The rest of the book of Amos is spoken against the nation of Israel. The Lord was especially hard on them because they were the people who had received God’s call. This meant they had a special responsibility toward him. The Lord asked Israel several questions which were meant to illustrate a cause-and-effect relationship between God’s judgment and the people’s sin. Why do the people tremble? Because the trumpet sounded. Why do the people prophesy? Because the Lord has spoken. Why has God’s judgment come to them? Because they had sinned against him. God cannot abide with sin. When he sees unrepented sin, he punishes it.

The sins of Israel that the Lord rebukes through Amos are the sins of opulence and greed. Their greed caused them to plunder and loot, filling their fortresses with ill-gotten gain. The Lord called on Philistia (Ashdod) and Egypt as witness against Israel (9). So the Lord would send Assyria to plunder Israel’s wealth. Their judgment would lead to their destruction as a nation. When we hear the Lord’s voice, we should listen and prophesy to others.
Application: Father, help us to repent our greed for wealth. Bless our nation to turn to you and hear you when you speak.
One Word: The Lord speaks, who can but prophesy?