Posted on 08/18/2005 4:38:27 AM PDT by ElisabethInCincy
Amos 1:6-8 (NIV):
"This is what the Lord says:
'For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom, I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses. I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines is dead,' says the Sovereign LORD.
HISTORICAL CONNECTION: The Philistines (arch enemies of Israel) inhabited five cities along the south-western coastlands and foothills of Israel -- Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath. "No area in Biblical history was more frequently contested than the western foothills, lying on the border between Judea and Philistia.... Originally a part of Judah's tribal allotment, the coastal area was never entirely wrested away from the Philistines who may have begun their occupation as early as the time of Abraham" (NIV Study Bible).
According to 2 Chronicles 26:1-7, King Uzziah of Judah went to war against the Philistines in the mid-700's B.C. "God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs..." (verse 7). The prophet Amos lived during King Uzziah's lifetime and prophesied God's intentions toward the Philistines saying: "'I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines is dead,' says the Sovereign Lord."
The NIV Study Bible notes that Philistia was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. It is believed by some that the Philistines and modern-day Palestinians were descendants of Jacob's brother Esau, also called EDOM. Listen to God's words concerning "the sins of Edom":
Amos 1:11-12 (NIV):
"This is what the Lord says:
'For three sins of EDOM, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked, I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah.'
Another Gaza connection:
Zechariah 9:5-8 (NIV):
"...Gaza will writhe in agony . . . Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted. Foreigners will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become leaders of Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites. But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch."
Keep watching the news . . .
No, it doesn't. *Rolls eyes*
That is strangely comforting. Thanks for posting.
No it doesn't what??????????
No it doesn't.
Correct. The Bible refers to the time and circumstances in which it was written.
Amos berated the Jews for becoming fat and lazy during this time of economic stability. Yet, he assured his fellow chosen people that their sinfulness would not cause the Lord to abandon them. After scathing attacks on Jewish indifference to the Covenant, he assured his people that the Lord remained true to His Covenant.
Much appreciated-- but we have chosen for our leaders men who do not rule in fear of God. Men who disdain what was
established and have leveled all religions and made it a matter of state policy to hold all in utter indifference.
the very acts which would have caused universal disapprobation if not universal indignaitonwhen we were yet
that Christian nation established 1776-1892
And that type is a shadow of what can readily be seen in Gaza today. This constructed withdrawal will not assure /secur epeace-nor improve any chance of peace with
theseveral nations that have never accepted the modern State of Israel -and have never ceased to attempt to destroy Israel. It was the war instigated by Egypt and Syria that led to the Israeli settlemtents in Gaza and on the West Bank in full accord with the Law of Nations as it
existed and was employed in American history Read the Presidential message of Dec.1846,as cited in Flemming v. Page,50 US 603,1850-when we annexed land belonging to Mexico.
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