Explore the Bible Lesson Preview January 13, 2013 Unseal the Indictment! Background: Amos 1:1 4:13 Lesson: Amos 1:1-2; 2:6-8; 3:6-8, 13-15

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview January 13, 2013 Unseal the Indictment! Background: Amos 1:1 4:13 Lesson: Amos 1:1-2; 2:6-8; 3:6-8, Motivation: In the time of Amos (c. 760 BC) Israel was prosperous and relatively strong. However, forty years later, the nation would be obliterated by the Assyrians. Through His prophets, God provided warnings of judgment and calls for revival. Judah experienced revival and delayed judgment for over 100 years. Israel is a case study of the nation that refused to repent. Examination: I. Warning to Surrounding Nations (1:1-2:3) A. Prophet and His Message (1:1-2) 1. Author The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa... (6) Amos means burdened. He came from a little wilderness village, Tekoa, in the Southern Kingdom but was called to prophesy in the Northern Kingdom. When challenged by authorities concerning his credentials, Amos responded: I was not a prophet; rather I was a herdsman and I took care of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and said to me, go, prophesy to My people Israel 1 / 14

2 (7:14-15) (Gen 7:1) 2. Date: In the days of Uzziah in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash two years before the earthquake (1) 3. Theme a. A Call to True Worship The Lord roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem (2) Jeroboam had set up false worship of the calf idol in Bethel and Dan. Amos established that God spoke from His temple in Jerusalem. b. A Cry of Judgment The pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers (2) Amos pronounces doom on seven nations around Israel before pronouncing judgment on his home nation. (Joel 3:16) B. Judgment on the Nations (1:3-2:3) 1. Judgment on the Neighbors a. Assyria (Aran) I will not relent from punishing Damascus for three crimes even four. (3) Assyria was the 800 pound gorilla to the north that God had used to punish Israel already. (I Kings 19:15-17). The judgment was for unusual cruelty they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron (3) that went beyond their God-ordained assignment. b. Philistia (Gaza) because they exiled a whole community handing them over to 2 / 14

3 Edom (6) the remainder of the Philistines will perish. (8) The indictment against the Philistines was for taking Israelite prisoners of war and selling them into slavery in Edom and Tyre. The literal fulfillment of the destruction of Philistia came under the reign of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:8. c. Phoenicia (Tyre) broke a treaty of brotherhood (9) King David and King Hiram of Tyre had negotiated a working relationship (2 Sam. 5:11; I Kings 5:1-12, 9:11-14, 7, 10:11) Although Israel never waged war on Tyre, Tyre was receiving Israelite slaves and shipping them to other countries. In God s eyes, they were covenant-breakers. Alexander the Great was used to fulfill this prophecy (as well as Ezekiel s, Chapter 26). The King of Tyre is used as a type of Satan in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28: Judgment Against Blood Relations a. Edom Because he pursued his brother with the sword (11) The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the Israelites descendants of Jacob. Because of their vengeful spirit, they were to be judged by fire which literally happened in their capitol city of Petra. b. Ammon They ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead (13) The Ammonites joined the Syrians in waging war on the tribes east of the Jordon. Their judgment came because of unusual violence especially toward women (2 Kings 3). The capitol of modern Jordan is Amman, built on the ruins of the Ammonites. c. Moab burned the bones of the King of Edom to lime (2:1) Moab was a nation of outcasts and heathens; but from them came Ruth, ancestor of David and Jesus. Because of barbaric acts, Moab shall die with tumult (2). They were totally wiped out by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar; we have no remnant of the Moabites today. Both Ammon and Moab were Lot s children by incest with his daughters. (Gen. 19:37-38) II. Warnings for God s People (2:4-16) 3 / 14

4 A. Judgment of Sister Kingdom because they have rejected the instruction of the Lord, and have not kept His statutes (4) Amos had described judgment upon all the surrounding nations; now his prophecy of judgment fell on Judah. The Southern Kingdom bore more guilt because they had been given more light. God had specifically and meticulously given His law which they had rejected. This prophecy would be fulfilled in 605 BC when the Babylonian armies sieged Jerusalem and took captives, in 598 BC when the walls fell and finally in 586 BC when the city was destroyed. B. Judgment on Israel (2:6-16) 1. The Context: As Amos prophesied at Bethel, he was no doubt surrounded by a large crowd of Israelites. As he pronounced doom on their enemies, the crowd undoubtedly swelled (with not a few amens! ). As the circle of judgment closed with the prophecy about Judah, there would have been intense interest concerning The Lord says (6). When the crowd heard their own name, Israel, called, Amos, no doubt, had their undivided attention! 2. The Charges a. Greed They sell a righteous person for silver and a needy person for a pair of sandals (6) This could refer to bribes taken by judges or to general mistreatment of the poor. Proverbs says He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker; but, whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (14:31) (Matt 23:23) b. Immorality A man and his father have sexual relations with the same girl (7) God s law clearly condemned immorality. Yet, those rules were being ignored by the Israelites. The example given by Amos probably concerned prostitution, perhaps even that associated with idol worship (I Cor. 5:1; I King 12:28-30). c. Idolatry beside every altar (8) Laying down on the clothes laid to pledge may be 4 / 14

5 tied to cultic prostitution but certainly refers to further oppression of the poor. Deut. 24:12-13 required garments of the poor, given as surety, to be returned every evening. The concluding phrase in the house of their God is evidence of the worship of other gods. d. Drunkenness They drink wine obtained by fines (8) This may mean that God condemns them for their drunkenness, implying that the idolaters are unjustly collecting wine as payment of a fine. III. Charges Against God s Wayward People (3:1-15) A. Appropriate Judge (3:1-2) I have known only you out of all the clans of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities (2) Because of Israel s special revelation a greater judgment was coming. (James 3:1) B. Valid Prophecies (3-8) Amos presents a series of rhetorical questions that demonstrate cause and effect. Verse 7 summarizes the argument: Indeed the Lord God does nothing, without revealing His counsel to His servants the prophets. (Deut. 29:29 cf. Gen. 18:11-18) 1. Nothing by Chance Can two walk together unless they are agreed? (3) If you see two people walking together, you assume that both planning and agreement were involved. (I Ki 18:21) Israel was obviously not walking together with God. (2 Cor. 6:14-16) 2. No False Warnings Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? (4) For a lion to roar prematurely would simply frighten the prey away. (I Pet. 5:8) 3. No Empty Threats Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is not trap 5 / 14

6 for it 10:27) (5) God does not promise what He cannot deliver. (Mark 4. No False Security If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? (6) A watchman blows a trumpet in the event of attack upon the city. The sound of the trumpet was unique, authoritative, and ominous. Amos was the trumpet of God. The people should be just as frightened of his prophetic message. 5. No Mistaken Message A lion had roared!...the Lord has spoken! (8) C. Irresponsible Behavior (9-10) 1. Two Witnesses Proclaim in the palaces of Ashdod and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say Assemble on the mountains of Samaria (9) Deut. 17:6 requires at least two witnesses for the death penalty to be imposed. The heathen of Philistia (Ashdod) and Egypt are not judging but rather witnessing the trial of Israel. 2. Four Results of Disobedience a. Unrest See great tumults in her midst (9) Augustine said: My soul found no rest until it found rest in thee. In Israel s case, disobedience brought social unrest because of the oppression of the poor. However, in the individual today, disobedience brings confusion, anxiety, and worry. b. Oppression The oppressed within her (9) As we ve already learned, the poor were oppressed by the rich and the righteous by the unrighteous. Robbery, extortion, and bribery were all being used as tools of greed. c. Immorality They do not know to do right (10) Sinfulness and disobedience had become the norm in Israel, the whole nation had lost its moral compass. When a person lives a 6 / 14

7 lifestyle of disobedience long enough, even his/her conscience ceases to cause concern. (Gen. 6:5; Judges 21:25) d. Materialism Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces (10) The oppressors were actually displaying trophies of their greed in the form of things taken from others! They had lost all sense of purpose other than storing up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:21) D. Thorough Punishment (11-15) 1. God s Authority Therefore, the Lord God says (11) NIV translates this Sovereign Lord. If God has authority over the pagan nations, how much more does He have the right to judge His own people? God s sovereignty is based on His transcendence, omniscience, and perfect justice. 2. God s Power An enemy will surround the land and plunder your citadels (11) All power is God s power (Matt. 28:18). Paul writes Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom. 13:1) Just as He used Israel to punish the nations that had previously inhabited Canaan, now He would use Assyria to punish Israel. (Isa. 7:20) 3. God s Mercy the Israelites who live in Samaria will be rescued (12) Israel as a nation would be destroyed in its current form, but a remnant would be spared. 4. God s Justice I will punish Israel for its crimes. (14) a. Judgment Upon False Worship I will punish the altars of Bethel (14) 7 / 14

8 b. Judgment Upon the Oppressors the houses inlaid with ivory will be destroyed (15 cf. Amos 6:1-6) Ahab and Jezebel built a magnificent palace with a commanding view: to the east they could see the Mediterranean Sea, to the north Mt. Hermon, to the west the Jordan Valley and to the south, Jerusalem. Archeologists have found many delicate vessels of carved ivory. A recurrent theme is judgment upon the oppressors: your citadels plundered (11) The rich are pictured in idle ease: the corner of a bed or a cushion of a couch (12). The rich have multiple homes: I will destroy the winter house along with the summer house. (15) The materialistic would see the end of their greed: The great houses will come to an end. (15) Those who had robbed the poor would now be robbed. Those who had oppressed the downtrodden would now be crushed under the feet of an invading army. God s judgment may not be immediate but it will be complete. IV. Folly of Unheeded Warnings (4:1-13) A. Self-Centered Indifference (4:1-3) Who oppress the poor and crush the needy (1) The wealthy women of Israel were compared to the well-known, well-fed cattle of Bashan (Ps. 22:12). Their opulent lifestyle was a result of ill-gotten riches. When you will be taken away with hooks through breeches in the wall each woman straight ahead (2-3) A stark word picture summons the image of a line of cattle being led single file by nose rings. The Assyrians were known to use similar devices to lead captives through broken city walls toward Harmon a destination in Assyria. B. Meaningless Worship (4-5) 8 / 14

9 1. Repetition Bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tenths every three days (4) Normally sacrifices and tithes were offered once a year in Jerusalem (I Sam. 1:3, 21; Lev. 27:30; Deut. 12:5, 7, 11) Jesus said And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words (Matt 6:7) Notice the emphasis of their worship: For that is what you Israelites love to do (5) The Israelites were involved in meaningless, disobedient repetition because it made them feel good. Today, we must be careful to avoid making worship something that magnifies us as opposed to magnifying God. 2. Rebellion Offer leavened bread as a thank offering (5) (Phil. 4:6-7) Leaven is a type of sin which was strictly forbidden from any offering made by fire (Lev. 2:11). Leavened cakes were offerings associated with pagan idols (Jer. 7:18, 44:17-19; Hosea 3:1) rebel even more (4) identifies the root cause of their meaningless worship: rebellion. Rather than worship God s way at the temple in Jerusalem, they were satisfying their own lusts, in their own way, at their own place. 3. Renown Loudly proclaim your freewill offerings (5) A final characteristic of meaningless worship was the desire for public approval. As opposed to the Pharisees who loved to do everything for recognition (Luke 11:43). Jesus said, Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them... therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matt. 6:1-2) Eph. 6:6; Rev. 21:12 9 / 14

10 C. Divine Disciplines (4:6-11) Amos mentions seven disciplines God had brought against Israel. (Deut. 28:15-48) Though they may seem harsh, these hardships were brought in God s mercy to correct and to bring them to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10) Had Israel repented, ultimate judgment could have been postponed or even eliminated. 1. Famine a shortage of food (4:6; Lev. 26:26) In an agrarian society, famine was greatly feared (Gen. 12:10, 26:1, 41:56). 2. Drought I also withhold the rain from you, while there were still three months until harvest (7) God s ability to control the rain ( I sent rain on one city, but no rain on another ) struck at the very heart of Baal worship. Baal, as the chief male god of the Canaanites, was supposed to control the rain and, thus, the fertility of the harvest. 3. Blight and Mildew (9) were diseases of the crops. 4. Locusts Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees (9) 5. Plagues I sent plagues like those of Egypt (10) The disciplines were becoming more personal and specific. This plague was probably an affliction on the people rather than the crops. 6. War I killed your young men with the sword (10) Notice that it s getting even more personal, not only for the Israelites, but also for God ( I killed ). 7. Overthrown Cities I overthrew some of you, as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (11) This may be interpreted literally as fire from heaven or figuratively as a description of an 10 / 14

11 Assyrian raid. Some point to a miraculous deliverance from total destruction such as II Kings 7 or a deliverance through the leadership of a king such as II Kings 14:27 you were like a burning stick snatched from a fire (11). However, in spite of these disciplines and entreaties to repent, God notes five times Yet you did not return to Me (6, 8, 9, 10, 11) D. Impending Judgment (4:12-13) 1. Appointment Israel prepare to meet your God, O Israel (12) a. Prepared Israel had prepared for this fateful meeting through disobedience and repeated failures to repent. In life, we all prepare to meet God. Some prepare in wickedness For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a), others prepare in righteousness ( but the gift of God is eternal life Rom. 6:23b). For Christians, Paul writes For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). For the rest, we read in Revelation 20:11-12 Then I saw a great White Throne and Him who was seated on it And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne The sense of Amos 4:12 is not improve your position; they had already been given seven opportunities to repent. The sense is more Prepare for inevitable, deserved judgment. b. Pronounced We will all meet God whether by death, by rapture or by end-time judgment. The meeting is a set-in-stone appointment And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27) This meeting with God should instill accountability in every person (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:11). c. Personal Israel was to meet your God. Even though they had rebelled and worshipped other God s, that did not change the covenant that made YAHWEH their God. 11 / 14

12 Jesus describes that judgment meeting in personal terms (Matt. 7:22-23). Whether a person wants to admit it or not, there is only one God, and He is Your God. (John 6:28-29) 2. Authority Our inevitable meeting with God should motivate us to godly living! (Ezek. 33:10; 2 Pet. 3:10-14) We re reminded or His power and majesty (Rev. 4). a. He created us The one who forms the mountains and creates the wind (13) God has authority over us because He made us (Ps. 139:14). Since He created everything, He is sovereign Lord of all. b. He instructed us and revealed His thought to man (13) God did not leave us in doubt concerning His expectations. (Rom. 11:33-36) To Israel, particularly, He had given His law, a minutely detailed list of His requirements. Unfortunately, Israel had rebelled and disregarded the sacred law. (Rom. 9:22-10:4) 3. He Watches Over Us He strides on the heights of the earth (13) God has the omniscient view over all creation (Job 34:22; 2 Chron. 16:9). Nothing can be hidden from Him (Ps. 139:23-24). Because He is the perfect judge, He will also trample the high places of false worship. Application: (Rom. 1:21-23) 1. Worship requires our focus on God rather than on our wants. (Ps. 23:1) 2. God sometimes allows hardships in order to bring people to repentance. (I Pet. 4:19) 3. We have an appointment to meet God someday. (Amos 4:12) 12 / 14

13 Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 10: Poster: Unit 2 Biblical Illustrator: p. 30, Tekoa: It s History and Significance p. 54 The Economic Conditions of the 8th Century BC Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g Dates 2012: 12/23 Christmas Weekend, no LBS; 12/24 Candlelight 4:00 & 6:00; 12/24-25 Christmas Holidays, church offices closed; 12/30 Normal schedule with LBS; 12/31 Summit NYE party. Dates 2013: 1/1 Church Offices closed; 1/6 Missions Expo begins; 1/11 Summit Celebrates; 1/15 3/5 LivingProof Bible Study Tues; 1/16 5/8 Midlink, Spring Break 3/13; 1/18-19 As We Go Weekend; 1/20 Summit Dodgeball Tourney; 1/20 Parent Commitment; 1/20 AMP/Wired; 1/25 Midnight Madness; 1/27 Fitness Expo; 1/27 13 / 14

14 Mission 1:8 begins; 1/27 FBA Day at HFBC; 1/28 Missions Expo ends. 14 / 14

Written by David Self Monday, 24 December :00 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 December :47

Written by David Self Monday, 24 December :00 - Last Updated Wednesday, 19 December :47 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview December 30, 2012 Remembering Compassion Background: Hosea 11:1 12:14 Lesson: Hosea 11:1-11 Motivation: After severe pronouncements of judgment in the previous chapter,