#DailyDevotion The LORD’s Ways Are Above Our Best Thinking
Amos 1 3The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of Damascus I will not change it. Because they rode over Gilead with iron threshing sledges, 4 I will hurl fire into the house of Hazael, and it will burn down the palaces of Hadad’s son. 5 I will break the bars of Damascus and destroy the people living in the Valley of Aven [Wickedness] and him who holds the scepter in the Beth Eden [Palace of Pleasure]. The people of Aram [Syria] will go into captivity at Kir,” says the LORD.
As the prophecy of Amos begins, we get eight, “The LORD says this,” or in other translations, “Thus says the LORD.” The first six are against Israel’s neighbors. The last two are against the northern kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah.”
Damascus is the capital of Syria. The saying, “For three and four wrongs,” is not being numerically exact. The meaning is they filled up their cup of wrong and made it overflow. The incident being recalled here is from 2 Kings 13. Syria conquered the Israelite territory of the Gileadites and perpetrated this cruel act of running over them with an iron threshing sledge which pulverized the people. The LORD is going to punish this kingdom and overthrow the capital cities of the country and send the people into captivity.
We should take note of this because the LORD in His time executes judgment upon the nations. We may wish He would prevent the atrocities or get around to executing justice pretty quickly. If He did, who among us would be standing today either because of our sins or our ancestors’ sins. The LORD knows what He is doing and executes judgment in all His wisdom, according to His overall plan for His holy people, the Church.
6 The LORD says this: “For three and four wrongs of Gaza I will not change it. Because they took all the people into captivity to hand them over to Edom, 7 I will hurl fire on Gaza’s wall, and it will burn down its palaces. 8 I will destroy the people living in Ashdod and the man holding the scepter in Ashkelon. I will keep turning My hand against Ekron, and the rest of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord GOD.
Again we have the formula, “For three and four wrongs.” The incident quoted was during the time of Elijah. It is found in 2 Chr. 21:16. Now this is an interesting thing which probably shocks those who do not know the LORD or His ways. The unbelievers will complain because they think the LORD is unjust. The king of Judah, Jehoram, had married Ahab’s daughter. They brought the detestible worship practices into Judah. He killed all his brothers when he was made king. Edom revolted against Judah’s rule over them and Jehoram killed the Edomite armies that surrounded him. The LORD then stirred up the Philistines, the people of Gaza to attack Judah. They invaded and took all of his possessions, his wives and his children along with a number of his subjects. They sold them to their enemy, the Edomites (who are descendants of Esau). What people will hate is the LORD now punished the Philistines for doing this. The LORD only allowed their evil hearts to do what they wanted to do anyway. He removed the protective barrier. The LORD uses evil people to punish His people and then holds them accountable for doing it. We are not excused of the evil we do even if the LORD allows it. We are still accountable.
Heavenly Father, do not give us what our sins deserve. Always restrain the sin in us so we do not stir up Your wrath. Forgive us for Christ’s sake. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.