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The Twelve Minor Prophets

Amos
Too Much, Too Far, Too Late P2


We continue with Amos, and his 9 chapters, perhaps with a little more structure and detail than in Part 1. I know that these are largely neglected books, so I trust the notes will be helpful both for those who are reading the Minor Prophets for the first time and others who have been reading them for many years. May it be true for us all as we read the Word of God… “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light…” (Psalm 119:130).

​Introduction: The Prophet Amos! Chapter 1:1-2.
 
“The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem…” (1:2). Not Samaria, the capital of Israel.
The herdsman and gatherer of sycamore fruit (wild figs) from Tekoa in Judah, has arrived at Bethel. Although his message at times encompassed the whole of Israel and Judah (3:1; 6:1), the focus was mainly to Israel (the Northern 10 tribes). A prophet out of Judah has arrived in Israel at Bethel (7:13) to speak against Jeroboam II (the son of Joash). Did the like of this ever happen before? Note: (1 Kings 13:1). A prophet out of Judah has arrived at Bethel to speak against Jeroboam I (the son of Nebat) as he stood by the altar to burn incense.
 
Announcement of Judgment on the Nations! Chapter 1:3-2:16.
 
Three transgressions and four, God is keeping account of Gentile Nations. Iniquity filling up and overflowing!
  • Damascus (Syria).
  • Gaza (Philistines).
  • Tyrus.
Near relations… those close to Israel by Blood Relationships.
  • Edom. Esau is Edom (Gen 36:1), Esau a twin brother of Jacob (Gen 25:19-28).
  • Ammon. A son (Ben-ammi) born to the younger daughter of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen 19:29-38).
  • Moab. A son (Moab) born to the firstborn daughter of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen 19:29-38).
Three transgressions and four, God is keeping account regarding His Covenant People, Judah, and Israel.
  • Judah. The men of Israel may have clapped their hands at their “Southern Countrymen”. But Israel!!!
  • Israel. Amos has now reached those whom the message is largely for. Israel!!!
 
Ingratitude toward the goodness of God was a terrible characteristic of the Nation of Israel. In chapter 2:9-16 this is rehearsed as one of the reasons for the coming judgment.
"Yet destroyed I… yet I destroyed…" (v 9). "Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt… and led you forty years…" (v 10). "And I raised up of your sons for prophets… Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel?" (v 11). "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink…" (v 12). "Behold, I am pressed under you…" (v 13). "Therefore…" (v 14). "Neither…" (v 15). "And…" (v 16).

Announcement of Judgment Particularly on Israel! Chapter 3:1-6:14.
 
To help with the division here, there are three messages beginning with “Hear this Word”, and two “Woe’s”!
 
Hear this Word (3:1-15)! Is this their present condition? Walking together (3:3). Not two “believers” but the Nation and God. Sadly, they are out of step, in disagreement with God. Note: lion roar, bird fall, trumpet blown, shepherd/lion, two legs/piece of an ear.
 
Hear this Word (4:1-13)! Is this a reference to their past? God has been working in various ways as described (4:6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11). With all this working there is no returning to the Lord! Note: five times, “Yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord”. Notice: Bethel & Gilgal! What is their significance? Bethel… experience of Jacob… House of God (Gen 28:10-22). Gilgal… where they entered the land… circumcision renewed (Joshua 5:2-12)! Prepare to meet thy God… Judgment (4:12). See notes in P1 for context on this verse.
 
Hear ye this Word (5:1-17)! Is this a reference to the future? Extent of the judgment (5:3), out of a thousand only a hundred left, out of a hundred only ten left. Announcement of Captivity (5:5).
Final invitation… Seek (5:4, 6, 8, 14). Seek who? Notice (5:14) The Lord, the God of Hosts!
The Lord (Jehovah-Covenant keeper) God (Elohim-God of Creation) of Hosts (Sabaoth-the Commander).  
 
Woe (5:18-27)! The Day of the Lord… Judgment. This is a reference to the Tribulation. The Nation of Israel looks forward to a day of Millennial blessing, but before it arrives, they will experience a period of Tribulation for their departure from God and their rejection of the Messiah. It will be a day of darkness and not Light! Announcement of Captivity (5:27). Another reference to the Lord, God of Hosts. Nine references in all in Amos.
 
Woe (6:1-14)! The Error of Idolatry was one problem. Ease and Injustice was another! A day of great prosperity. The poor are afflicted. Injustice is rife. Immorality is practised. Can you find throughout the Book? Beds for every Occasion? Meals to every Taste? Houses for every Season? Announcement of Captivity (6:7).
 
Five Symbols or Visions of the coming Judgment! Chapter 7:1-9:10.

  1. Grasshoppers (7:1-3). Amos prays! Judgment stayed!
  2. Fire (7:4:6). Amos prays! Judgment stayed!
  3. Plumbline (7:7-9). Far from the Divine Standard! No more sinning! No more passing by! No more praying!
Amaziah the Priest of Bethel (7:10-17).
  • Amaziah sent word to Jeroboam concerning the message that came from Amos. It contained judgment!
Death for Jeroboam and the Announcement of Captivity for Israel (7:10-11).
  • Amaziah orders Amos back to Judah, and not to prophecy in Bethel (7:12-13).
  • The personal word that Amos has to say about himself to Amaziah (7:14-15).
  • Amos prophecies against Amaziah’s wife, his sons, and daughters, Amaziah himself. He repeats again the certainty of Captivity for Israel (7:16-17).
Did the Word from God that Amos brought to Jeroboam and Israel come true? After Jeroboam, the last six kings of Israel were Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah and Hoshea (2 Kings 15:8-31; 17:6). Between them they reigned about 40 years. So, within one generation, the Prophecy of Amos came to pass. Shalmaneser, the King of Assyria, besieged Samaria for three years and carried Israel away to Captivity (2 Kings 18:9-12).
  1. Basket of Summer Fruit (8:1-2). A lovely picture, ripe for eating? No! Ripe for Judgment. In the basket, plucked off, no going back!
  2. Smiting of the Lintel (9:1-4). No escape! No hiding place… Hell/Heaven… top of Carmel/bottom of the Sea!
 
A Future hope for Israel! Chapter 9:11-15.
 
That day… Day of the Lord… Blessing. Here it is what God will do. Refer to previous notes! This is a Millennial Day still to come for the Nation of Israel. Note reference to David! A link with the Covenant! Great blessing experienced in the agricultural environment. Planted in the land, no more to be removed.

Gary Woods
Answers About God. Copyright © 2020, Aaron Colgan
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  • Home
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    • Saving a President
    • The Death Zone
    • An Anchor of the Soul
    • Afraid Twice
    • Two Ways
    • Withering Grass & Fading Flowers
    • A Spider's Web
    • The Voice of the Son of God
    • Forgiven!
    • The Full Assurance of Hope
    • A Sinner's Prayer
    • A Present & Personal Saviour
    • The Great Supper
    • Judgment is Coming
    • A Closed Heart
    • "Iceberg Right Ahead!"
    • The Lamb of God
    • Truth & Certainty
    • 'Then the King Will Say'
    • The Testimony of the Chief of Sinners
    • The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner
    • The Power of Christ
    • The Good Shepherd
    • 'Wonderful Words of Life'
    • Finding Wisdom
    • The Unchanging Person of Jesus Christ
  • Bible Answers
    • Remembering Our Creator
    • Was the Cross Necessary?
    • What is God Like?
    • Does the Resurrection Matter?
    • What's in a Name?
    • Why Must We be Saved?
    • "Who Art Thou, Lord?"
    • "The Unknown God" - Just Who is He?
    • "What is Truth?"
    • "Holy, Holy, Holy"
    • Knowing God
    • A Conversion Story
    • The Gospel according to Jonah
    • "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man Approved of God"
    • The Saviour of the World
    • A Chosen Vessel
    • Who is Jesus?
    • God's Mercy & Judgment
    • Does What I Think about the Son of God Matter?
    • 'How Shall we Escape if we Neglect so Great Salvation'?
    • What is Life Really All About?
    • The Rock of Ages
    • Easter Messages >
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 1
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 2
      • The Resurrection of Christ
      • Zion's King & God's Lamb
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      • Joseph, Mary & the Birth of Jesus
      • "A Savior who is Christ the Lord"
      • Hark the Herald Angels Sing
      • Covenant Promises & the Birth of Christ
  • Timeless Truths
    • Timeless Truths 1
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    • Timeless Truths 3
    • Timeless Truths 4
    • Timeless Truths 5
    • Timeless Truths 6
    • Timeless Truths 7
  • Expository Messages
    • Topical Messages >
      • Spiritual Warfare
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 84-88 >
        • Psalm 84 - The Courts of the LORD
        • Psalm 85 - 'Revive us Again'
        • Psalm 86 - Calling upon God in the Day of Trouble
        • Psalm 87 - The Glory of Zion, 'City of God'
        • Psalm 88 - Hands Stretched out in Grief
    • Minor Prophets - Study Notes by Gary Woods >
      • The Twelve Minor Prophets - An Overview
      • Hosea P1
      • Hosea P2
      • Joel P1
      • Joel P2
      • Amos P1
      • Amos P2
      • Obadiah
      • Jonah
      • Micah
      • Nahum
      • Habakkuk P1
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      • Zephaniah
      • The Post-Captivity Prophets - An Introduction
      • Haggai
      • Zechariah P1
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      • Malachi
    • The Lord's Upper Room Ministry >
      • John 13:1-3 - The Omniscient Christ
      • John 13:4-17 - The Foot Washing Ministry of the Perfect Servant
      • John 13:18-38 - The Son of Man Glorified
      • John 14:1-3 - The Father's House P1
      • John 14:4-7 - The Father's House P2
      • John 14:8-14 - The Father's Visibility
      • John 14:15-26 - The Father's Gift
      • John 14:27-31 - The Father's Primacy
      • John 17 - The Lord's Intercessory Prayer
      • Excursus: The Passover & the Last Supper
    • Romans >
      • Romans - An Introduction
      • Romans - An Outline
      • Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's Salutation
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      • Romans 1:18-32 - Wrath Revealed & Why
      • Romans 2 - An Introduction to a Difficult Chapter
      • Romans 2:1-5 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P1
      • Romans 2:6-11 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P2
      • Romans 2:12-16 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P3
      • Romans 2:17-29 - The Guilt of the Self-confident
      • Romans 3:1-20 - 'All the World Guilty'
      • Romans 3:21-24 - The Heart of the Gospel P1
      • Romans 3:25a - The Heart of the Gospel P2
      • Romans 3:25b-31 - The Heart of the Gospel P3
    • 1 Corinthians >
      • 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21 - Worldly Wisdom
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