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"Therefore I will send you into captivity"

Text: Amos 5:27

AN IDOLATROUS NATION

Israel’s inclination to idolatry did not begin with king Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-13). The practice of idolatry already existed in the days of Moses, just that it was not practised overtly. But after Solomon, Israel practised idolatrous worship openly! Four were highlighted by the ancient chroniclers.

1. Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians 1 Kings 11:5a

2. Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites 1 Kings 11:5b

3. Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites 1 Kings 11:7a

4. Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon 1 Kings 11:7b

AN INEVITABLE JUDGMENT

The judgment of the Lord was a foregone conclusion. Every means had been employed to bring conviction of sin in the hearts of the people of Israel. However, nothing availed. Captivity was one of the forms of punishment warned.

“‘Therefore I will send you into captivity beyond Damascus,
Says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.”
Amos 5:27

1. “Therefore I will send you into captivity”

a) Israel would be a nation no more.

b) The whole kingdom would become captive.

c) Assyrian was the kingdom that destroyed the nation of Israel (2 Kings 17).

2. “Beyond Damascus”

a) Israel’s captivity would not mean mere defeat at the hands of Syria.

b) Damascus was the capital of Syria.

c) If Israel had merely been deported/exiled to Syria, the intended reason might not have been learned well.

d) Damascus fell to the Assyrian in 732 BC.

e) Israel would similarly and finally succumb to the onslaught led by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17).

3. A formal declaration from God came with this word of warning

a) The LORD

b) The God of hosts

c) Significance of this strong declaration of God’s name

i) He is to be feared.

ii) His decretive word would come to pass.

Israel would find that their greatest enemy would be the Lord God of hosts Himself!