BOOK OF AMOS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• ORIGIN:Southerner of Tekoa(Amos 1:1).• OCCUPATION:Herdman (Amos 1:1,7:14).• King of Judah:Uzziah(790-740 BC).• King of Israel:Jerobeam II(793-753BC).• Spoke in Bethel(Amos 7:15) .• Believed to have returned back to Judah to write his

message.• Period of Ministry:Around 776-763 BC.

TRIVIA

• Out of 146 verses, the phrase “Thus saith the LORD” is occuring 40 times.

• The meaning of Amos is “to carry”.It may also refer to “Burden” and also “Burden Bearer”

• The earthquake during the reign of Amos is said to be the largest documented quake in the dead sea region during last four millenia. (Magnitude of 7.8-8.2 )

HISTORICAL SETTING

• Judah was under influence of Jerobeam II .• Israel appeared to be at it’s zenith of power (2 Kings

14:25-28)• People became arrogant due to the prosperity in

Northern Nation.• This arrogance resulted in injustice,greed,neglect

and persecution of poor and formalistic religion.

DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK

• Roar of Judgement of God(Chapters 1-2)• Reason for God’s anger(Chapters 3-6)• Three visions of God(Chapter 7)• God’s Judgement and Hope(Chapter 8-9)

Roar of Judgement

• God pronounces judgement on every nation that formed part of ancient world.

• God’s impartiality is evident that he din’t spare even his chosen nations-Israel and Judah.

• While pronouncing judgement to Israel and Judah, God reminds the history and blame them for turning unfaithful.

Reasons for God’s Anger

• Religious Hypocrisy(Amos 4:4-5)• Luxurious complacence(Amos 6:4-7)• Spoiling Nazarites and disallowing prophets to

prophesy(Amos 2:12)• Incorrigibleness of Israel(Amos 4:6-11)

VISIONS

• Vision of Locusts on rampage(Amos 7:1-3).• Vision of Fire(Amos 7:4-6).• Vision of Plumbline(Amos 7:7-9).

JUDGEMENT AND HOPE

• Vision of Ripe Fruit(Amos 8).• Description of God’s Judgement (Amos 9:8-9).• Promise of restoration(Amos 9:11-15).

DISCUSSION

REASONS TO FORGET GOD

• Rejection of Knowledge and commandments(Hosea 4:6)

• Listening to false prophets(Jeremiah 23:25-27)• Fear of mortal Man(Isaiah 51:12,13)• Idolatry(Hosea 2:13,Judges 3:7)• Luxury(Amos 6)

HISTORY OF EARTHQUAKE IN BIBLE• Day 3 of creation week(Genesis 1:9,10)-creation• Noah’s flood(Genesis 7:11)-Judgement.• Crossing the Red sea(Exodus 14,Psalm 77:18)-Deliverence.• Moses on Sinai(Exodus 19:18)-Exposure of God’s might.• Fall of Jericho(Joshua 6)-To conquer Jericho.• Korah’s rebellion and destruction(Numbers 6:31-33)-Destruction• Conquer of Philistines(1 Samuel 14:15)-Conquest.• Elijah on Mount Horeb(1 Kings 19:11)-Redemption of Elijah• Earthquake in Jerusalem(Amos 1:1,Zechariah 14:5)-Uzziah’s pride.(2 Chronicles

26),Judgement.• Crucifixion in Jerusalem(Matthew 27:51-54)-Indication of completion of

Salvation.• Resurrection(Matthew 28:2)-To roll away the stone.• Prison at Philippi(Acts 16:26)-Release of Paul,Silas and Salvation of Jailer.• Scientific purpose:For replenishment of worn away land.

SIMILARITIES –AMOS AND JESUS.

• Both spoke with the inspiration of Holy spirit.• Parables contained a significant part in their

illustration.• Both faced the opposition of priests.• Both were men of Humility.

Amos 3:7

• Amos 3:7 says “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets”.

• This is one among the verses strongly used by false prophets today.So,Beware.

• At the same time ,God truly reveals his plans to his true and Faithful servants too.

REASONS FOR GOD’S ANGER.

• Religious Hypocrisy(Amos 4:4-5)• Luxurious complacence(Amos 6:4-7)• Spoiling Nazarites and disallowing prophets to

prophesy(Amos 2:12)• Incorrigibleness of Israel(Amos 3:6-11).

REASONS FOR RESTORATION.

• Covenant made with Abraham(Genesis 22:17-18).• Covenant made with David(1 Chronicles 17,Amos

9:12)• God’s love(Amos 9:14-15).

COMPARISON BETWEEN PERIOD OF AMOS AND CHRISTENDOM TODAY

• Idolatry.• Spiritual Adultery.• Focus on Prosperity.• Despisement of Prophetic words.

AMOS 9:11

• “Famine of God’s word” actually refers to absence of Prophetic words from God.

• It doesnot actually mean scarcity of Bibles,rather scarcity of Preaching of Biblical Truth.

• Is this Famine of God’s word present in today’s christendom?.

Amos 9:7

• Amos 9:7 says “Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?" declares the LORD. "Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?”

• This leads us to the inference that God has worked in the history of every other nation too.

• It can be alluded to God’s impartiality even.• God also means here that People of Israel were similar to that

of Ethiopians(Jeremiah 13:23)• In History Ethiopians were said to be dark complexed and

strong idol worshippers.

SUMMARY

• Description of LORD’s judgement to all nations including Israel.

• Exposing Israel’s social oppression,empty religious ritual and arrogant self-confidence.

• Proclaim time of restoration after judgement.

REFERENCES

• Earthquake during Amos reign:http://www.icr.org/article/scientific-scriptural-impact-amos-earthquake/

• Other articles about Earthquakes and disasters 1. http://www.icr.org/article/earthquakes-these-last-days/

2.http://doesgodexist.org/JanFeb04/WhyDidntGodDoItBetter.html

• Pre Israelic Revelations: http://www.oration.com/~mm9n/articles/melchizedek/6.htm