#DailyDevotion The LORD Will Avenge His Church
Amos 1 9 The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of Tyre I will not change it. Because they handed over all their captives to Edom without thinking of their brotherly agreement, 10 I will hurl fire on Tyre’s wall, and it will burn down its palaces.”
Every nation has its problems. It is probably more disturbing when nations that you thought were your friends turn out not to be the case when you are down. Such is the case with Tyre. Great friends of Israel during David and Solomon’s reign apparently meant little when a buck was to be made. When Israel and Judah fell prey, they took captive or bought captive Israelites and sold them to Edom. Remember, earthly arraignments are just that and at the drop of a hat they can and will most likely fall apart given the right circumstances. We therefore should always and only put our trust in the LORD. The LORD would punish Tyre for their sin.
11 The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of Edom I will not change it. Because he hunted his brother with a sword, squelching any pity, always tearing at the object of his anger, and nursing his grudge forever, 12 I will hurl fire into Teman, and it will burn down Bozrah’s palaces.”
Edom was Israel’s brother, being descendants of Esau. While Esau received Jacob back when he returned to the land, the relationships between their descendants were never good. Edom saw the weakness of their brother and struck them down. Edom went after his brother’s people with the tools of war, killing many, taking into slavery others. When Israel first returned to the Promised Land the LORD forbade them from taking their land and making war with them. Edom didn’t care. They always held a grudge against Israel for getting the blessings. They would not escape the LORD’s wrath, even if they are the agents of the LORD to punish Israel.
13 The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of the Ammonites I will not change it. Because they ripped open the pregnant women in Gilead in order to enlarge their country, 14 I will set fire on Rabbah’s wall that will burn down its palaces with a roar on the day of battle, with a storm on the day of the whirlwind. 15 Their king will go into captivity, he with his princes,” says the LORD. 2 The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of Moab I will not change it. Because they burned the bones of the king of Edom to make lime, 2 I will send fire into Moab, and it will burn down Kerioth’s palaces, and Moab will die in the noise of battle with shouting, with the blowing of horns. 3 I will destroy the ruler in the middle of them, and with him I will kill all their princes,” says the LORD.
The Ammonites and the Moabites were also related to Israel. They are the children of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Ammon probably took advantage of the situation when Syria attacked Gilead. While not reported in the other historical books, we see here what they did. Moab committed their crime against Edom likely while Edom was still a vassal of Judah. Also, Edom, like Israel, was a relative to the Moabites. All these punishments came down upon these two nations as the LORD said.
We the Church are God’s Israel. We should not fear what the nations do to us. The LORD sees it and will not let them escape His wrath on the Last Day. Christ Jesus is our victorious King.
Heavenly Father, as we see the nations wage war against Your Church, give us courage to endure and remain loyal to Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.