Amo 4:2 | KingComments | STEP | Amos is not a man who, at the sight of all this injustice, suddenly loses his patience and uncontrollably expresses his disapproval of the abuses in unmistakable words. No, he stands there on behalf of “the Lord LORD” Who “has sworn by His holiness”. That should underline the seriousness and irrevocability of his words. He has been sent by Him to speak these words. The whole action, the whole behavior of these women cannot exist in the light of the holiness of God. He can never tolerate iniquity. He is the Holy One. This means that He is absolutely and perfectly separated from sin, in whatever form. If the LORD in Psalm 89 swears by His holiness that He will never lie to David ( ), that is the guarantee that He will not lie. For if He did lie, it would violate His holiness. Here God swears by His holiness that He will let judgment come. If He would allow sin to continue with impunity, it would also violate His holiness. That He swears by His holiness is an extra guarantee that He will do what He says (cf. ). The metaphor Amos uses to indicate how this judgment will be executed can also be found in other places ( ; ; ; ). Just as a fish is suddenly torn from the water, its element, by the angler, so these women will be torn from their abundance and orgies. Judgment will be total as well as sudden. Should the impression be created that only a few would remain, then that impression will turn out to be vain. With “the last of you” it may also be meant that with the women addressed, their descendants will also fall prey to the judgment. This will be done by the Assyrians who will make them prey.

‏ Amos 4:2

Judgment Comes

Amos is not a man who, at the sight of all this injustice, suddenly loses his patience and uncontrollably expresses his disapproval of the abuses in unmistakable words. No, he stands there on behalf of “the Lord LORD” Who “has sworn by His holiness”. That should underline the seriousness and irrevocability of his words. He has been sent by Him to speak these words. The whole action, the whole behavior of these women cannot exist in the light of the holiness of God. He can never tolerate iniquity. He is the Holy One. This means that He is absolutely and perfectly separated from sin, in whatever form.

If the LORD in Psalm 89 swears by His holiness that He will never lie to David (Psa 89:35), that is the guarantee that He will not lie. For if He did lie, it would violate His holiness. Here God swears by His holiness that He will let judgment come. If He would allow sin to continue with impunity, it would also violate His holiness. That He swears by His holiness is an extra guarantee that He will do what He says (cf. Heb 6:16-17).

The metaphor Amos uses to indicate how this judgment will be executed can also be found in other places (Isa 37:29; Jer 16:16; Eze 29:4; Hab 1:15). Just as a fish is suddenly torn from the water, its element, by the angler, so these women will be torn from their abundance and orgies. Judgment will be total as well as sudden. Should the impression be created that only a few would remain, then that impression will turn out to be vain.

With “the last of you” it may also be meant that with the women addressed, their descendants will also fall prey to the judgment. This will be done by the Assyrians who will make them prey.