Amos

Background Amos means “burden bearer” –His call to be a prophet is in 7:10-17 –He has been called the prophet of justice Theme: announcement of coming doom because of the sinfulness of the Northern Kingdom (7:11) The book of Amos is divided into 3 parts –Oracles of doom for the nations –Oracles of doom for Israel –Oracles of hope

Oracles Against the Nations Amos 1-2 God will punish Israel’s neighbors for their transgressions (3 or 4) God is not just a god of the hills but is concerned with punishing sin wherever it occurs – 1 Kings 20:23, 28 –Damascus, Gaza (Philistines), Tyre, Edom, the Ammonites, Moab and Judah

Oracles Against Israel God lists Israel’s sins and calls for the waters of justice to roll down – 2:6-7, 12; 5:7, 10, 11, 12, 24; 8:5-6 Israel must learn to hate evil and love good – 5:15 Israel had not neglected religious forms –They had a zeal for the festivals and offerings – 4:4-5 –They were confident of their own righteousness – 5:14; 9:10

Oracles Against Israel They had rejected God’s messengers and refused to repent – 2:11-12; 4:7-11; see also Zechariah 3:2 Israel needed to prepare to meet God – 4:12 They had an outward form without a true spiritual commitment – 5:21-27; 6:1; compare Prov. 28:9; John 4:24; Rev. 2:1-7 Thus, Amos shows the sins of Israel and coming punishment – 2:6; 9:10

Oracles of Hope Amos 9:11-15 David’s tent, or the house of his rule, will one day be restored –This descendant would rule as in the days of old, or over Israel & Judah combined, which is used to prove the Gentiles would be accepted – Acts 15:14-18; 3:18, 21, 24-27; Luke 1:67-79 Planting and harvest would overtake one another and good flow to God’s people – John 4:34-38; Phil. 3:20; Eph. 1:3

Realizations from Amos God is everywhere – 9:2-4 The futility of wickedness, since all are punished – Psalm 9:17; Prov. 14:34; 16:12 The surety of judgment – Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Luke 8:17