Amos the Prophet

Amos derived from Hebrew root “amas”

“to lift a burden, to carry”

“Burden-Bearer”

Amos: the man

• A native of Tekoa (near Jerusalem); a city built on a hill overlooking the wilderness of Judah, one of the most desolate areas in Canaan.

Tekoa

• 6 miles south of Bethlehem

• 12 miles south of Jerusalem

• about 18 miles west of the Dead Sea

Amos: the man

• A native of Tekoa (near Jerusalem); a city built on a hill overlooking the wilderness of Judah, one of the most desolate areas in Canaan.

The date:

•Amos lived during the days when the reign of Jeroboam II in the north overlapped with the reign of Uzziah in the south.

•Most scholars date his work around 760 – 750 B.C.

• Occupation: a herdsman of sheep (1:1) and a gatherer of sycamore fruit (7:14)

Background:

• Due to a 60 year respite from the east (Assyria), Judah and Israel had enlarged & strengthened their borders. (It was also during this time that Jonah visited Nineveh).

• Through trade, agriculture, and conquest they were able to bring prosperity to the people.

• The leadership in Assyria changed and the monarch immediately set out on a conquest that would include the west.

• It was during this time of prosperity and wealth, prior to the new monarch in Assyria, that Amos was called to prophesy to the nation.

Background:

• The luxury of the nation is clearly seen in the prophets comments (3:12 ; 3:15 ; 6:3-6)

• Moral & Political corruption: the treatment of the poor (5:11-12) ; the general contempt for things holy (2:6-8); disorder, oppression, violence & robbery (3:9-10)

• Religious corruption: they were showing outward “worship” but it was not acceptable to God (4:4-5); Religious fervor was high, but true spiritual devotion to God was utterly lacking (8:5-6)

The message:

• DOOMa) To the Jew, the nation overshadowed the individual.

b) To the Jew, every nation outside his own was unclean.

THE DOOM OF EXILE MEANT THE COLLAPSE OF ALL THAT WAS DEAR AND GLORIOUS

For all their corruption, God would bring them into judgment, therefore “prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (4:12)

Outline:• Chapters 1-2

God’s Judgments on all the nations

• Chapters 3-6Basis of God’s Judgment

• Chapters 7-9God’s Judgment is Inevitable

There will be no escape

(Ch. 1:3 – 2:3) ; Punishment of the nations bordering Judah & Israel

• Damascus, Gaza of Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab

God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2)

(Ch. 1: 1-2) ; “The LORD roars from Zion”

• He will excite terror into the hearts of the people

DamascusTyre

Ammon

Moab

Edom

Gaza

Judah

Israel

(Ch. 1 – 2:3) ; Punishment of the nations bordering Judah & Israel

God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2)

• Damascus – for their cruelty in war (1:3-5)

• Gaza of Philistia – slave traffic (1:6-8)

• Tyre – delivered up “brothers” (1:9-10)

• Edom – for implacable hatred for Israel (1:11-12)

• Ammon – intense and uncalled for cruelty (1:13-15)

• Moab – vengeance even on a king’s carcass (2:1-3)

(Ch. 2:4-5) ; Punishment of Judah

• sin was religious apostasy

(Ch. 2:6-16) ; Punishment of Israel

• sins were injustice, oppression, shameless immorality, contempt for the LORD (2:6-8)

• Scornful contempt for the divine benefits bestowed (2:9-12)

• Inevitable consequences (2:13-16)

God’s Judgments on all the nations (Ch. 1-2)

(Ch. 3:1 – 4:5) ; Condemnation of the wealthy ruling classes for civil and religious inequities

• Jehovah had known Israel and therefore they must be punished (3:2)

• “A lion has roared” – God is warning through Amos of the impending judgment. (3:7-8)

• Civil oppression and inevitable judgment on the ruling class (3:9 – 4:3)- their enemies will gather to witness the tumult (3:9-10)- their adversary (called out by Hosea a couple of years later as Assyria, will surround them, take their strength, and plunder their palaces (3: 11)- the severity of the judgment (3:12-15)- a special judgment against the luxury loving women (4:1-3)- condemnation of their religious festivities (that they love) (4:4-5)

Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6)

(Ch. 4:6 - 13) ; Chastisements from Jehovah which have gone unheeded

• General famine, “cleanness of teeth” (4:6)

• Drought (4:7-8)

• Blight, mildew, and locusts (4:9)

• Pestilence, enemy attacks (4:10)

• Earthquake, burnings (4:11)

“Yet you have not returned to Me”

• Final doom for which to prepare (4:12-13)

“Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

Basis of God’s Judgments (Ch. 3-6)