Daily Devotions

Amos

Amos 
Day 
Day 33

"Behold, I am weighed down by you"

Text: Amos 2:13

WEIGHT OF SINS

Israel added sin upon sin without comprehending that their sins would attract a heavy penalty.

“Behold, I am weighed down by you,
As a cart full of sheaves is weighed down.
Therefore flight shall perish from the swift,
The strong shall not strengthen his power,
Nor shall the mighty deliver himself.”
Amos 2:13-14

1. The imagery of a cart laden with sheaves

a) This imagery was used to illustrate the weight of sins.
b) The Lord had borne with the sins of the nation for a long time.
c) The cart was full and heavy and as such the cart was not able to move along easily if at all.

2. A divine judgment was made at this juncture

a) The swift
i) This is a reference to the swift-footed.
ii) He had always depended on his swiftness to get away from any trouble.
iii) This was not going to happen anymore.
iv) He will not be able to run away anymore.
v) He will perish because he is no longer able to take flight from his troubles.
b) The strong
i) This is a reference to those who are stronger than others.
ii) He has always depended on his strength and power to manage problems.
iii) God would curtail that strength and power.
iv) He would have to face his problems in the same away as the ordinary person.
v) He will likely be adversely affected if not totally perish in any conflict he encounters.
c) The mighty
i) He could have obtained might in a number of ways.
ii) He had always been able to deliver himself from his problems because of his might.
iii) That might would be withdrawn from him.
iv) He would have to face any conflict as an ordinary person.

He too might well perish if God were to withdraw His grace and mercy.