articlesforchristians

Author

• Amos
• Amos means “Burden Bearer”

Date

• 760-750 B.C.
• During the reign of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel.

Theme

• The judgment of God coming to the northern kingdom of Israel.

Purpose

• Amos was taken from shepherding the herds and tending the crops to be a voice of warning to the northern kingdom of Israel. It was a time of great prosperity for both Judah and Israel. Idolatry was rampant the rich were living in luxury, the poor were being oppressed, and the judicial system was corrupt.
• Amos prophesied that unless there was a change in heart God’s hand of judgment would
  come upon them. The people of Israel mistook their prosperity for a sign of God’s approval and blessing.

Content

• Judgment of Israel’s neighbors: Amos 1:1-2:5
  • Amos 1:3 Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
    • The neighboring countries are Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom Ammon, Moab, Judah
• Judgment on Israel: Amos 2:6-16
  • Amos 2:6,7(NKJV) Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, To defile My holy name.
• Israel’s guilt 3:1-6:14
  • Amos 3:1-3(NKJV) Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
• Five visions: Amos 7:1-9:10
  • Vision of Locust
  • Vision of Fire
  • Vision of the Plumb Line
  • Summer Fruit
  • Destruction of Israel
• Restoration: Amos 9:11-15
  • Amos 9:11-15(NKJV) On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the LORD who does this thing. Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it. I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the LORD your God.

Christ in the Book of Amos

• In the Book of Amos, there are several connections to Jesus:
  • Similar Backgrounds: Both Amos and Jesus came from humble beginnings and were seen as outsiders with important messages for the people.
    • Shepherd
      • John 10:4,5(NKJV) And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
  • Servant Leadership: Amos lived a life devoted to service, paralleling Jesus’ teachings and lifestyle.
  • Burden Bearers: Amos expressed deep concern for the sins of the people, similar to how Jesus bore the burdens of humanity.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The messages in Amos point towards the coming of Jesus, who fulfills the intentions of God for humanity.
• These connections illustrate how the themes in Amos resonate with the life and mission of Jesus.