Amós 2

1 Assim diz o SENHOR:“Por três transgressões de Moabe,e ainda mais por quatro, não anularei o castigo.Porque ele queimou até reduzir a cinzas^[a]os ossos do rei de Edom,

2 porei fogo em Moabe,e as chamas consumirão as fortalezas de Queriote.^[b]Moabe perecerá em grande tumulto,em meio a gritos de guerra e ao toque da trombeta.

3 Destruirei o seu governante^[c]e com ele matarei todas as autoridades”,diz o SENHOR.

4 Assim diz o SENHOR:“Por três transgressões de Judá,e ainda mais por quatro, não anularei o castigo.Porque rejeitou a lei doe não obedeceu aos seus decretos,porque se deixou enganar por deuses falsos,deuses que^[d] os seus antepassados seguiram,

5 porei fogo em Judá,e as chamas consumirão as fortalezas de Jerusalém”.

O Julgamento de Israel

6 Assim diz o SENHOR:“Por três transgressões de Israel,e ainda mais por quatro, não anularei o castigo.Vendem por prata o justo,e por um par de sandálias o pobre.

7 Pisam a cabeça dos necessitadoscomo pisam o pó da terra,e negam justiça ao oprimido.Pai e filho possuem a mesma mulhere assim profanam o meu santo nome.

8 Inclinam-se diante de qualquer altarcom roupas tomadas como penhor.No templo do seu deusbebem vinho recebido como multa.

9 “Fui eu que destruí os amorreus diante deles,embora fossem altos como o cedroe fortes como o carvalho.Eu destruí os seus frutos em cimae as suas raízes embaixo.

10 “Eu mesmo tirei vocês do Egito,e os conduzi por quarenta anos no desertopara dar a vocês a terra dos amorreus.

11 Também escolhi alguns de seus filhos para serem profetase alguns de seus jovens para serem nazireus.Não é verdade, povo de Israel?”,declara o SENHOR.

12 “Mas vocês fizeram os nazireus beber vinhoe ordenaram aos profetas que não profetizassem.

13 “Agora, então, eu os amassareicomo uma carroça amassa a terra quando carregada de trigo.

14 O ágil não escapará,o forte não reunirá as suas forças,e o guerreiro não salvará a sua vida.

15 O arqueiro não manterá a sua posição,o que corre não se livrará,e o cavaleiro não salvará a própria vida.

16 Até mesmo os guerreiros mais corajososfugirão nus naquele dia”,declara o SENHOR.

Amós 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

Judgments against Moab and Judah. (1-8) The ingratitude and ruin of Israel. (9-16)

Verses 1-8 The evil passions of the heart break out in various forms; but the Lord looks to our motives, as well as our conduct. Those that deal cruelly, shall be cruelly dealt with. Other nations were reckoned with for injuries done to men; Judah is reckoned with for dishonour done to God. Judah despised the law of the Lord; and he justly gave them up to strong delusion; nor was it any excuse for their sin, that they were the lies, the idols, after which their fathers walked. The worst abominations and most grievous oppressions have been committed by some of the professed worshippers of the Lord. Such conduct leads many to unbelief and vile idolatry.

Verses 9-16 We need often to be reminded of the mercies we have received; which add much to the evil of the sins we have committed. They had helps for their souls, which taught them how to make good use of their earthly enjoyments, and were therefore more valuable. Faithful ministers are great blessings to any people; but it is God that raises them up to be so. Sinners' own consciences will witness that he has not been wanting to them in the means of grace. They did what they could to lead believers aside. Satan and his agents are busy to corrupt the minds of young people who look heavenward; they overcome many by drawing them to the love of mirth and pleasure, and into drinking company. Multitudes of young men who bade fair as professors of religion, have erred through strong drink, and have been undone for ever. The Lord complains of sin, especially the sins of his professing people, as a burden to him. And though his long-suffering be tired, his power is not, and so the sinner will find to his cost. When men reject God's word, adding obstinacy to sin, and this becomes the general character of a people, they will be given up to misery, notwithstanding all their boasted power and resources. May we then humble ourselves before the Lord, for all our ingratitude and unfaithfulness.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebraico: "cal."
• [b]. Ou "de suas cidades"
• [c]. Hebraico: "juiz."
• [d]. Ou "por mentiras, mentiras que"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 2

In this chapter the prophet foretells the calamities that should come upon the Moabites for their transgressions, Am 2:1-3; and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for their iniquities, Am 2:4,5; also the judgments of God that should come upon Israel the ten tribes for their sins, which sins are enumerated; their oppression of the poor, their lewdness and idolatry, Am 2:6-8; and which are aggravated by the blessings of goodness bestowed upon them, both temporal and spiritual, Am 2:9-12; wherefore they are threatened with ruin, which would be inevitable, notwithstanding their swiftness, strength, and courage, and their skill in shooting arrows, and riding horses, Am 2:13-16.