Israel and the nations

Good morning everyone,
We are nearing the end of Amos and the words of judgment continue. I think the most interesting development in this passage is in the second paragraph. Amos says (speaking for God), "Are you not like the Ethiopians to me?" He then goes on to mention the story of the exodus from Egypt along with the stories of the Philistines and Arameans moving to their current homes. The point here is that not only did God bring Israel out of Egypt to their land, he also brought other nations to where they are now. In other words, Israel is not the only nation God leads and pays attention to.

It's important to read this word in context, especially since Christians have a long history of anti-semitism. Amos was delivering God's word to Israel when they felt very self-assured and when their sense of God's unique favor made many complacent. The point was to remind them that they weren't the only nation God had dealings with. While this passage tends to downplay the relationship between God and Israel there are many other passages that emphasize that Israel is indeed special to God. The New Testament also affirms that God's covenant with Israel lasts forever. As with most scripture the most productive way to hear this passage is as a caution when we are tempted to think too well of ourselves either personally or nationally or in the church. The truth is that God does know each of us uniquely and has plans for us, but God also knows and cares for all the people in the world and indeed for all creation.

God bless,
Sam

Amos 9:1-10
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said: Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake, and shatter them on the heads of all the people; and those who are left I will kill with the sword; not one of them shall flee away, not one of them shall escape. 2Though they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. 3Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, from there I will search out and take them; and though they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the sea-serpent, and it shall bite them. 4And though they go into captivity in front of their enemies, there I will command the sword, and it shall kill them; and I will fix my eyes on them for harm and not for good.

5The Lord, God of hosts, he who touches the earth and it melts, and all who live in it mourn, and all of it rises like the Nile, and sinks again, like the Nile of Egypt; 6who builds his upper chambers in the heavens, and founds his vault upon the earth; who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the surface of the earth— the Lord is his name. 7Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O people of Israel? says the Lord. Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir? 8The eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth—except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, says the Lord. 9For lo, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve, but no pebble shall fall to the ground. 10All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, “Evil shall not overtake or meet us.”