Future Prophet - Amos

Prophet Amos was a sheepherder and dresser of the sycamore trees. In his book, we find one instance of God calling a man when he was occupied in his daily work (Amos 1:1). God called him, shepherd’s crook in hand, and sent him forth to gather his straying people. David was caring for his sheep and Gideon was at the threshing floor when they received their commissions.

On the wild uplands of Judah, beyond Tekoa, Amos received his training as a prophet straight from the hand of God. Though a native of Judah, he prophesied in and about Israel. He prophesied while Uzziah was on the throne of Judah and Jeroboam 2 was king of Israel. He feared God so much that he feared no one else at all. He always hit straight from the shoulder (Amos 1:2). He didn’t fail to tell even King Jeroboam 2 what he should do. God wanted someone to bear his message courageously, and Amos did not fail him. Israel needed a prophet who would tear the scales from their eyes and let them know the sure consequences of their idolatry, and Amos fearlessly set them forth. God abhors sin. The horrible cruelty of sin must be punished. The Law of our respective countries will be kept when we learn to keep the law of God. The Law of God is fulfilled in love.

Amos was humble, wise, clever, fearless and faithful.

In the first 2 chapters we see the Judgement against nations. Bethel was the religious capital of the Northern Kingdom. Idolatry was there. They had substituted calf worship for Jehovah. The people felt no need of preaching. But Amos started his preaching to the assembled crowds at Bethel, for it was a sacred feast day, by proclaiming the Lord’s judgement upon six neighbouring nations – Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistia), Tyre (Phoenicia), Edom, Ammon and Moab. Then he came near home and pronounced judgement against Judah (Amos 2:4), and against Israel (Amos 2:6) and finally the whole nation (Amos 3:12).

In chapters 3 to 6 we see the judgement against Israel (Northern Kingdom). Amos was called to tell of certain punishment (Amos 3). If people will reject the repeated warning of God, they must be punished (Amos 5). He told the people of Israel they were greedy, unjust, unclean and profane (Amos 2:6-12), and that they defended and excused themselves on the ground that they were God’s chosen people (Amos 3:2). He remained then that this made their sin the greater. The Israelites looked at their relationship to God differently. They saw it as merely as an outward and formal thing. They boasted that they were the chosen nation and no real evil could befall them. We see many professing Christians today in the same danger. They imagine their salvation is secured by their being members of a church. They are conferring a favour upon God and he cannot condemn them (Amos 5:21, 23-24).

Amos condemned Israel as she was a chosen nation and knew God’s law, and so her sin was the greater. He called the women of his day “cows of Bashan” because they only cared for luxury and worldly pleasures (Amos 4:1). God always warns before a punishment, yes, and offers a way of escape. God denounces sin, but he offers a remedy for sin. Israel’s rejection of repeated warnings should lead her to prepare for God’s judgement (Amos 5). If Israel had sought the Lord, “the day of the Lord”, spoken of in Amos 5:20 would not have overtaken her.

Amos tells of Israel’s coming Judgement in 5 visions.

·         The devouring Locusts (Amos 7:1-3)

·         The consuming fire (Amos 7:4-6)

·         The searching plumb line (Amos 7:7-11)

·         The basket of ripe fruit (Amos 8:1-14)

·         The Lord at the alter (Amos 9:1-10)

From chapter 7 to 9 he speaks regarding vision of future. When he spoke of the doom of the surrounding nations, the people were drawn to him and they cheered him. He was silenced by a false prophet, Amaziah. He was driven from Israel. Freedom of speech was not given the true prophet of God. He was not safe in Israel. When he found that Israel would not hear him, he returned to Judah and put his writings in a book so all people could read and understand it.

Amos tells us of bright future for God’s chosen people. The whole land will once again be a kingdom under the house of David (Acts 9:11-12). The tabernacle of David now torn down, shall be rebuilt (Acts 15:16-17). Israel shall be restored to her land and prosper. A happy people shall dwell in a happy land. Always keep in mind that the Jewish people who have been scattered over the face of the world are being gathered back to their land of promise. National prosperity will again flourish. Jerusalem shall be the capital of a mighty kingdom. Converted Israel shall be God’s witnesses (Amos 9:13-15).

What we understand from this book is about why great empires have fallen and the answer is sin. The secret of a great person’s undoing is sin. I pray that this book help you to see sin in its true light so that you can plead forgiveness from Lord and be saved and live a truthful and faithful life.