Amos

I. Introduction

A. Second installment of reading program – Book of Amos

B. Briefly consider the written words of the Prophet

1. Remind that more may have been said

2. This is what He wrote and is left for us to study and learn

II. History and the Prophet

A. History – written ~ 760-750 bc

1. Prophesied during the reigns of

a) Uzziah – king of Judah

b) Jeraboam II – King of Israel

2. Called by God out of Tekoa – Amos 7:15

B. The prophet Amos

1. Herdsman of Tekoa (South near Bethlehem)

2. Gatherer of Sycamore fruit

3. Note: not a prophet or the son of a prophet

a) Layman – no formal training

b) Encouraging to Christians today – no need of a PhD to serve God

4. Country shepherd seen in his writing

a) Thro illustrations and Figures of Speech

b) Amos 2:13

c) Amos 4:1

d) Amos 6:12

5. Humble life with a difficult task

a) Native of Judea called to prophesy in Israel

b) Similar to a Bible reading southern farm hand going to NYC

C. The reception of Amos

1. Possibly well received at the beginning

2. May have been appreciated for his announcements of Judgment upon surronding nations

a) Then suddenly with as much strength and vigor he pronounces Judgment upon Israel

b) Like US citizen flinging insults to other nations, then with the same breath insult USA

3. Read Amos 7:10-13, 16-17

III. Overview of book (chart 1)

A. Eight burdens – 1-2 (chart 2)

1. Burdens or messages laden news of coming retribution

2. Each one begins with phrase
For Three Transgressions and Four

a) Not literal but idiomatic

b) Might say today

(1) Gone one too many

(2) Tipped the scale

c) Might even look at it like this

(1) 1^st God rebuked

(2) 2^nd God Threatened

(3) 3^rd God menaced with uplifted hand

(4) 4^th God smites

3. Also see the symbol of Judgment in each

a) Fire

b) Amos 1:4, 7, 10, 12, 14

c) Amos 2: 2, 5

4. Notice also the sins to be punished

a) Except Judah and Israel it was cruelties to other peoples/nations

b) Israel and Judah it was apostasy

B. Three Sermons 3-6 (chart 3)

1. Each begins with “Hear this Word

2. Each divided with “Therefore”

a) First part we see Judgment deserved

b) Last Part we see Judgment decreed

3. Read Chapter 3:noting 1^st sermon

a) 1^st – Amos 3:1-10; Therefore – Amos 3:11

b) 2^nd – Amos 4:1-11; Therefore – Amos 4:12

c) 3^rd – Amos 5:1-15; Therefore – Amos 5:16

(1) Followed by two Woes

(2) Amos 5:18

(3) Amos 6:1

4. Notice also what we see regarding Divine Judgment in the three addresses

a) 1^st Principle of Judgment – Amos 3:2

b) 2^nd Forbearance, before final blow comes minor warnings – Amos 4:6-11

c) 3^rd Uncompromising severity of Judgment on the impenitent – Amos 5:2,3; 6:8-14

C. Five Visions 7-9 (Chart 4)

1. Grasshoppers – 7:1-3

a) Asked for forgiveness

b) Judgment adverted

2. Fire – 7:4-6

a) Asked to cease

b) Judgment restrained

3. Plumbline – 7:7-17

a) Shows the righteous standard of God’s Judgment

b) Judgment Determined

4. Summer fruit – 8:1-14

a) Fruit – “dead ripe” – near ruin

b) Judgment Imminent

5. Standing on the alter

a) God smite the lintel of the door

b) Judgment executed

IV. Lessons from the Prophet

A. From the burden messages

1. God hold the nations men accountable

2. Apostasy and cruelty are treated alike

B. From the sermons of Amos

1. Failure to heed God’s chastisements brings punishment

2. God’s offer of repentance

a) Even with pronouncement of Judgment they could seek the Lord and Live

b) True today, Gospel proclaims Judgment and offers salvation 2 Cor 6:1-2

V. Conclusions

A. Many other lessons can likely be learned from this book

B. Close with the glimpse of a brighter future

1. Amos 9:11-15

2. The restoration of the tabernacle of David is for told

3. It is described in terms of agricultural abundance

4. James applies the fulfillment of this to the church and the inclusion of the Gentiles by the gospel – Act 15:13-17

C. Let us learn from the mistakes of Israel