1. Prophets and Politics

2. Prophets & Prophecy The prophets were men/women with a special anointing to proclaim God’s message to his people Prophecy comes in two ways: – Foretelling – here is what is GOING to happen (future) – Forth telling – here is God’s perspective of you and your behavior (present)

3. AMOS EXAMPLES of FORTH TELLING: – Damascus because of their ill treatment of Gilead (1:3) – Gaza because they exiled an entire people to Edom (1:6) – Tyre because they delivered up a people to Edom and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood (1:10) – Edom his violent treatment of others

4. AMOS Examples of FORETELLING (Future) – Damascus will be burned with fire, its strongholds devoured, they will be exiled (1:4-5) – Gaza will be burned with fire, its strongholds devoured, the remnant of the Philistines will be perish (1:7-8)

5. The Prophets Role “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

6. Big Issues in Amos against the People Reject God’s Law (2:4) Oppress the poor (2:6; 4:1) Sexually immoral (2:7b) Syncretism (2:8)

7. Ways God tried to get their Attention Hunger (4:6) Thirst (4:8) Finances (4:7, 9) Death of youth (4:10) Whole cities destroyed (4:11)

8. Micah His attitude was humble (1:8) He was not afraid to confront sin (3:9-11)

9. God’s Perspective He gathers the humble (Micah 4:6-7) He calls out a small city to announce the messiah (Micah 5:2-5) Not religion, or sacrifice, but a relationship (Micah 6:6-8)

10. God’s Promise of Hope Forgiveness of Sin (7:18-19) His delight in Love (7:18) Faithful to keep his promises (7:20)

11. Politics?? Both Amos and Micah were called by God to prophesy to nations and governments. Yet much of their prophecy seem to speak directly to the people What is your role as God’s servant in calling out sin? What is the churches role in calling out sin?