Amos 1
Amos gives the setting of his ministry and messages to Israel 1.
The Lord warns of His coming judgment against various nations of
the day 3-15. In each message, the Lord tells exactly why they will
face His judgment. The king is specified because he lead the nation
in their actions of sin. I notice that God's judgment brings to an
end (destroys) the nations so they are unable to continue in there
wicked ways. Oppression, violence, greed, and pride are widespread
sins. The Lord takes note of such things, even among those who do
not acknowledge or recognize Him. The world is accountable to the
Lord of heaven (see: Romans 3:9-20).
Amos 2
Moab is called to account by the Lord and found to be worthy of
judgment 1-3. Judah, His people are not exempt from examination or
judgment. They are judged for their rejection of the law of the
Lord and for the worship of idols 4-5. Note: You would think that
the people who had the very word of God would know and do better.
The reality is that they are just as bad and more accountable for
'the more light one has, the more he is responsible'. Israel in the
North is also full of iniquity 6-8. The Jews oppress the poor 6-7,
are immoral 7b, and worship false gods 8. The Lord reminds them of
His work to redeem them as His people in 9-10. He even gave them
prophets and Nazirites, who were individuals who were singled out
to represent and teach the ways of the Lord 11. They corrupted them
and rejected their (God's) word 12. For these reasons the Lord
would pursue, crush, and destroy them with no one able to escape
13-16. Note: What do you do with your knowledge of the Lord ? Does
this knowledge cause you to seek and serve Him ?
Amos 3
The Lord calls out to His people to listen to Him 1. They were His
chosen people and would be the objects of His judgment 2. If they
are to be His people with the blessing that brings, they must walk
(live) in agreement to Him 3. Everything has a purpose behind it
4-6. Thus, disaster has a purpose in the Lord 6b. The Lord (who is
sovereign) chooses to make His will known through His prophets 7.
They should heed the word of the Lord as the roar of a lion 8. The
Lord declares what is about to happen 9. Israel is oblivious to
what the Lord is doing because they are caught up in material
things 10.Their judgment is coming; the Lord Himself will destroy
their altars and their summer homes 13-15. Note: Having two homes
is not the issue. The focus was on these 'things' as an end in
itself. When I am not rightly related to the Lord, I can fill my
life with things that do not last. In fact, He may choose to remove
that which causes me to stumble, so that I will look to Him.
Amos 4
God pronounces judgment on these various places because of their
sins1-3. They thought they were ok because they kept the outward
observances, and then boasted about it 4-5. The Lord sent famine,
yet they did not return to Him 6. He sent drought, but they did not
return 7-8. He caused their gardens and vines to be blighted, but
they did not return 9. Even plagues did not move them back to God
10. Overthrow did not do it either 11. He warns them to 'prepare to
meet their God' 12. This was meeting Him in judgment . This should
cause them to shudder and fear since the Lord is the creator and
the Lord God Almighty 13. Note: Not every difficulty we face in
life is due to our sin, yet they should cause us to turn to the
Lord and seek Him. Also, it is appropriate to examine our hearts
and ask 'is there something in my life that the Lord wants me to
deal with before Him ?' (Maybe He is sending this difficulty to get
me 'back on track'. - see: Hebrews 12:4-13).
Amos 5
The people are called on by the Lord to hear this lament which He
takes up over them 1. It looks back on what things will look like
after the judgment of God falls on them 2-3. The Lord wants them to
seek Him 4,6, not the help of others 5. They corrupted justice 7
and now, the Lord who made all things and shows His power in
creation 8-9, will come to judge them 16-17. Their sins included a
refusal to hear the truth 10 and oppression of the poor
11a,12. They would not enjoy the things they had 11b. Note: Is
there a time to be silent under such conditions 13? Repentance
means a change of mind, heart, direction and actions as shown in
14-15. If they would reform their ways the Lord may turn to them in
mercy 15. Note: The Lord responds with mercy towards those who will
repent from sin. A woe (warning) is pronounced against those who
long for the 'day of the Lord' 18. (maybe because they thought it
would be against others and not themselves). It is not a pleasant
day but one of darkness and doom 19b-20. How bad must it have been
for the Lord to say He 'hated their feasts and offerings' 21-23.
Can it be that these were 'merely outward' with no connection to
daily life ? Knowing and following the Lord is to impact how one
lives 24. The Lord notes that they were corrupt in their ways from
the time of the exodus 25-26. They were just like their
forefathers. Note: We likewise are 'cut from the same cloth'. Thus
they will be sent into exile north of Damascus (ie. taken to
Assyria in 722 BC) 27.
Amos 6
The Lord pronounces a woe on all who were complacent 1. He warns
them by the example 2-3. While judgment falls, they do not weep but
'lounge around' 4-6. They will be the first to go into exile 7.
Note: Does tragedy cause me to weep before the Lord ? Should it ?
The pride of Jacob was an offense to the Lord who did not even want
the His name mentioned 8-10. The Lord will come with destruction
for these sins and will accomplish this by the hands of a nation He
will raise up 11-14. Note: Again there is a direct connection
between the sins of the nation and the judgment God brings upon
them. His judgment is always just and always 'earned' by those
experience it.
Amos 7
Amos has several visions in which he sees the Lord acting in
judgment against His people 1. He is moved to pray and plead for
God to be merciful 2-3. The Lord hears and does 'relent' 3,6. Note:
This exemplifies the importance of God's people being intercessors
in prayer. He also pleads the mercy of God against the fire of His
judgment 4-6. The Lord sets a 'plumb line' among His people (ie.
His holy standard) which becomes the standard by which He will
judge them 7-8. He will destroy all that is not 'plumb' 9. Verses
10-17 are a historical record Amos and Amaziah, the priest. He is
told to speak no more the word of the Lord 10-13. It was not the
kind of messages that they and the king wanted to hear. Amos had no
choice but to speak what the Lord gave him for the people 14-16.
Note: There are many portions of God's Word that are not easy to
hear or to heed, however we have no place to say 'stop' or 'I do
not want to hear any more'. This priest would face the judgment of
God himself and in his family, just as sure as the nation would
also 17. Note: It would have been better for him had he listened
and repented, pleading for the Lord's mercy.
Amos 8
Like a basket of ripe figs, so the nation of Israel was 'ripe' for
the Lord's judgment 1-3. Note: There comes a point in time where
judgment falls on a person or a people. It can not be held back any
longer. Sadly, at that point, there is no place for repentance or
mercy. In their pride, this people could not wait till the Sabbath
(the Lord's day) was over so they could go back to selling and
making money 4-5. They oppressed the poor in all this 6. The Lord
would not forget or overlook this 7. Darkness and mourning would
come upon them 8-10, so would a famine of 'hearing the word of the
Lord' 11. They would seek a word from Him, but would not have it
12. The songs would become faint 13 and they descend to invoking
false gods 14. Note: Part of God's judgment is the 'wrath of His
abandonment'. Where He withdraws His blessing and presence so that
one if left to himself and the consequences of sin. (Romans
1:18-32). At some point, it is too late to seek out the word of the
Lord because it will not be found (see: Proverbs 1:20-33). In our
present day we are in the 'age of grace' and God's favor; so seek
Him while He may be found and call on Him while He is near !
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
Amos 9
Here Amos sees the Lord standing by the altar and pronounces
judgment on His people 1-3. They will have no place to hide or
escape 4. The Lord Almighty will bring these things to pass 5-6. He
is the One who brought the people out of Egyptian bondage 7. The
Lord would judge His people, yet He would leave a 'remnant' 8.
Among the nations He would sift them 9 and destroy the ones who
mocked at God's judgment 10. Verses 11-15 is a promise for Israel's
future. The Lord would restore and rebuild them as His people 11.
His blessings on the land would be granted 13. The people would be
regathered and put back in the land 14. When this happens, they
would never be uprooted again 15. Note: God has a sure and certain
future for His people. This is all according to plan, His plan.
God's people, remain His people forever. What mercy and grace God
bestows. Glory to His Name !