Duration ca. 11 minutes. 2nd of 2 clips on the subject. Amos chs. 4 to 9. The Jews of Israel and the Ten Tribes have different tasks. Amos warns both sections of the Israelite Nation to repent and to do what they each have to do. To Read Text Please Scroll Down.
The womenfolk of the Israelites of Bashan and Samaria with their exorbitant demands and wasteful lifestyles cause their husbands to make dishonest gains that reduce the livelihood of others who cannot afford to loose what is taken away from them (4:1). Israelites will be taken away into exile in stages: One portion will be taken overseas in different types of shipping vessel (4:2) while another will go overland to other regions (4:3). The Israelites were gong to Bethel and Gilgal and engaging in both Hebraic and Pagan practices at one and the same time (4:4-5). God had begun to punish the people yet they had not returned unto Him (4:6). The Beginning of Retribution had been by way of local disasters with one location suffering visitation and another not (4:7-11). These were all warnings and Israel must prepare to meet its God (4:12) who knows our innermost thoughts (4:13). Only a tenth of the peoples will remain (5:3). Seek God and live and avoid pagan syncretism (5:5). The house of Joseph is being warned (5:6). Much of your prosperity is dishonest and derived from the oppression of others and therefore you shall not long enjoy it (5:11). If you seek good and not evil you will live and God will be with you (5:14). The "Remnant of Joseph" is called upon to hate evil and love the good and establish judgment in your settlements (5:15). The End Times will bring Tribulation and should not be hoped for (5:18). [We all have a tendency after studying the Prophets etc to WANT to see the events come to pass, even the bad ones - BUT God does not want it. If we repent and do good things can change for the better. This is what we should all strive for]. God is not pleased with us or with the way we worship (5:21). The Israelites worshipped Siccuth (translated as "Tabernacle" 5:26), and Kiun. The Israelites were to be taken into captivity beyond Damascus (5:27) meaning to an area beyond the Euphrates River (and not the present city of Damascus in Syria which should be Israelite territory) as we have written elsewhere.
The Jews of Israel are warned NOT to trust in the USA! Those who dwell in Zion (the present-day Israelis?) but trust in the Mountain of Samaria (6:1, i.e. the present-day USA?) are condemned. Look at the calamities that came upon other nations (6:2). Do you really think you are immune while you wallow in the good life at the expense of others and disregard the affliction of Joseph meaning all the Ten Tribes? (6:3-6). You shall go into captivity (6:5). The "Excellency of Jacob" (Union Jack=UK, Yank=USA) is abhorred (6:8). There will come a time of mass slaughter and recalling the name of the God of Israel will be forbidden (6:10). We still think we are strong because we have just defeated "walk-over" opponents (6:13). A nation will rise against us that will afflict us throughout our border (6:14). The calamity will be so great that there will be a fear that Jacob will never be able to recover (7:1-5) but God will relent and leave us something to grow from (7:3,6, 8). Amos was warned to desist from prophesying at Beth-el which was then the capital of the Northern Kingdom (7:13). Amos replied with prophesy against Northern Israel which he referred to as "Israel" and "the House of Isaac" (7:16 meaning the "Anglo-Saxons" and their kinfolk) saying they would go into captivity (7:17) amidst great slaughter (7:17). Celestial disturbances will take place (8:9). People will seek the truth and not find it (8:11-12). The idols of Samaria (the USA?), of Dan (Scandinavia?), and Beer Sheba (the Irish?) will be cast aside (8:14). Though you make shelters deep in the earth or send ships out in to space calamity will still overtake you if you do not repent (9:2). Even after being taken in to Captivity disasters will still pursue the Israelites (9:4-5). What difference is there between you and other peoples? (9:7). What makes you better than them? The House of Israel will be sifted among the nations like sand in a sieve and none will be lost (9:9). The sinners of Israel, and those who claimed that nothing bad would happen if we continue to sin, will be killed (9:10).
Finally The Kingdom of David will be restored (9:11). The Israelites will take possession of the rest of the world beginning with Europe (Edom 9:12). The Exiles will return (after conquering the other nations? 9:14). After this return they will never be exiled again (9:15).
