In chapter 2, Amos' "fiery" prophecy against the nations surrounding Israel draws ever closer until it finally hits home.
You can almost imagine the Israelite audience at first cheering as they hear doom pronounced upon the heads of their neighbors and rivals in the first chapter. Aram... Philistia... Tyre... Edom... Ammon... In turn, each is called to account for their sins, and God promises to kindle fire against their walls. The theme continues into chapter 2 as first Moab and then even Judah, Israel's southern neighbor, are likewise threatened with fire for their wicked practices. Amos' audience would be nodding their heads in self-righteous agreement with God's justice.
The pattern is broken, however, when we reach Israel herself in verse 6. To their horror, the audience realizes that their own nation is included in God's avenging retribution. In fact, as judgment hits home, Israel comes in for special wrath because of the extent of their rebellion.
Amos minces no words as he utters the charges with alarming specificity. Economic injustice, sexual immorality, idolatry, and debauchery are the crimes that Israel has committed against her Master. Speaking through the prophet, God recalls that the Amorites who lived in the land before Israel were not spared when they sinned, with the clear implication that now it is the Israelites' turn to be expelled from the land.
Here is the judgment: "Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain their strength, nor shall the mighty save their lives" (vs. 14). A time of recompense is coming when the nation shall know that their Lord is a God of justice.
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