AMOS

Amos Chapter 4

• Amos 4:1  Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink. 
• 2  The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. 

This actually happened. Bashan had very rich soil and very fertile. The oppressors were like strong beasts that harmed the weaker beasts. Many times oppression of the poor is caused by over taxation or by covetness. Those in power and authority ruled by cruelty and greed rather than being concerned about the welfare of the poor. Happy is any country that is ruled by someone with compassion.

Years ago I saw someone's property tax bill who was a farmer and was shocked how high it was. Surely they didn't need to be taxed that much. Those that received the taxes were not the ones who labored by tilling the soil, planting the seeds, weeding, and harvesting.

Later I happened to run accross some videos of many in Europe protesting against the government for trying to shut the farmers down. Some myth about climate change or something. The streets were full of people protesting the governments oppression.

I can't understand why everyone just don't let everyone else alone and let them make a living. In Pennsylvannia an Amish farmer is harassed by the government because they are trying to stop him from farming the way he always did before the agencies started meddling in private homes far beyond what the government was created to do. He prefers to have raw milk and do things the way the Amish have always done things. They took away all his stuff and he is persecuted heavily.

God sees all these things.

• Amos 4:3 And ye shall go out at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the LORD. 
• 4 Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: 
• 5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. 

God uses His prophets to plead with them to return to Him and forsake their sins. Here is mentioned their great sins of oppressing the poor. People think that God dwells in Heaven somewhere unconcerned about what goes on here on earth. That is if they believe in God at all. We will all stand before God in judgment. He does see. Oppressing the poor is a very high national sin.

• Amos 4:6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 
  7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. 
  8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 
  9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 

Many times lack of rain and famine is judgment from the Lord. So also is mildew. When a nation serves the Lord and are faithful to Him, all areas of that nation are blessed. Without God's hand of protection, anything can happen. There is no protection outside of God. No one is going to get away with oppressing innocent hard working people.

• Amos 4:10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 
• 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 
• 12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. 
• 13  For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name. 

This is why a nation that continue forsakes God and turns to evil will eventually be overthrown and the nation is lost. God is our creator. He loves us but He cannot allow sin to continue forever. Now some under the pretense of giving to the poor will overtax the rich but most of it goes into their own pockets. I realize this was a warning to the nation of Israel in those days but we can learn from these words to Israel not to do the same things.

The best way to help the poor is to help them learn to work and make a living for their families. Not by over taxing and profiting from their labor like in the days of slavery. Government handouts that are just enough to keep them voting but doesn't help them get out of poverty; is not the way to go.

God sees all these things and will bring judgment. All the prophecy spoken of here was fulfilled. But all these things didn't have to happen.

God has a better way but He gives us choices. He doesn't want puppets. We need to love God and follow Him, not to receive riches but just because we love God. We can learn to love who God is, what God stands for, learn His word and love His presence. When a person just believes God, receives His way of salvation through faith in Jesus, the Son of God, it is awesome. Sure we have troubles, persecution at times because of our faith but oh in eternity, we will live forever in God's presence and no one can harm us ever again. I want to be have the Lord with me always. -DC

Amos Chapter 5