were “devastated and ruined”, they were able to withstand and enter into Israel's fortresses.

When we think through these words of Amos, we notice the LORD's power and His discretion as to whom He provides it. The Creator God is Almighty, and when He endues a people with His power, no one can stand against them. The LORD's appeal was for the people of Israel to “seek” Him, and He implored them to recognize His Almighty powers and abilities to do so. Yet still, they forsook the LORD. God sent His Son Jesus to save people from their sins, and He was the agent of Creation with full power and ability as God,. Still people reject His offering to receive Him as Savior and LORD. May we realize the awesome power of Almighty God and receive the offering of His Son Jesus before He strengthens “the spoiled” in opposition to us.

Next time Amos tells Israel how they “hate him that rebukes in the gate, and they abhor him that speaks uprightly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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