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"Is their territory greater than your territory"

Text: Amos 6:2

OTHER POWERFUL COUNTRIES

There were other powerful countries in the region. However, both Judah and Israel saw themselves with foolish pride. They had become complacent and had not walked faithfully with the Lord!

“Go over to Calneh and see;
And from there go to Hamath the great;
Then go down to Gath of the Philistines.
Are you better than these kingdoms?
Or is their territory greater than your territory?”
Amos 6:2

1. Three cities were mentioned in comparison

a) Calneh

i) This is probably a reference to Calno (Isaiah 10:9).

ii) This was a city of Syria.

b) Hamath

i) This was another famous city of ancient Syria.

ii) This was conquered by Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:28).

c) Gath

i) This was one of the five famous cities of Philistia.

ii) It was a strong and powerful city.

2. “Are you better than these kingdoms”

a) This was essentially a rhetorical question.

b) Syria was more powerful than Israel or Judah.

i) The size of its army was far greater.

ii) This kingdom was mightier.

iii) Any victory won by Judah or Israel was a result of the Lord’s grace and mercy!

c) Philistia

i) It had harassed Israel/Judah for the longest time.

ii) Had it not been for the Lord’s mercy, the Philistines would continue to have the upper hand.

3. “Or is their territory greater than your territory”

a) This was also a rhetorical question.

b) The size of their kingdom was greater than that of Judah certainly.

Complacency had no place in Israel or Judah. These mighty enemies were a great thorn in the flesh!