Amos was a humble shepherd from the Southern Kingdom whom God sent to prophecy in the Northern Kingdom. His courageous preaching was based on his zealousness and his conviction of God’s absolute sovereignty.
Golden calf worship and other forms of idolatry were deeply rooted in Israel. The people were characterized by spiritual apathy, arrogance, hypocrisy, greed, injustice, moral laxity, and materialism. The luxurious lifestyles of the wealthy were built on the exploitation of the poor. Empty ritualism had taken the place of true worship, but Amos exposed the spiritual corruption beneath religious formalism. He brought intense messages of rebuke and judgment in graphic figurative language.
Amos adamantly warned the people that God demands righteous behavior. He dispelled the myth that Jehovah’s promises to Israel guaranteed perpetual national blessing. Obedience to His covenant was not optional, but the people did not respond to God’s warnings. Although He is patient and gracious, He will not allow sin to go unpunished indefinitely. The only optimistic note in the book is at its conclusion when Amos gives a brief glance into the future Messianic kingdom.
Essay Questions
1. List the nations upon which Amos pronounced judgment and provide reasons for their chastisement (Ch. 1-2).
2. From Biblical resources, create a portfolio of Amaziah. What is this man’s complaint against Amos and why?
3. How does James apply Amos’ message? Compare Amos 9:11-12 with Acts15:16-17.
Summarize the three sermons in Amos:
4. Present Sins Demand Punishment (Ch. 3).
5. Past Sins Require God’s Redemptive Chastening (Ch. 4).
6. Future Sins of Israel Will Meet Inevitable Judgment (Ch. 5-6).
Identify, list, and give the significance of each of Amos’ five visions in chapters seven through nine.
7. The Vision of the Locusts
8. The Vision of the Fire
9. The Vision of the Plumb Line
10. The Vision of the Summer Fruit
11. The Vision of the Stricken Doorposts
12. List the five promises found in 9:11-15.