Bible Study: The Prophet Amos - A Call to Justice
Introduction:
• Amos, a humble shepherd and farmer, was called by God to deliver a powerful message of judgment and restoration to Israel.
• His book speaks to the enduring themes of social justice, repentance, and God's unwavering righteousness.
• We'll explore Amos's background, his prophetic message, and its relevance for us today.
I. Amos: The Messenger:
• Background:
◦ Amos was a shepherd of Tekoa, a town about 10 kilometers south of Bethlehem.
◦ He was also a sycamore fig farmer and cattleman.
◦ His humble origins contrast with the powerful message he delivered.
◦ His name, "burden bearer," reflects the weight of his prophetic task.
• Call to Prophecy:
◦ God called Amos to prophesy in both Judah and Israel.
◦ His primary focus was on the northern kingdom of Israel, which had fallen into deep sin.
◦ God uses common people to deliver his message.
II. Historical Context:
• Israel's Sin:
◦ Israel had embraced idolatry, particularly the worship of golden calves, established by Jeroboam I.
◦ The wealthy aristocracy lived in luxury and indulgence, ignoring the needs of the poor and oppressed.
◦ The worship of prosperity over God is a reoccurring problem.
• Political Situation:
◦ Amos prophesied around 760 BC, during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah (generally righteous, but became arrogant) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (evil).
◦ Israel was experiencing a period of apparent prosperity, but spiritual decay was rampant.
• The divided kingdom:
◦ After the reign of Solomon, the 12 tribes of Israel were divided into two kingdoms. Judah(south) and Israel(north). Amos was called to preach to the northern kingdom.
III. The Message of Amos:
• Theme: Judgment of Sin:
◦ Amos's central message is the impending judgment of God on Israel for its social injustices and spiritual apostasy.
◦ He calls for a return to righteousness and justice.
• Book Outline:
◦ Judgment on the surrounding nations (Amos 1-2): God's justice extends beyond Israel.
◦ Judgment on Israel for their sins (Amos 3-6): Specific condemnations of their social and religious failings.
◦ Visions of Judgment (Amos 7-9): Symbolic depictions of God's coming judgment.
▪ Locusts, fire, plumb line: Visual representations of God's measuring and judging.
▪ Summer fruit: Signifying that Israel is ripe for judgement.
▪ The Lord at the altar: Showing that Gods judgement is sure.
• Key Messages:
◦ "Behold, I will shake the earth under you like a cart loaded with sheaves" (Amos 2:13): God's judgment will be severe.
◦ "Seek me and live" (Amos 5:4): A call to repentance and restoration.
◦ "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live. Hate evil, and love good" (Amos 5:14-15): A call to live righteously.
◦ “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “that I will send a famine in the land, not of bread or of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They will wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they will run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but will not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12): A warning of spiritual famine.
• Messianic Hope:
◦ Amos 9:11-15: A prophecy of the restoration of David's fallen tabernacle, pointing to the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ.
IV. Application:
• Social Justice:
◦ How does Amos's message challenge us to address social injustices in our communities?
◦ How can we live out God's call to "seek good" and "hate evil"?
• Repentance and Restoration:
◦ How can we apply Amos's call to "seek the Lord" in our own lives?
◦ What areas of our lives need repentance and restoration?
• God's Justice:
◦ How does Amos's message help us understand God's justice and righteousness?
◦ How can we trust in God's justice, even when we see injustice in the world?
• Spiritual Famine:
◦ How does the warning of a spiritual famine apply to our current world?
◦ How can we make sure we are feeding ourselves with the word of God?
• The hope of Jesus:
◦ How does the prophecy of Amos 9:11-15 give us hope in Jesus?
Conclusion:
• Amos's message is a timeless reminder of God's concern for justice and His call to repentance.
• His book challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, and to seek God's righteousness.
• The book of Amos shows us that God will judge sin, but also that he will restore his people.
