We can learn some vital lessons reading through Amos 2:6-8. Oppression and sexual immorality are degrading; they were then, and they are now, too. Israel maltreated the poor, whereas God required that they were to be treated with respect and honour (Psalm 41:4; Proverbs 17:5; 14:31). However, it was obvious by Israel’s actions that the nation had no respect for God’s Word. The Israelites despised the commandments of God, for they could have treated the poor with respect and not oppressed them.
The poor were considered valueless in the ancient nation of Israel, but God viewed them as priceless. Prophet Amos wrote concerning the way the rulers and nobles maltreated the upright and the poor. “They sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals” (Amos 2:6). Israel oppressed the poor so greatly that God had no option other than to discipline it.
The nation of Israel engaged in large scale sexual immorality. Brethren, “flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” Since we are bought with the precious blood of Christ, we should glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits, rather than in immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Are you an oppressor? Flee oppression! Love your neighbors as yourself. All must learn to respect the poor. The poor must learn to respect themselves. “A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no food” (Proverbs 28:3). Possess your vessel in purity! Flee sexual immorality so that you will not be reduced to a crust of bread (Proverbs 6:26-35).
