Am 9:1-10

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No possibility of escape (Am 9:1-10)

In the final vision God causes a shrine to collapse on the heads of the worshippers. The picture is that of God’s judgment on the people of Israel because of their false religion (Am 9:1).

None will escape his judgment. No place is beyond his reach (Am 9:2-4).

He is the God of nature, the controller of the universe. He has the power to carry out his plans (Am 9:5-6).

Some Israelites might object that this could not happen to them, because they are God’s chosen people. He brought them out of Egypt and he would not send them into a foreign country again. Amos points out that past blessings are not a guarantee of present safety. God directed the movements of other nations, not just Israel, but when people are sinful he will punish them, regardless of their nationality.

In this matter Israelites have no advantage over people of other nationalities, such as Ethiopians, Philistines or Syrians. God will destroy Israel, but he will preserve the minority within Israel who remain faithful to him. Through these he will fulfil his purposes (Am 9:7-8).

Amos gives a final picture of the certain judgment that is to fall on the sinful Israelites. As no pebble or other worthless matter falls through a sieve, so no sinner will escape God’s judgment. If people think that because they are Israelites they will not experience God’s judgment, they are only deceiving themselves (Am 9:9-10).