Key verse: 6
GOD JUDGES ISRAEL
The judgment of the nations continues. The cousin people Moab and the brother people Juda are under the judgment. Then, Amos speaks about God's judgment for Israel. God hasn't any personal consideration. But we must note the criterion: for the Pagans and the cousins the criterion of judgment is their attitude towards Israel, whereas for Israel the criterion is the personal relationship with God.
1. The judgments on Moab and Judah (1-5)
Moab is the cousin people of Israel, the other descendant of Loth. But there was a fratricidal conflict with Edom, and he burnt the bones of the king, not by incineration but damaging the dignity of the human creature. Therefore God will send fire. The powerful will be killed. Then, God will judge Judah because he rejected the Eternal God's law. The judgment of Judah made Israel shudder because of God's judgment for them as severe as for other people.
2. The judgment of Israel (6-15)
The problem of Israel is greed. They sell the poor and righteous people to obtain a little material thing which has no value. They agreed with idolatry, their lifestyle is very carnal and randy. They are heinous because the father and the son have the same mistress. God will judge them. But God judges Israel differently than the other people, even Judah. God remember his favour towards Israel throughout history. In spite of the gentle appearance, this reminder aims to bring Israel's double guilt out. God speaks about their aggravating circumstance: his particular and enormous mercy for Israel. God made them get out of Egypt by his mighty hand. God made them victorious on the invincible races like the Amalekites with a formidable power (9). Not only that, but God blessed them sending prophets and generating dedicated people, but Israel treated them jumble as they see fit. They seducted the people to not leave a holy life and prevented the prophet to prophesy. Amos describes the judgment which can be understood through the terrible phenomenon of earthquake (cf. 1:1b): the earth crack like under a cart heavily charged; everybody tries to escape, but to not avail.
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