The Lord Roars
Notes
Transcript
Introduction to Amos
Introduction to Amos
1 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
Author
Author
The Shepherd of Tekoa
From the Southern Kingdom (Judah) preaching to the Northern Kingdom (Israel)
Prophesied in the 760s during the reigns of Uzziah/Azariah (Judah) and Jereboam II (Israel)
Historical Setting
Historical Setting
United Kingdom
Divided Kingdom
North
Jereboam II rules for 41 years (2 Kin 14:23)
He restores the boundaries of Israel (2 Kin 14:25, 28)
God uses Jereboam to save Israel (2 Kin 14:27)
He does evil in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kin 14:24)
South
Uzziah/Azariah reigns for 52 years
He has military success (2 Chron. 26:11-15)
He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord to a degree (2 Chron 26:4-5)
He allows the high places to remain (2 Kin 15:4)
He was proud in his power which led to his downfall (2 Chron 26:16)
He usurped priestly authority by offering incense unlawfully
He became leprous while arguing with the priests
The northern kingdom is going to fall soon (about 40 years)
Religious Setting
Religious Setting
Prosperity and restoration of global power for both the North and South
False worship disguised as true worship
Injustice behind the illusion of piety
A Declaration of Judgment
A Declaration of Judgment
1 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
2 He said:
“The Lord roars from Zion
and thunders from Jerusalem;
the pastures of the shepherds dry up,
and the top of Carmel withers.”
Who is the God of Amos?
Covenant review
2 descriptions of God
The Lord roars
Lion imagery is a theme in Amos
The Lord thunders
2 responses to God
The pastures dry up
The top of Carmel withers
The declaration of judgement begins with God
Our society struggles with the judgment of God because we do not understand the character of God
Be Comforted by God’s Judgment
Be Comforted by God’s Judgment
New International Version (2011) Chapter 1
Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors
Throughout its history, Israel has repeatedly clashed with and been dominated by its neighbors.
God is not blind to their evil actions and will respond.
Repeated structure emphasizes the consistency of God’s judgment
For three sins… even for for
Because
I will
Why is God’s Judgement Better than Ours?
Why is God’s Judgement Better than Ours?
God’s judgment is infallible
He does not make mistakes or lack information
Politics
God’s judgment is impartial
He is not biased
Neighborhood fights
God’s judgment is incorruptible
He is not unjustly moved
Bribes in Africa
God’s judgment is effective
It actually brings about an effect
Potty training a child who likes showers
God’s judgment is merciful
God’s emotions do not cloud his ability to judge
Mob violence
God’s judgment is restorative
God’s judgment creates rather than destroys
This is only 6 of the 8 kingdoms who face judgment though
God’s judgement climaxes with his people
He names 8 kingdoms
What order?
Not geographical
By kinship
3 neighbors (Damascus, Gaza, and Tyre)
3 cousins (Edom – Essau, Ammon and Moab – Lot)
2 kingdoms
Be Concerned by God’s Judgment
Be Concerned by God’s Judgment
New International Version (2011) Chapter 1
Judah
This section concludes with the two nearest kingdoms – God’s people
The format is exactly the same
This emphasizes the God’s people ought not delight in God’s judgment on the outsiders without deep self-reflection
Imagine the response of the false prophets, corrupted priests, and faithless kings to chapter 1. They would delight in the destruction of their enemies and praise God for his power.
But here in chapter 2, God’s gaze turns towards his people
In many ways their sin is greater
They have received the law but disobeyed it (v. 4)
Amos 2:4 “4 … Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees,
They have been introduced to the true God, but have pursued false idols (v. 4)
because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed,”
They have been plucked out of poverty and obscurity by God yet they treat the poor with injustice (6-7)
Amos 2:6–7 “6 … They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. 7 They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed.
They have been called to purity but participate in sexual immorality (7)
Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
They use stolen goods in worship (8)
Amos 2:8 “8 They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.”
They have been rescued from their enemies but reject the rescuer (9-10)
Amos 2:9–10 “9 “Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below. 10 I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites.”
They have heard from God himself through the prophets but they have rejected and corrupted the prophets (11)
Amos 2:11 “11 “I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the Lord.”
What about you?
The American church has been far more concerned about the sins of unbelievers than it has about its own sin
Our hypocrisy is not hidden
The answer isn’t to compromise on what God teaches about morality when the world condemns us; it is to pursue holiness and purity in our own lives first.
