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"I will also break the gate bar of Damascus"

Text: Amos 1:5a

DIVINE PUNISHMENT

King Ahab may have let Ben-Hadad go free. The Syrian king promised to return all the territory that his father had taken from Israel. Ahab was content with this treaty.

However, the Divine imperative was quite different. In 1 Kings 20:35-43, God sent one of His prophets to speak to king Ahab! The conclusion is note-worthy!

“Thus says the LORD:
‘Because you have let slip out of your hand
a man whom I appointed for utter destruction,
therefore your life shall go for his life,
and your people for his people.'”
1 Kings 20:42

1. God had determined to end the life of Ben-Hadad

a) But Ahab had let him go free instead.

b) This was outright disobedience.

c) This was nothing short of mad foolishness.

2. The Punishment pronounced

a) Ahab’s life would be forfeit.

b) Israel would suffer under the Syrians.

c) The Syrians would return in power and harass Israel again.

GOD’S PLAN WILL NOT BE THWARTED

Since Ahab did not carry out God’s command to destroy Ben-Hadad, God would have to punish Syria but in a different way.

“‘I will also break the gate bar of Damascus,
And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven,
And the one who holds the sceptre from Beth Eden.
The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,’
Says the LORD.”
Amos 1:5

1. “I will also break the gate bar of Damascus”

a) Damascus was the capital of Syria.

b) All cities had gates.

c) The bars of the gates would be broken and the capital made wide open for the enemy.

2. “And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven and the one who holds the sceptre from Beth Eden”

a) “Valley of Aven and Beth Eden” may be more symbolic than geographical.

b) Aven means “nothingness” and “Eden” means “pleasantness”.

c) No one would escape from Divine Judgment.

d) The Syrians might try escape and set up a new kingdom elsewhere, but they would fail!