Prayer 101 - Part 74: Christ In Amos

Listen to full episode :

Outline

Amos was a sheepherder from Tekoa(19km south of Jerusalem), a grower of sycamore figs, a rancher, breeder and farmer, and a substantial and respected man in his community. Amos came from the Southern Kingdom of Judah and was a contemporary of Hosea but he was sent to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His warnings were fulfilled in less than fifty years with the utter destruction of the Northern Kingdom. His visions though are not limited to the Northern Kingdom, but include the whole house of Jacob and the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom.

The purpose of Amos's prophecy is to awaken Israel and its surrounding nations to the fact that the nation is both responsible and accountable for its sins. His theme then, is national accountability for national sins, absence of true worship, and a lack of justice.

Amos lived in times of material prosperity during the reign of Uzziah(790-739 BC) in Judah and of Jeroboam II (793-753 BC) in Israel. Their long reigns had brought stability, prosperity and expansion to both kingdoms.

The Southern Kingdom of Judah - King Uzziah was a righteous king who enjoyed God’s blessing. He had subdued the Philistines to the west, the Ammonites of the east, and the Arabs to the south. His political influence was felt as far as Egypt. 2 Chron 26:1-15

The Northern Kingdom of Israel was at the zenith of its power. Jeroboam I had instituted idolatry 150 years earlier at Dan & Bethel. Religion flourished and the people maintained that their God was with them. They considered themselves immune to disaster.

POWERFUL INTRODUCTION

Amos 1:1,2

THE JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS

Yet from the outset of Amos Judgment was declared - first upon the 6 heathen nations(Israel’s enemies) and then upon Judah and Israel:

1. Judgment on Damascus - cruelty Amos 1:3-5

2. Judgment on Gaza - conspiracy to deliver to Edom Amos 1:6-8

3. Judgment on Tyre - conspiracy to deliver to Edom in violation of their covenant Amos 1:9,10

4. Judgment on Edom - slaughter without pity motivated by anger Amos 1:11,12

5. Judgment on Ammon - slaughter motivated by greed Amos 1:13-15

6. Judgment on Moab - spiteful vengeance against Edom Amos 2:1-3

7. Judgment on Judah - despised Gods law and did not keep His commands Amos 2:4-5

8. Judgment on Israel - mistreated the righteous and the poor, committed abominable fornication, revealed on the pledge taken from others, spoiled the houses of the condemned, caused the Nazarities to defile themselves, and didn’t like to listen to God’s prophets Amos 2:6-18

THE OUTCOME

Damascus — captivity of the people (1:5) happened 732 B.C. when Assyria took them captive to Kir

Gaza — total destruction (1:8) happened 734 B.C. when Assyria subjugated it and then the Maccabees destroyed it 168-134 B.C.

Tyre — destruction of its government (1:10) happened 332 B.C. when Alexander the Great besieged the city for seven months, killed 6,000, crucified 2,000, and sold 30,000 as slaves

Edom — destruction of its government (1:12) happened when Assyria subjugated it then it became a desolate wasteland by the 5th century

Ammon — captivity of the government (1:15) happened 734 B.C. when Assyria took control

Moab — destruction of its government (2:2-3) happened 734 B.C. when Assyria took control

Judah — destruction of its government (2:5) happened in 586 B.C. when Babylon took control

Israel — destruction and terror (2:14-16) happened in 722 B.C. when Assyria took control

THE MESSAGE TO ISRAEL

Prosperity was evidenced by the following:

Commerce thrived Amos 8:5

An upper class emerged Amos 4:1-3

Expensive homes were built Amos 3:15; 5:11; 6:4,11

The rich enjoyed an indolent indulgent lifestyle Amos 6:1-6

The poor became targets for legal and economic exploitation Amos 2:6-7; 5:7,10-13; 6:12; 8:4-6

Slavery for debt was easily accepted Amos 2:6; 8:6

Standards of morality had sunk to a low ebb Amos 2:7

Paul wrote of this in Rom 1:24-28

AMOS - AN OUTLINE

Destruction on the Nations Amos 1-2

The Prophetic Call Amos 3:1-8

The Judgment of Israel Amos 3:9 - 9:10

Samaria Shall be Judged Amos 3:9-4:5

God’s Past Judgments Amos 4:6-13

Lament for Israel Amos 5

Woe to the wealthy who are at ease Amos 6

The visions Amos 7-9:10

1. The locusts Amos 7:1-3 famine (it shall not be)

2. The fire Amos 7:4-6 consumed by fire (no)

3. The plumb line Amos 7:7-9 they do not measure up

4. The summer fruit Amos 8 The time is ripe for judgment

5. The Lord Amos 9:1-10 The Lord will personally oversee the judgment

The Restoration Amos 9:11-15

Amos 9:2

There is no escape from the judgment of God. You must repent and cone to the true altar of YWHH Heb 2:3

Salvation is available through obedience and faith Psalm 139

THE RESTORATION Amos 9:11-15

The Tabernacle of David

2 Samuel 7:8-11

2 Samuel 7:12-13 - Ez 29:21; 1 Sam 2:1,10; Ps 92:10; Ps 132:17

2 Samuel 7:14-15

Luke 1:31-33

Acts 1:6-9

Acts 15:15-18

Dan 2:44-45

Ez 37:24,25 ; Ez 34:23,24; Jer 30:9; Hos 3:5

In the Millennium, a new Israel(Northern+ Southern) will be united through Judah and the line of David - Amos 9:11; Jer 31:4-6; Ez 37:15-28

The Davidic Kingdom restored.

Deut 30:1-4 God will not let one repentant person to perish

Jesus Christ, who has all authority to judge, is also the One who restores.