The book of Amos was written by the prophet Amos. He was a shepherd, and a dresser of sycamore trees by trade. His prophecy was by inspiration of God, and lasted a very short time. Some scholars believe he prophesied just a few days. He prophesied during the reigns of Jeroboam the second in Israel, and Uzziah in Judah.
In the course of his writings, he used the expression "thus says the Lord" 40 times. He did not claim to be a professional prophet, and actually admitted to his lowly beginning. The name "Amos" means burden, or burden-bearer. And sense his message was mostly about the coming judgment of God on His people, he did indeed carry a heavy burden.
Chuck Swindoll writes, “More than almost any other book of Scripture, the book of Amos holds God’s people accountable for their ill-treatment of others. It repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace God’s idea of justice. They were selling off needy people for goods, taking advantage of the helpless, oppressing the poor, and the men were using women immorally (Amos 2:6–8; 3:10; 4:1; 5:11–12; 8:4–6). Drunk on their own economic success and intent on strengthening their financial position, the people had lost the concept of caring for one another; Amos rebuked them because he saw in that lifestyle evidence that Israel had forgotten God.”
The book of Amos has a timely word for all who hold themselves above others. Injustice is all around us today, and turning a “blind eye” to it, is not the answer. God has shown us what is good and what He requires of us in Micah 6:8, “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Not to embrace arrogance, self-righteousness, lawlessness, or materialism.
Amos communicated God’s utter disdain for the hypocritical lives of His people (Amos 5:21–24). His prophecy concludes with only a brief glimpse of restoration, and even that is directed to Judah, rather than the northern kingdom of Israel (9:11–15).
We will begin in chapter 1 tomorrow. God bless.
The Truth: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
In the course of his writings, he used the expression "thus says the Lord" 40 times. He did not claim to be a professional prophet, and actually admitted to his lowly beginning. The name "Amos" means burden, or burden-bearer. And sense his message was mostly about the coming judgment of God on His people, he did indeed carry a heavy burden.
Chuck Swindoll writes, “More than almost any other book of Scripture, the book of Amos holds God’s people accountable for their ill-treatment of others. It repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace God’s idea of justice. They were selling off needy people for goods, taking advantage of the helpless, oppressing the poor, and the men were using women immorally (Amos 2:6–8; 3:10; 4:1; 5:11–12; 8:4–6). Drunk on their own economic success and intent on strengthening their financial position, the people had lost the concept of caring for one another; Amos rebuked them because he saw in that lifestyle evidence that Israel had forgotten God.”
The book of Amos has a timely word for all who hold themselves above others. Injustice is all around us today, and turning a “blind eye” to it, is not the answer. God has shown us what is good and what He requires of us in Micah 6:8, “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Not to embrace arrogance, self-righteousness, lawlessness, or materialism.
Amos communicated God’s utter disdain for the hypocritical lives of His people (Amos 5:21–24). His prophecy concludes with only a brief glimpse of restoration, and even that is directed to Judah, rather than the northern kingdom of Israel (9:11–15).
We will begin in chapter 1 tomorrow. God bless.
The Truth: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
