INTRODUCTION TO AMOS

Amos says of himself, 'I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel'' (7:14,15). He was from Tekoa in Judah, but he was called to speak God's word to Northern Israel. He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel, in about 760 BC, some 40 years before the Assyrian conquest of Samaria, capital of Israel. He was not a religious professional, but he spoke with authority because he spoke the word of God. The phrase 'This is what the Lord says...,' or its equivalent is repeated more than 20 times. Amos was a country man, but he had a world view. He speaks of God's universal judgment on all nations. God is the Sovereign Lord of all men and nations. Amos preached repentance. He lived in a time of crisis; but no one knew that it was a time of crisis. From a military and political point of view, Jeroboam II was a strong king. The wealthy people enjoyed false security and lived in luxury on wealth squeezed from the poor. Idolatry and injustice flourished. The nation was rushing downhill to destruction. Amos called for justice and righteousness. The key verse is 5:24.

(i) Judgment on the Gentiles--1:1-2:3; (ii) Judgment on Israel--2:4-16; (iii) Israel's guilt--3:1-6:14; (iv) Five visions-- 7:1-9:10; (v) Israel's restoration--9:11-15.

1. A roar of warning (1:1-10)

The God of Israel, whose throne is in Jerusalem, is Sovereign Lord of all the earth. When he saw the wickedness of the Gentile nations, he roared like a lion ready to pounce on his prey. His roar is a warning of judgment. Damascus was the capital of Syria; Gaza, the capital of Philistia; and Type, a wealthy trading center in its own right. These were nations who had harassed Israel from early times. Hazel king of Aram, treated God's people so ruthlessly (2Ki 8:12). Philistia and Type engaged in slave trade with Edom. The Sovereign Lord would judge these crimes against humanity.

2. Judgment on Edom, Ammon, Moab (1:11-2:3)

Each of these nations had a blood tie with Israel. But they, too, had been enemies. God would punish them because of their inhumanity and lack of regard for their brothers, God's people, in Israel.

Application: Sovereign Lord, attune our nation's ears to hear your roar, and help us to repent.
One Word: The Lion roars from Zion