"Overview of Amos"
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Background info –
Author – Amos
Amos 1:1 (NASB95)
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Date – 760 BC – Prior to the invasion of the Assyrians in 722 BC
Audience – Northern Kingdom –
Theme – “Social Injustice in Israel” or “Judgment on Israel”
By the grace of God we are going to see two things First, how God called Amos, and Secondly, how God gave Amos a specific message to proclaim.
1. The Call of Amos
1. The Call of Amos
Where do you think Amos was from? (the northern or southern kingdom)
· Amos was an ordinary man –
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
14 Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. 15 “But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’
Amos was a native of Tekoa, located in the desert of Judah, twelve miles south of Jerusalem.
Sheepherder – the Hebrew word means that he breeds sheep
Jeroboam was king in Israel
He understands his inadequacy
Grower of Sycamore figs – What is that?
God is accomplishing the work in his life
He was a shepherd, who supplemented his income by taking care of “sycomore” (wild fig) trees (1:1; 7:14,15). There is no record of his family. The call of God came to him while he was following the flock. His claim that the Lord called him directly (7:15) puts him in line with all the prophets who experienced a direct revelation from God.
God has called an ordinary man to do an extraordinary task –
Making it Personal - What has God called you and I to do as believers in Christ?
Now, let us transition and look at the message of Amos which he gives to the Northern Kingdom Israel –
2. The Message Judgment
2. The Message Judgment
Read Amos – 1:1-3 – General observation –
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 He said, “The Lord roars from Zion And from Jerusalem He utters His voice; And the shepherds’ pasture grounds mourn, And the summit of Carmel dries up.” 3 Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of Damascus and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron.
The Lord roars from Zion – Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?
Joel 3:16 – “The Lord roars from Zion…”
Joel 3:16 (NASB95)
16 The Lord roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth tremble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.
Psalm 18:13 – “The Lord also thundered in the heavens…”
Psalm 18:13 (NASB95)
13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.
What do you think is meant by the phrase “For three transgressions of Damascus and for four I will not revoke its punishment…” God will tolerate sin for so long.
Chapters 1-2 deal with Amos message of Judgment on the surrounding nations.
3:1-2 – “I (God) will punish you for your iniquities…” (the message specifically is that God is going to punish the nation of Israel for their sin)
1 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
3:6 – God cared for Israel but they continued in their pattern of sin and did not return to the Lord.
6 If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?
5:5-6 – Amos plead for the nation to return to the Lord – The nation refuses to return to the Lord and as a result judgment is going to come upon them.
5 “But do not resort to Bethel And do not come to Gilgal, Nor cross over to Beersheba; For Gilgal will certainly go into captivity And Bethel will come to trouble. 6 “Seek the Lord that you may live, Or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel,
“The prophet reveals the spiritual corruption under the religious formalism and material prosperity of the time (5:12, 21). He castigates the leaders for the deterioration of social justice and morality (2:7, 8) and points out their total disregard of human rights and personality (2:6). He insists that God’s people must seek the Lord and repent, and establish justice if they are to live (5:14, 15). But because the people of Israel will not repent, there is nothing left for them but destruction (9:1-8).
3. The Message of Future Hope
3. The Message of Future Hope
Read 9:11-12 – The message of Hope – Remember the Abrahamic covenant in Gen. 12?
11 “In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name,” Declares the Lord who does this.
Making it Personal -
There is an overarching message seen throughout the prophets. They are condemning sin and promoting reconciliation to God.
SO WHAT??
1. First, are you fulfilling the call that Christ has given you? if so when, where and how?
Standing up against per-pressure
Respecting parents
Respecting teachers at School
Getting along with siblings
Pursing Christ likeness
Loving your enemies
Loving those who hate you
Committed to personal time in the Word
Committed to memorization
Committed to prayer
Committed to meditation of the word
2. Secondly are you neglecting the call that God has given every believer if so where?
Your time
Friends
Sinful attitudes
Sinful thoughts
Movies
God takes sin and the Christian life very seriously; the question is do you and I? – we have seen throughout the book of Amos how Israel was in a pattern of repenting and then falling right back into the same sin. Amos is proclaiming the message of Judgment. God will ultimately deal with all people that includes you and I.
Unbeliever - Repent, and embrace the death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ!
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.