Amos was a farmer that God called and made a prophet.
This book contains 9 chapters and can be divided into 3 sections or 3 natural divisions.
Section 1 Chapters 1-2 teaches the judgment of God
upon the neighbors that border Israel. As well
as Gods displeasure against Israel.
Section 2 Chapters 3-8, God outlines his anger at
Israel and announces impending doom as a
consequence of her stubborn impenitent actions.
Section 3 7-9 Five great visions point
to the end and also holds open hope for Israel with the
Messianic prophecies that would one day be fulfilled.
God clearly defines punishment for the sins of Israel. Every time God stated he would punish the people the statement, “Hear this word”, was employed.
Israel was instructed to “prepare to meet thy God”. This instructive command should make all of us fear and tremble even as Christians.
Amos 1:1 Teaches us the background of when Amos was called and made a prophet for Israel.
Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa,
which he
saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days
of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
The time is under the reign of the successful and colorful King Jereboam II who reigned after the division of the nation of Israel from Judah. The date is calculated as 793 B.C. - 752 B.C.
The reign of Jereboam II was characterized by pomp and prosperity. The King had reclaimed the ancient domain and property from Hamath to the dead sea.
II Kings 14:25 He restored the border of Israel
from the entrance of Hamath
unto the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Jehovah,
the God of Israel, which he spake by his servant Jonah the son
of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.
The land had been restored from the territory of the Ammonites and the Moabites.
Amos 1:13 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions
of the children of Ammon, yea,
for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have
ripped
up the women with child of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.
Amos 2:1-3 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions
of Moab, yea, for four, I will
not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the
king of Edom into lime: but I will send a fire upon Moab, and it
shall devour
the palaces of Kerioth; and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting,
and with
the sound of the trumpet; and I will cut off the judge from the midst
thereof,
and will slay all the princes thereof with him, saith Jehovah.
Israel had been restored outwardly yet not spiritually to her former standing. The nation was very displeasing and sinful toward God.
King Uzziah reigned at this time in the kingdom of Judah. The reign of Uzziah would span 52 years.
Both Judah and Israel enjoyed much prosperity and wealth. The toll that the wealth and riches placed upon the kingdoms was tremendous. They both grew full of pride, the were consumed by their luxury and had become selfish and self absorbed.
The capitol cities were ripe with sin and unrightousness. The nation of Israel was filled with idolatry in the form of calf worship.
Amos was dispatched from Tekoan, a small obscure town in North Judah to go to Bethel and preach and prophecy against the sins and disobedience of Israel.
Amos was not the only prophet sent to israel from Judah. From
the south of Israel in Judah God had a young prophet dispatched who disobeyed
him earlier, I Kings 13:11-35
Amos described himself not as a prophet but as a herdsman and dresser of the sycamore trees. Amos further said that he was not a prophet nor the son of a prophet.
Amos was called from tending flocks to go to Israel and prophecy.
Amos 7:14-15 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I
was no prophet, neither
was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:
and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me,
Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
His mission was to preach to the people and warn them.
This farmer and herder was aquatinted with the fields for he speaks of the wild beasts, starry skies, the flood, tempest, and lightening.
Amos was also very familiar with the Law of Moses. The choice of Amos was made by god and was perfect in wisdom.
A prophet of prestige would have been seen as a spy and traitor in Israel, yet the farmer would not been seen in this light.
The problems Amos dealt with are as relevant as those on our newspaper and television screens today.
We are aware of the comparisons that might be made to the people then and the people today. Although Amos prophesied about 760 years before the birth of Christ his message is needed for our society today.
The major similarities Amos confronted and that we share today is as follows.
Prosperity, Luxury, oppression of the poor, Ritualistic worship, and Apostasy.
TRUST IN WEALTH AND RICHES
The people were consumed with their luxuries and wealth. They are described by the following phrases.
They had silk cushions, winter houses, summer houses, houses of ivory. The women called out for drink with indulgence on their lips.
Amos 3:12-15 Thus saith Jehovah: As the shepherd rescueth out
of the mouth of the
lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be
rescued that sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and on the silken
cushions of a bed. Hear ye, and testify against the house of Jacob,
saith the Lord Jehovah, the God of hosts. For in the day that I shall
visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also visit the altars
of Bethel;
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
And I will
smite the winter-house with the summer-house; and the houses of ivory shall
perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith Jehovah.
These people oppressed the down-trodden and crushed the needy.
Amos 4:1 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in
the mountain of Samaria,
that oppress the poor, that crush the needy, that say unto their lords,
Bring, and let us drink.
They had abandoned and sold righteousness for silver, and the needy for the price of shoes.
Amos 2:6 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of
Israel, yea, for four,
I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have sold
the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes
The luxury, wealth and convienence was not sinful nor the comforts. The sin was in their attention and focus on things fleshly and abandoning the spiritual things.
Sometimes in America we lose sight of the prize because of our things and possessions. Sometimes we allow our possessions to possess us. We become expert in majoring in minor physical things.
Hebrews 11:10 for he looked for the city which hath the
foundations, whose builder
and maker is God.
Matthew 6:21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart
be also.
AMOS AND HIS PREACHING
Amos was spoken against and discouraged by others to preach to the nation of Israel.
Amaziah told Amos to go back to Judah and preach.
Amos 7:13-15 but prophesy not again any more at Beth-el; for
it is the king's sanctuary,
and it is a royal house. Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was
no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a
dresser
of sycomore-trees: and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah
said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
Amos was told to let the people of Judah support and hear him, stay out of Israel with your message from God.
Amaziah was of a class of prophets that were hired to preach only positive messages. The church is full of men like Amaziah today!
Amos was not a hireling like Amaziah he was truthful and faithful to God.
The prophets of the people had softened their message for money and power. God and his will were weakened by the very people that should have stood strong. How much we see the church of today in ancient Israel!
The prophet Micah had likewise ben warned and instructed not to prophesy as was Amos.
Micah 2:6 Prophesy ye not, thus they prophesy. They shall
not prophesy to these: reproaches
shall not depart.
Hosea had pointed out that the people were dying in ignorance and had rejected knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected
knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing
thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
Isaiah has faced the rebellious people that told him only to prophesy smooth things and deceits.
Isaiah 30:10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the
prophets, Prophesy not unto us
right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
Just as there were many unfaithful prophets and few faithful prophets, there is many false teachers and few gospel preachers today.
Prophets like Amos, Hosea, Micah and Isaiah were few and far between. Jeremiah reminds us of the numbers of false prophets that placated the people in their sins.
Jeremiah 5:31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests
bear rule by their means;
and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
The church today needs men who will, “preach the truth” no matter
how unpleasant or unwanted.
II Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee in the sight
of God, and of Christ Jesus, who
shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and
his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine;
but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their
own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside
unto fables
In all sincerity, how would Amos fare today? Would he be
received in Nashville, Abilene, Montgomery, Memphis, and other cities in
America?
FORMALISM IN WORSHIP
The Israelites had become non-worshippers. They conducted their solemn assemblies and offered burt sacrifices only by rote formalism. They had not desire to worship in an acceptable manner. They were like many brethren today, they had just enough religion to be miserable.
The people had not abandoned worship outwardly but had abandoned it inwardly. They conducted many religious services as was described by Isaiah.
Isaiah 1:11 What unto me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
saith Jehovah: I
have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed
beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or
of he-goats.
They were not inactive but their was no zeal for worship as God prescribed.
The people worshipped to satisfy themselves not God.
Amos 4:4-5 Come to Beth-el, and transgress; to Gilgal,
and multiply transgression;
and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes every three days;
and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim
freewill-offerings and publish them: for this pleaseth you, O ye children
of
Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah.
Notice the sarcasm in the words of Amos about their worship.
They did not relate spiritual things such as morality, faith or practice to their life. They worshipped only as it soothed their conscience and did not inwardly accept God as their Lord and ruler.
They were content to serve God then steal from their fellowman. The showed outwardly they wanted to serve God but they afflicted the poor. They ignored Jehovah in their lives.
Their sacrifice was based of external action without regard to the will of the one they claimed to worship.
Today we need to speak to the church about these very matters.
Titus 2:10 not purloining, but showing all good fidelity;
that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
A worship without substance is on no spiritual value.
Amos 5:21-23 I hate, I despise your feasts, and I
will take no delight in your
solemn assemblies. Yea, though ye offer me your burnt-offerings
and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the
peace-offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the
noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
The Israelites surely wondered what God wanted yet never followed through.
God demanded justice and righteousness which the people ignored.
Amos 5:24 But let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness
as a mighty stream.
Through Micah God proclaimed this great truth also.
Micah 6:6-8 Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and
bow myself before
the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with
calves a year old? will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of
rams,
or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for
my
transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath
showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of
thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with
thy God?
IGNORANCE APATHY AND INDIFFERENCE
Apathy and indifference was summed up by a man in the church confronted by a tremendous problem facing the brethren. The man said, I don't know what's going on and and don't care what's going on. That is ignorance and apathy walking and talking.
The attitude of apathy and indifference was based upon their willingly leaving Gods will and word.
The calloused and hardened attitude of apathy and indifference was seen in Judah and Israel.
Amos 6:1-2 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and to them
that are secure in the mountain
of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house
of Israel
come! Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath
the great;
then go down to Gath of the Philistines: are they better than these kingdoms?
or is
their border greater than your border?
The people were not grieved at the affliction of Joseph.
Amos 6:6 that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves
with the chief oils;
but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
This illustrated a attitude that was pervasive in the nation as was manifested by the brethren of Joseph whom they sold into Egyptian slavery. They were as hard and uncaring as those which cast Joseph into the pit, and ate bread oblivious to his tears and cries.
Genesis 37:24-25 and they took him, and cast him into the
pit: and the pit was empty,
there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they
lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites
was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm
and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
The lack of concern for faithfulness, evangelism and study of God’s word is rampant in the church today!
The people were not concerned with anyone but themselves.
A comparison could be made to the church and her indifference to the lost and dying today.
The spirit and attitude of indifference and apathy leads to self-absorbtion and worldliness.
This will grow into compromise and apostasy if left to fester and develop.
Jesus warned the brethren of Laodicea about their indifference and luke-warm approach.
Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither
cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither
hot
nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
THE APOSTASY OF THE PEOPLE
God warned the people against turning from him to idolatry and wealth yet they abandoned him.
The danger is that one will not return and die undone before God and man.
Amos 4:11 I have overthrown cities among you, as when God
overthrew
Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a brand plucked out of
the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.
God warns the church to take heed and make our lives pure, we are the body of Christ.
Acts 20:28-30 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, in which the Holy Spirit
hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased
with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves
shall
enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own
selves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples
after them.
Unfortunately many of the shepherds today are growing apathetic and worldly themselves!
God through Amos made his stand against the people and their sins. Amos was an unwanted visitor just as God has been excluded from the lives of people today.
Amos is to be admired because of his faithfulness to God.
Israel would have done well to listen to the prophet. In 722 B.C. this nation fell to the Assyrians and was carried into captivity as a people, never to return!
The lessons of Amos did not die with Israel. All of God’s people
today need to look to the instruction and admonition of Amos and prepare
to meet our God.
The only way to be prepared is to be a Christian.
This means you will Believe Jesus as God's son. John 8:24
Repent Of Sins, Luke 13:3-5
Confess Christ before men, Romans 10:10
Be baptized for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38
Live faithful unto death, Revelation 2:10
Material from Jimmy Vest and other sources was very valuable in this study