Fiery Punishment

Key verse: “But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof” (Amos 1:10).

Prophet Amos’ message announces   that God has absolute control over the entire universe. He watches over all the nations, whether it is Israel which He chose as His people or such heathen lands as Moab, Edom or Tyrus. God judges these heathen as well as the backsliding Israel. Amos thus began by denouncing the countries that were neighbors of Israel. After opening with Damascus, Amos attacked Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon and Moab.
    Their transgressions included wickedness (Damascus), human trafficking (Gaza and Tyrus), vindictiveness (Edom), greed (Ammon) and bitter dislike of other people. These nations assumed that the God of Israel had no business stepping into the affairs of people outside the confines of Israeli territory. But from the prophecy delivered to Amos and revelation of other parts of scriptures, we learn that this is fatal fallacy.
    God expects righteous living from every man or woman. He has one law for all in every place because He created all things. When man fell He made a plan of salvation, a once-and-for-all propitiation according to Hebrews 9:22. Everyone who desires to have pardon and make peace with God is urged to take advantage of that substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus. Only then can one escape the judgment of God.
    Amos warns in our text today that punishment by fire awaits those nations cited above who went about their way without reckoning that God was watching over all the lands He created. God said that as they were fiery in their passion for iniquity, heaven would release a greater fire that would consume them. The same fate awaits  unrepentant sinners and backsliders who are as stubborn in  wickedness and rebellion. It is a punishment that would also fall upon the careless believer who handles Biblical warning with levity.

Thought for the day: God’s laws applies to both the redeemed and the sinner.