Prophet of Social Justice AMOS
INTRODUCTION
AMOS – SHEPHERD IN TEKOA, 12 MILES SOUTH OF JERUSALEM AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF BETHLEHEM From southern kingdom but prophesied in Israel Dated himself during reigns of Uzziah (Judah) and Jereboam II (Isa.) 30 years before captivity of north Chapter 7:10-17
TYPICAL APPROACH USED IN AMOS Speaks out against neighboring countries Addresses Israel’s sins Declares there is hope
SINS OF NEIGHBORING NATIONS Chapters 1 and 2
WHY PUNISH OTHERS? They have treated God’s people unjustly They did not have law?! Rom. 1:18- 20
SOME NATIONS MENTIONED Damascus – threshing Gilead Gaza – Delivered captives to Edom Tyrus – delivered captives to Edom Edom – pursuing his brother without pity Ammon – cruelty to Gilead (ripped open pregnant women) Judah – rejected God’s law
ISRAEL In same context, Israel condemned for sin Materialistic Oppress poor Incest Fraud – clothes by pledge, have to be returned by night What God has done Destroyed their enemies Delivered them from Egypt There were prophets and from Israel They responded by rejecting them
ISRAEL (CONT) God is hurt, but has to punish them “Weighted” down by all this God’s just nature requires him to punish injustice
CHAPTERS 3-5 Israel: Addressed
CHAPTER 3:2-8, ISRAEL CHOSEN Got more will surely be punished more, Luke 12:41-48 God knows all – certainty of justice – only right!! Chapter 3:11-15 – certainty of justice – only right!!
CHAPTER 3:11-15 Foretells captivity
CHAPTER 4 – CONDITIONS OF ISRAEL V. 1-3, heathen wives will leave to captivity V. 4-5, go through rituals V. 6-11, God had tried to motivate Israel to come back V Powerful
CHAPTER 5:4-15, TOLD TO SEEK GOD V. 4-5, anywhere else is trouble V. 6-7, Do it before it is too later V. 8-9, God made all and will initiate destruction V , Seek God by seeking Good V , no hope in evil They wanted God to come but if not ready…
CHAPTER 6 Earthly pleasures/prosperity will become curse
V. 1 Woe/beware if you are “at ease” – satisfied, complaicent
SEVERAL THINGS MENTIONED AND PUT INTO THEIR PLACE Furniture Food idle entertainment Alcohol Oils Parties Houses
V. 11 Destruction
CHAPTER 7:1-9:6 5 visions
CHAPTER 7:1-3 – LOCUST Amos prayed God changed his mind
CHAPTER 7:4-6 Fire – again Amos prayed and God changed mind
CHAPTER 7:7-9 Plumbing
CHAPTER 7:10-17 Authorities tried to stop Amos
CHAPTER 8: ISRAEL “RIPE” OR READY FOR DESTRUCTION V. 4-10, Israel’s sins Trample needy Dishonest scales This all will end
CHAPTER 8:11-14 Famine of God’s Word
CHAPTER 9:1-4 No escape Lesson for today? A day of reckoning will happen!
STILL HOPE – IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING! God has been good to his people – out of Egypt Identity of people or nation will be lost – remnant left Jeremiah 30:11 Jeremiah 31:36 Joel 2:32
PEOPLE SIFTEN
SINNERS WILL “DIE” By sword Will try to deny inevitable
PERMANENT MESSAGES IN BOOK God’s diving nature 4:13, 5:8, 9:5-6 Sincere worship 5:21, 5:23 Social justice 5:24, 2:6-8, James 1:27
PERMANENT MESSAGES (CONT) Responsibility comes with privilege Meaning of adversity God will never stop warning Need for all to have personal conviction 7:14-15, even a prophet Cannot be done by proxy