“The Shepherd of Tokoa”

Series: “God Speaks”

Text: Amos 1:1-15

Introduction: (What?)

The second of the Minor Prophets chronologically is Amos. His time of service to God overlapped with several other prophets including Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah. However, he was somewhat different in the he was primarily a layman, a sheep breeder and fig grower, though often referred to as a shepherd. From visions God gave him Amos spoke out against the superficial religious institutions of his day. What he had to say is truly relevant to the time in which we live. There are parallels regarding materialism, immorality and treatment of the disadvantaged.

Amos, from the So. Kingdom (Judah 2 tribes; Simeon), whose king was Uzziah (remember Isaiah), was sent by God to the No. Kingdom, (Israel; 10 tribes) whose King was Jereboam II (a bad dude).

Explanation: (Why?

Background: Minor Prophets

The Minor Prophets (12 books) are not minor because they are less important. They are called Minor because they are shorter than the Major prophets( 4 prophets; 5 books) . Isaiah alone has 66 chapters. When you add Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel you will have 190 chapters. The 12 Minor Prophets contain only 66 chapters. On some occasions, they dealt with some of the same issues usually related to the the two kingdoms (Northern, Israel, 10 tribes; and Southern, Judah, 2 tribes).

Amos was a layman from Judah, and did not consider himself to be a professional prophet. He referred to himself as a “sheep breeder (1:1) and a sycamore fig grower” (7:14). His “call” to ministry was to the Northern Kingdom. Charles Swindoll said that Amos’s call was more like being drafted. God sent him on mission. His primary focus was speaking against the superficial religious institutions of his day. He didn’t write his book until he got back home in Judah. Some of the issues he dealt with are issues that we deal with today; justice; pride; and treatment of the poor.

2. Setting the stage: the Vision (vv 1-2)

“The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa---what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam, son of Jehoash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: ‘The LORD roars from Zion and makes His voice heard from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn and the summit of Carmel withers.”

Time frames in the Old Testament were usually set according the who was ruling at the time and what events took place. Uzziah reigned from 792-740 BC. A significant earthquake occurred @760 BC. Jeroboam II reigned in the Northern Kingdom from 793-753 BC. So Amos’s ministry happened around 762 BC.

In Amos’s vision God is depicted as being like a roaring lion which is ready to pounce on its prey. Israel was enjoying a time of peace and prosperity, but had let their guard down regarding their morals and business dealings. Immorality and corruption were wide spread. God took Amos, the “good ole country boy” (Swindoll) by the nape of the neck and dropped him in the Northern Kingdom with a very pointed message.

3. The judgments: (vv 3-15)

Amos began with a series of judgments that encircled Israel. He dealt with 6 Gentile nations/cities before he finally got to Israel. It is like a noose tightening around Israel’s neck.

vv 3-5 “The LORD says: ‘I will not relent from punishing Damascus (modern capital of Syria) for three crimes, even four, because they threshed Gilead with iron sledges. (a practice to make a defeated enemy’s crops unusable and replanting almost impossible.) Therefore I will send fire against Hazael’s palace and it will consume Ben-hadad’s citadels. (throne names used by all the kings of Damascus) I will break down the gates of Damascus. I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven (valley of wickedness) and the one who wields the scepter from Beth-eden (house of pleasure). The people of Aram (Syria) will be exiled to Kir. (dispersion) The LORD has spoken.”

The phrase “for three crimes, even four” which is repeated in each of the 8 oracles, had numerical meaning. 3= the cup of iniquity was full; 4= it overflowed. In other words, their sins were innumerable. This “country bumpkin” preacher from out in the desert near Bethlehem showed up in the cultural center of the Northern Kingdom and began to point out the sins of those around them. I’m sure that at first the inhabitants of Beth-el were amused as Amos railed against the surrounding territory. But hold on, their time is coming.

Vv 6-8“The LORD says: ‘I will not relent from punishing Gaza (strong city) for three crimes and even four, because they exiled a whole community, handing them over to Edom (red; named for Esau). Therefore I will send fire against the walls of Gaza, and it will consume its citadels. I will cut off the ruler from Ashdod (confusion, inclination, theft), and the one who wields the scepter from Ashkelon (important coastal city occupied by Philistines). I will also turn my hand against Ekron (Philistine stronghold), and the remainder of the Philistines will perish. The LORD God has spoken.’” Much of this prophecy is also found in Obadiah.

Four of the five major cities of Philistia are under this judgment. The fifth city, Gath, has already been destroyed by King Uzziah in 2 Chr 26:6

Vv 9-10 “The LORD says: ‘I will not relent from punishing Tyre (Phoenicia) for three crimes, even four, because they handed over the whole community of exiles (Judah) to Edom and broke a treaty of brotherhood. Therefore I will send fire against the walls of Tyre, and it will consume its citadels.’” The Prophet Ezra recorded in 26:-18 the complete defeat and destruction of Tyre by Alexander the Great @330 BC.

Vv 11-12 “The LORD says: ‘I will not relent from punishing Edom (Esau) for three sins, even four, because he pursued his brother (Jacob) with the sword. He stifled his compassion, his anger tore at him continually, and he harbored his rage incessantly. Therefore I will send fire against Teman (grandson of Esau after whom the town was named) and it will consume the citadels of Bozrah (a fortress and capital city of northern Edom which is in modern day Jordan).’” Esau’s anger and rage toward his brother Jacob brought on this judgment which even affected his family down through his grandson, Teman. The writer of Hebrews noted in ch. 12:15-17 “Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many. And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.”

Vv 13-15 “The LORD says: ‘I will not relent from punishing the Ammonites (descendants of Lot and his younger daughter) for three crimes, even four, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead (situated in modern day Jordan) in order to enlarge their territory. Therefore, I will set fire to the walls of Rabah (capital city of Ammon, east of the Jordan river), and it will consume its citadels. There will be shouting on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of the storm. Their king and his princes will go into exile together. The LORD has spoken.’” The heinous practice of ripping open pregnant women was a common practice in wartime in order to cut off the lineage of an ethnic group.

Application: (How does this impact my life today?)

God never overlooks or forgets about sin that has not been repented of. Time does not erase the sin, only repentance does. For that reason it is extremely important for us to ask the LORD to reveal un-confessed sin as David did in Ps. 139 23-24 “Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my concerns (or my inmost thoughts). See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” When you have prayed such a prayer, be still and listen to God. Whatever He brings to your mind is something for you to seriously consider. Sometimes the things He brings up will not even seem to be sin to you. However, the word CONFESS means to acknowledge, admit or own. When God says something is sin, there is no argument that can stand against it. Your failure or refusal to confess a sin God brings before you will not only affect you, but also your family.

Also, recognize that when you celebrate God’s judgment on others, it might be that you are guilty of the same sins.