Thus says the LORD:
“For three transgressions of Edom,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because he pursued his brother with the sword
and cast off all pity,
and his anger tore perpetually,
and he kept his wrath forever.
So I will send a fire upon Teman,
and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”
Thus says the LORD:
“For three transgressions of the Ammonites,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead,
that they might enlarge their border.
So I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah,
and it shall devour her strongholds,
with shouting on the day of battle,
with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind;
and their king shall go into exile,
he and his princes together,”
says the LORD.
Comment: Amos follows the same pattern of delivery of his sayings – It is God speaking; their sin was not an isolated even; an example of their revolting behaviour – for Edom, the slaughter of those who were their ‘brothers’ (the Jews), for Ammon, ripping open the bellies of pregnant women; then what God was going to do. Was God unfair? Or were they getting what they deserved?
Prayer: I would stand right in Your sight O, God. Search my heart, please.
As I read it! 