AMOS at a glance

PURPOSE: To pronounce God’s judgment upon Israel (the Northern Kingdom) for its complacency, idolatry, and oppression of the poor.

THE AUTHOR: Amos

WHEN WRITTEN: Approximately 760-750 BC.

THE SETTING: The wealthy people of Israel were enjoying peace and prosperity. They were quite complacent and were oppressing the poor, even selling them into slavery. Soon, however, Israel would be conquered by Assyria, and the rich would themselves become slaves.

 

WHO WAS AMOS? - Amos was a man of God, a person whose life was devoted to serving the Lord and whose lifestyle reflected this devotion - but he was a layperson herding sheep and tending sycamore-fig trees in the Judean countryside. Amos was not the son of a prophet; he was not the son of a priest. As a humble shepherd, he could have stayed home doing his job, but God gave Amos a vision of the future and told him to take his message to the norther kingdom. Amos obeyed and thus proved he was a man of God. A fiery, fearless, and honest shepherd confronted Israel with their sin and warned them of impending judgment.

 

THE BLUEPRINT

 

1) ANNOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT (Amos 1:1 - Amos 2:16)

 

2) REASONS FOR JUDGMENT (Amos 3:1 - 6:14)

 

3) VISIONS OF JUDGMENT (Amos 7:1 - 9:15)

 

            Amos speaks with brutal frankness in denouncing sin. He collided with the false religious leaders of his day and was not intimidated by priest or king. He continued to speak his message boldly. 

                  God requires truth and goodness, justice and righteousness from all people and nations today as well. Many of the conditions in Israel during Amos’ time are evident in today’s society. We need Amos’ courage to ignore danger and stand against sin.

                  We must understand that things today are not all that different then they were back in OT times. Yes, the technology was obvious lacking back then, but sin is pretty much always the same. Love of fame and fortune isn’t linked to this day alone. Greedy arrogance has existed since the dawn of time. Therefore, guard your heart and stimulate your mind with God’s Word to remain refreshed and free from sin, but as John says in his first epistle, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

Even as believers we will sin from time to time. When we ask for forgiveness we shall receive it when it comes from a sincere and sorrowful heart. Forgiveness is always available to the repentant. Fear no one but God who can condemn your soul to hell. Live for God and stand strong in your faith. 

                  Up next is Amos’ Mega-Themes ... until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible