Amos 5 Commentary

Amos laments the destruction of Israel and predicts a casualty rate of 90 percent. In the prime of her youthful vigor, the nation Israel will be devastated, and nobody will rescue her.

Although the nation Israel will be destroyed in the prime of her youth, Amos calls Israel to seek God so that they may live.

Having called individuals in Israel to seek God so that they may live, Amos portrays the LORD as the sovereign God who controls everything in the world.

Amos once again accuses Israel of practicing injustice, which violates His covenant with Israel. For this reason, God will judge His covenant people.

While pronouncing judgment on the kingdom of Israel, Amos tells individuals that the possibility for repentance is still available. They are to set themselves apart from their wicked nation to seek good so that they may live.

Amos tells the people that God’s judgment will bring widespread lamentation because many people will be dead when God passes through their land.

Amos again announces judgment on the unrepentant Israel. The people of God will experience the day of the LORD and it will be a day of darkness, not of light; a day of judgment, not of rejoicing.

Amos reports what the LORD says to His covenant people. The LORD rejects Israel’s false worship and states He will send them into exile beyond Damascus.