In the opening chapters, the prophet Amos addresses Israel and Judah and, also, the other nations. The God of Israel is the creator and Lord of all nations. His dealings are not with Israel alone, but with all the nations of the earth. This is clear in the opening cycle of indictments against the nations. This is the God with whom all nations and all peoples must deal. All nations and all peoples are accountable to him. As Paul explained to the Athenians, this is “the God who made the world and everything in it . . . he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth . . . now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed” (Acts 17:24-31).
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Serve him with joy, his praises tell,
come now before him and rejoice! --William Kethe