Amos the Prophet Amos derived from Hebrew root “amas” “to lift a burden, to carry” “Burden-Bearer”

Amos: the man A native of Tekoa (near Jerusalem); a city built on a hill overlooking the wilderness of Judah, one of the most desolate areas in Canaan.

Tekoa 6 miles south of Bethlehem 12 miles south of Jerusalem about 18 miles west of the Dead Sea

Amos: the man A native of Tekoa (near Jerusalem); a city built on a hill overlooking the wilderness of Judah, one of the most desolate areas in Canaan. The date: Amos lived during the days when the reign of Jeroboam II in the north overlapped with the reign of Uzziah in the south. Most scholars date his work around 760 – 750 B.C. Occupation: a herdsman of sheep (1:1) and a gatherer of sycamore fruit (7:14)

Background: Due to a 60 year respite from the east (Assyria), Judah and Israel had enlarged & strengthened their borders. (It was also during this time that Jonah visited Nineveh). Through trade, agriculture, and conquest they were able to bring prosperity to the people. The leadership in Assyria changed and the monarch immediately set out on a conquest that would include the west. It was during this time of prosperity and wealth, prior to the new monarch in Assyria, that Amos was called to prophesy to the nation.

Background: The luxury of the nation is clearly seen in the prophets comments (3:12 ; 3:15 ; 6:3-6) Moral & Political corruption: the treatment of the poor (5:11-12) ; the general contempt for things holy (2:6-8); disorder, oppression, violence & robbery (3:9-10) Religious corruption: they were showing outward “worship” but it was not acceptable to God (4:4-5); Religious fervor was high, but true spiritual devotion to God was utterly lacking (8:5-6)

The message: DOOM a) To the Jew, the nation overshadowed the individual. b) To the Jew, every nation outside his own was unclean. THE DOOM OF EXILE MEANT THE COLLAPSE OF ALL THAT WAS DEAR AND GLORIOUS For all their corruption, God would bring them into judgment, therefore “prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (4:12)

Outline: Chapters 1-2 God’s Judgments on all the nations Chapters 3-6 Basis of God’s Judgment Chapters 7-9 God’s Judgment is Inevitable  There will be no escape

(Ch. 1:3 – 2:3) ; Punishment of the nations bordering Judah & Israel Damascus, Gaza of Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2) (Ch. 1: 1-2) ; “The LORD roars from Zion” He will excite terror into the hearts of the people

DamascusTyre Ammon Moab Edom Gaza Judah Israel God’s punishment of the nations (as identified by Amos)

(Ch. 1 – 2:3) ; Punishment of the nations bordering Judah & Israel God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2) Damascus – for their cruelty in war (1:3-5) Gaza of Philistia – slave traffic (1:6-8) Tyre – delivered up “brothers” (1:9-10) Edom – for implacable hatred for Israel (1:11-12) Ammon – intense and uncalled for cruelty (1:13-15) Moab – vengeance even on a king’s carcass (2:1-3)

(Ch. 2:4-5) ; Punishment of Judah sin was religious apostasy (Ch. 2:6-16) ; Punishment of Israel sins were injustice, oppression, shameless immorality, contempt for the LORD (2:6-8) Scornful contempt for the divine benefits bestowed (2:9-12) Inevitable consequences (2:13-16) God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2)

(Ch. 3:1 – 4:5) ; Condemnation of the wealthy ruling classes for civil and religious inequities Jehovah had known Israel and therefore they must be punished (3:2) “A lion has roared” – God is warning through Amos of the impending judgment. (3:7-8) Civil oppression and inevitable judgment on the ruling class (3:9 – 4:3) - their enemies will gather to witness the tumult (3:9-10) - their adversary (called out by Hosea a couple of years later as Assyria), will surround them, take their strength, and plunder their palaces (3: 11) - the severity of the judgment (3:12-15) - a special judgment against the luxury loving women (4:1-3) - condemnation of their religious festivities (that they love) (4:4-5) Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6)

(Ch. 4:6 - 13) ; Chastisements from Jehovah which have gone unheeded General famine, “cleanness of teeth” (4:6) Drought (4:7-8) Blight, mildew, and locusts (4:9) Pestilence, enemy attacks (4:10) Earthquake, burnings (4:11) “Yet you have not returned to Me” Final doom for which to prepare (4:12-13) “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6)

(Ch ) ; Overthrow of the kingdom of the ten tribes Lamentation (5:1-3); “Israel has fallen” followed by an urgent plea to “seek the LORD and live” (5:4-6) Omnipotence of the LORD (5:8-9) God must punish the unrighteous unless they seek Jehovah (5:10-15) The announcement of judgment (5:16-17) The 1 st Woe; terrors on the day of Jehovah (5:18-27)  they desire it but for no good (18-20)  heartless worship is not acceptable (21-24)  they followed after their fathers (25-27) Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6)

(Ch ) ; Overthrow of the kingdom of the ten tribes Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6) The 2 nd Woe; upon the leaders of the nation (6:1-14)  luxury loving wealthy rulers (vs. 1-6)  exile and destruction are certain (vs. 7-11)  can’t be saved by the trust in themselves (vs )

(Ch. 7-9) ; The five visions Vision #1 – locusts/destruction; the prophet prays and the LORD has mercy (7:1-3) Vision #2 – devouring fire/destruction on the nation; the prophet prays again and the LORD has mercy. (7:4-6) Vision #3 – the plumb line (used to measure vertical perfection of a wall; measurement of the current state of the nation against God’s Law and His principles) He will not pass by them anymore. (7:7-9) (Complaint from Amaziah concerning Amos’ prophecies) (7:10-17) God’s Judgment is Inevitable (Ch. 7-9)

(Ch. 7-9) ; The five visions, cont’d Vision #4 – the basket of summer fruit (symbol of the ripeness of Israel for destruction) (8:1-14)  there will be no more mercy (1-3) ; the nation mourns and eventually seeks for God’s word but it won’t be found. (4-14) Vision #5 – the broken house (destruction of Israel) (9:1-10) God’s Judgment is Inevitable (Ch. 7-9) A look to the future…(9:11-15) Promise of a brighter future for a remnant of the nation (through Christ) …there would be hope for some.

Lessons from Amos: “Prepare to meet your God” –Mt. 24:36 Don’t know the day or hour –2 Cor. 5:10 All must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Seek the Lord and live! – Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – 2 Peter 1:2-4 “…that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” – Mt. 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”