Amos
Twelve Minor Prophets With Major Life Lessons (Series)
Historical setting:
Before Amos began prophesying for the Lord, he had been one of the shepherds of Tekoa, in the hill country of Judah.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel, to whom Amos’ message was directed, was at the pinnacle of its power. The rich enjoyed an indulgent lifestyle, while the poor became targets, for exploitation.
Chapters 1-2
Amos accuses the nations surrounding Israel. Then Amos accuses Israel in much stronger way then he accused the other nations.
-How the rich ignore the poor.
-Selling the poor into debt slavery.
-Refusing them from any legal representation.
There will be a reckoning.
How we treat those who can’t defend themselves, the lost, and the outcast, is important to our Lord.
Do you need to repent for treating anyone poorly?
Chapters 3-6
Israel was called to be a blessing to everyone, but they receive serious consequences instead. Amos writes poems about their religious hypocrisy. Amos calls Israel to true worship.
Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos accuses Israel of Idolatry again. (1 Kings 12) When Israel separated from Southern Judah, they built two temples and put a golden calf in each one. Over time they also worshipped idols for weather, sex, and war, which led to injustice for the poor.
Amos said true worship means being just and doing good, and because Israel rejected God’s truth from Amos and the other prophets, God will send the Day of the Lord. The Assyrian empire was the answer to that promise of the Day of the Lord, 40 years later.
Chapters 7-9
The book ends with multiple visions. These visions represent the coming Day of the Lord. Israel is overcome by a swarm of locust, a blazing fire, and then they are swallowed like fruit. In the final vision of Amos, God collapses the pillars of the Idols in Israel’s temple at Beth El.
This represents the false gods and the leaders of Israel. Their end will be severe, but there is still hope. Amos 9:11-15 is a vison of Israel as a destroyed building. God says, out of ruins, God will restore the House of David.
He will bring the Messianic King from the line of David and rebuild God’s family, including many from all nations.
