Amos 1:9-12
Notes
Transcript
Tyre
Tyre
Tyre was historically an island city that also had a fortified city on the coast. Founded by Sidonians. Tyre and Sidon form Phoenicia. Promised to the tribe of Asher, but there’s no biblical indication that Israel ever fought against Tyre to claim it for themselves. Tyre and the Philistines were enemies, but when David subdued the Philistines, Tyre gained control of the seas and entered a golden age. 2 Samuel 5:11 “11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons; and they built a house for David.”
Covenant of brotherhood: 1 Kings 5:1 “1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.” 1 Kings 5:12 “12 And the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.” 1 Kings 9:13 “13 And he said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?” So they have been called the land of Cabul to this day.” 2 Chronicles 2:11–12 shows that Tyre was nice to Israel and possibly aligned with God “11 Then Huram, king of Tyre, answered in a letter sent to Solomon: “Because the Lord loves His people, He has made you king over them.” 12 Then Huram continued, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who will build a house for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.”
Solomon paid for lumber and builders from Tyre and gave them cities, which was probably against the Promised Land covenant. Consequently, Tyre’s fortunes increased and Israel’s, after Solomon, decreased. At first, it’s possible Tyre was influenced by Israel, but that quickly turned around. Tyre and the Sidonians worshiped Baal. 1 Kings 16:30–31 “30 Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him. 31 And as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him.”
Surprisingly, it seems like Satan himself was the power behind Tyre:
Ezekiel 28:11-19
11 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 12 “Son of man, take up a song of mourning over the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord God says:
“You had the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 “You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The ruby, the topaz and the diamond;
The beryl, the onyx and the jasper;
The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald;
And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets,
Was in you.
On the day that you were created
They were prepared.
14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers,
And I placed you there.
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in your ways
From the day you were created
Until unrighteousness was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trade
You were internally filled with violence,
And you sinned;
Therefore I have cast you as profane
From the mountain of God.
And I have destroyed you, you covering cherub,
From the midst of the stones of fire.
17 “Your heart was haughty because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.
I threw you to the ground;
I put you before kings,
That they may see you.
18 “By the multitude of your wrongdoings,
In the unrighteousness of your trade
You profaned your sanctuaries.
Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you;
It has consumed you,
And I have turned you to ashes on the earth
In the eyes of all who see you.
19 “All who know you among the peoples
Are appalled at you;
You have become terrified
And you will cease to be forever.” ’ ”
God anoints Jehu and Hazael to destroy Ahab 1 Kings 19:15–18 “15 The Lord said to [Elijah], “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 You shall also anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 And it shall come about that the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.””
Ahab died in battle against Syria. Jehu convinces the eunuchs to throw Jezebel out of her tower. Jehu continues to exterminate the house of Ahab. He invites all the priests and worshippers of Baal to a ceremony where he kills them all. It seems that Tyre began abandoning Israel at this time and favoring Syria, since Syria was stronger. It can be argued that Israel broke the covenant first by killing Jezebel and the Baal worshippers, but it’s unlikely that a covenant would have explicitly mentioned protection for religion in each other’s place. Plus, Jezebel married Ahab long after Solomon died, so a marriage alliance being part of the covenant is unlikely. But it’s very likely that the covenant would have included protection from slavery, which Tyre broke. Tyre, seeing its fortune in trade, seems to be less likely to to invade countries as to enter trade agreements with them, hence the lack of “exile” in this prophecy.
God promises that Babylon will destroy Tyre. Ezekial 26:7 “From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army.” And he promises complete destruction eventually Ez 26:19-21 “When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you, then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place in the land of the living. I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Eventually, Assyria tries to conquer Tyre but fails. Tyre founded Carthage. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre 13 years and succeeded in earning a conditional surrender, but Tyre was still nominally independent. Carthage breaks away from Tyre and becomes independent.
Alexander the Great destroyed Old Tyre and used the rubble to build a bridge to the island where he took Tyre as well, but didn’t annihilate it. Sidonians don’t exist as a people anymore.
Although not a major power anymore, Tyre and Sidon are still relevant in the first century. Acts 12:20–24 “20 Now [Herod] was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was supported with grain from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. 22 The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”
The Saracens leveled the city in 1291, but it was later re-inhabited.
Tyre still exists today, so if we take God literally, we should be expecting the sea to swallow it at some time in the future.
Tyre turned an entire population over to Edom, and we discussed that last week. But the new thing is that they “did not remember the covenant of brotherhood” which is probably a reference to the covenant between Israel and Tyre when the two were equals.
Technically, it can be said that Amos 1:10 “10 “So I will send fire on the wall of Tyre, And it will consume her citadels.”” is completed by both Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander, but other prophecies predict its utter destruction, and that hasn’t happened yet.
Edom
Edom
Edom comes from Esau, and we all know his story of selling his birthright and how Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Edom does not lie in the Promised Land. Rather, God gave them their land in Mount Seir Deuteronomy 2:5 “5 do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even as much as a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.” Deuteronomy 23:7–8 “7 “You shall not loathe an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not loathe an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land. 8 The sons of the third generation who are born to them may enter the assembly of the Lord.” From the time of Joshua until Saul, Edom isn’t mentioned. But Edom seems to have instigated conflict with Israel in the time of Saul
1 God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, God, do not be still.
2 For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
3 They make shrewd plans against Your people,
And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let’s wipe them out as a nation,
So that the name of Israel will no longer be remembered.”
5 For they have conspired together with one mind;
They make a covenant against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined them;
They have become a help to the children of Lot.
1 Samuel 14:47 “47 Now when Saul had taken control of the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.”
David is the only Jewish king to conquer Edom 2 Samuel 8:14 “14 He also put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”
Edom rebels against Judah after Solomon’s reign 2 Kings 8:20-22
20 In [Joram’s] days Edom broke away from the rule of Judah, and appointed a king over themselves. 21 Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. And he got up at night and struck the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots; but his army fled to their tents. 22 So Edom has broken away from Judah to this day.
Jehoshaphat, a good king of Judah, sums it up nicely 2 Chronicles 20:10–12 “10 Now behold, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not allow Israel to invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (for they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11 see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.””
It truly seems like Israel was nice to Edom, and Edom hated Israel.
Edom is one of those countries that gets the full wrath of God; not just a smiting then repenting Mal 1:2-5
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; 3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.” 4 Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; this is what the Lord of armies says: “They may build, but I will tear down; and people will call them the territory of wickedness, and the people with whom the Lord is indignant forever.” 5 And your eyes will see this, and you will say, “The Lord be exalted beyond the border of Israel!”
It seems like Jesus will physically destroy Edom Isaiah 63:1-6
1 Who is this who comes from Edom,
With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah,
This One who is majestic in His apparel,
Marching in the greatness of His strength?
“It is I, the One who speaks in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2 Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press?
3 “I have trodden the wine trough alone,
And from the peoples there was no one with Me.
I also trod them in My anger
And trampled them in My wrath;
And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments,
And I stained all My clothes.
4 “For the day of vengeance was in My heart,
And My year of redemption has come.
5 “I looked, but there was no one to help,
And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold;
So My own arm brought salvation to Me,
And My wrath upheld Me.
6 “I trampled down the peoples in My anger
And made them drunk with My wrath,
And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”
Amos 1:12 “12 “So I will send fire upon Teman And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah.”” Teman is the grandson of Esau and a place in Edom. Eliphaz, one of Job’s three friends, was a Temanite and Temanites were known for their wisdom Jeremiah 49:7 “7 Concerning Edom. This is what the Lord of armies says: “Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has good advice been lost by the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?” But God will destroy Teman/Edom. Note the similarity from Isaiah and Habakkuk
3 God comes from Teman,
And the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His splendor covers the heavens,
And the earth is full of His praise.
4 His radiance is like the sunlight;
He has rays flashing from His hand,
And the hiding of His might is there.
5 Before Him goes plague,
And plague comes forth after Him.
6 He stood and caused the earth to shudder;
He looked and caused the nations to jump.
Yes, the everlasting mountains were shattered,
The ancient hills collapsed.
His paths are everlasting.
Again, the explicit prophecy from Amos 1:12 “12 “So I will send fire upon Teman And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah.”” is probably completed 2 Kings 14:7 “7 He [Amaziah, king of Judah] killed ten thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel, as it is to this day.”
Edomites do not exist today. They migrated to Hebron, present day West Bank, Palestine after Babylon destroyed them. Historically, many historians believe that the Hasmoneans conquered the Edomites in Hebron and forced them to convert to Judaism, although some historians don’t believe that. Herod the Great came from these converted Edomites. Bozrah is uninhabited today, and no one really knows where Teman is, but most likely it is Ma’an, which has less than 50,000 people. Given that it sounds strongly like Jesus or God himself is coming from Edom/Teman, there are three theological possibilities:
1. Neither Isaiah nor Habakkuk explicitly say who God/Jesus was killing, so perhaps he’s just physically coming from that direction after having killed someone somewhere else.
2. The Hasmoneans completed the prophesy and so we’re misinterpreting it by assuming it’s God/Jesus.
3. They reference different events.
So, except for the physical return of Jesus, this prophecy is fulfilled: Edomites don’t exist anymore and Teman/Bozrah are seemingly uninhabited.
Application
Application
“They turned an entire population over to Edom” same as last week: permitted but not beneficial, justice for the weak, celebrating God’s judgements.
“Did not remember the covenant of brotherhood” Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Probably wrong to enter into that covenant, but must keep it once it’s established.
“Pursued his brother with the sword, stifled his compassion, anger tore continually, maintained his fury forever.” Forgiveness, Romans 12:19 “19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Ephesians 4:26 “26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”
“Compassion” literally means “from the womb” and could be a reference to Esau forsaking his birthright.
Permitted but not beneficial
Justice for the weak
Celebrating God’s judgements
Keeping your word
Forgiveness, not seeking revenge, and do not sin in your anger
