God punishes the Philistines with Babylon (v.2, the waters rising in the north). They will be punished by the torrent from the north that will spread wide, like a flood so powerful that their hands will hang limp, so that they are not able to turn to help their children. They will want this to stop, but it will not cease. By the severity of this punishment, we can imagine the degree to which they rejected God’s will and acted wickedly. We have to turn back to the Lord from our wicked ways before it is too late and we are only left with sorrow and weeping. Isn’t today’s message and warning an opportunity for me? Vv. 3,4 God’s judgment is unavoidable. When God is against us, anyone whom we rely on will be useless. The ‘coasts of Caphitor’ is Crete, known as the hometown of the Philistines (Amos 9:7). To ‘destroy the remnant’ means to cut off their origin completely. Are you someone who must avoid this fearful punishment? Who in your circle of family or friends needs to hear the gospel from you, so they will know the way to avoid God’s judgment?
What lesson is God teaching me?
Vv. 5,6 The Philistines knew it was God’s punishment, but they turned to their rituals and gods. They shaved their heads, kept silent, and cut themselves. If anyone tries hard to redeem his sin with religious zeal, but does not change his heart, it is useless.
When I and our community have the threat of punishment, let us return to you and not be struck by the sword of punishment.
