“Woe to those
Who are at ease
In Zion!
Woe to those
Who feel secure
On Mount Samaria!
Woe to
The notable men
Of the first
Of the nations,
To whom the house of Israel
Resorts!
Pass over to Calneh!
See!
Go to Hamath the great!
Go down to Gath
Of the Philistines!
Are they better
Than these kingdoms?
Or is your territory
Greater than their territory?
O you!
You put far away
The evil day!
Do you not bring near
A reign of violence?”
Yahweh, via Amos, warned the Israelites in Zion and Samaria not to be at ease, feeling secure, and over confident. They should be aware of the important people that they have had contact with in other countries. They should look at the great commercial centers in Calneh and Hamath in Syria. They should see the Philistine city of Gath. All these kingdoms have more territory and were better off than they were. The Israelites thought that they could put off the evil day, but the reign of violence was getting closer.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 