Amos - The Country Prophet (3:1-6:14) Part 2 Of 3 Series

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS"

Amos - The Country Prophet (3:1-6:14)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous study we began our survey of the book of Amos

a. A prophet of God, who was...

1) A country shepherd and gatherer of sycamore fruit - Am 7:14-15

2) Called to proclaim God’s judgments on the nations, especially

Israel

b. Whose book is divided into three sections, in which we find...

1) "Oracles" concerning sin and judgment of eight nations (ch.

1-2)

2) "Sermons" concerning the sin and judgment of Israel (ch. 3-6)

3) "Visions" regarding the sin and judgment of Israel (ch. 7-9)

c. In his "oracles", we saw that God pronounced judgment upon...

1) Heathen nations, such as Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon,

and Moab

2) The people of God, both Judah and Israel

-- With emphasis placed upon the sins and judgment of the

northern kingdom of Israel

2. In this lesson, we shall direct our attention to the "sermons" in

chapters 3-6

a. There are three sermons, each beginning with "Hear this word..."

- 3:1; 4:1; 5:1

b. The focus of these sermons is Israel, the kingdom in the north

[From an outline by Ryrie, the first "sermon" could be entitled...]

I. THE DOOM OF ISRAEL (3:1-15)

A. AMOS DEFENDS HIS RIGHT TO PROPHESY...

1. The Lord has spoken against Israel - Am 3:1-2

a. With whom He has had a special relationship

b. Whom He now will punish for their sins

2. Seven questions with obvious answers - Am 3:3-6

a. The purpose and meaning of these questions have been

variously interpreted

b. But their intent appears to enforce the logic of what

follows in the next two verses

3. Can a prophet remain silent when God speaks? - Am 3:7-8

a. The Lord does nothing unless He reveals it by one of His

prophets

b. Like a lion that has roared (cf. Am 1:2), God has spoken

and Amos must prophesy!

B. ISRAEL’S DOOM...

1. Ashdod and Egypt are called to witness Israel’s wickedness

- Am 3:9-10

2. Israel will be plundered by an adversary - Am 3:11-15

a. Though never identified by Amos, Isaiah declared that it

would be Assyria

b. Concerning Israel’s coming punishment:

1) Only a remnant will survive of those who dwell in

luxury, like a piece of lamb left over after being

ravaged by a lion

2) Destruction will come upon the altars of Bethel (cf.

Jeroboam’s idolatry)

3) Destruction will befall their luxurious homes

[With this first "sermon", destruction is pronounced upon Israel. The

sin of some of the men was mentioned earlier (Am 2:6-8), with the next

"sermon" we see the wickedness of the women...]

II. THE DEPRAVITY OF THE WOMEN OF ISRAEL (4:1-13)

A. THE "COWS OF BASHAN", THEY ARE INSATIABLE...

1. Living in Samaria (Israel) they were:

a. Oppressing the poor and needy - Am 4:1

b. Crying out for wine - Am 4:2

2. For which they will suffer painful deportation to a foreign

land - Am 4:3

B. A SARCASTIC CALL TO WORSHIP...

1. To worship their false gods at Bethel and Gilgal - Am 4:4-5

2. Designed to show how far they have departed from God

C. THEY HAD REJECTED GOD’S CHATISEMENTS...

1. They had failed to respond to God’s efforts to get them to

repent

a. Famine - Am 4:6

b. Drought - Am 4:7-8

c. Pestilence - Am 4:9

d. Plague and war - Am 4:10

e. Earthquake, or perhaps volcanic eruptions - Am 4:11

2. Therefore they must prepare to meet their God!

a. Who is bringing such judgments upon them - Am 4:12

b. Whose name is "The LORD God of hosts" - Am 4:13

[In light of such a judgment to befall Israel, it is not surprising to

see that the third "sermon" is in the form of a lamentation...]

III. A DIRGE OVER ISRAEL (5:1-6:14)

A. A LAMENTATION FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL...

1. In view of her coming fall - Am 5:1-2

2. In which only a remnant will be left - Am 5:3

B. A CALL TO REPENTANCE, FOR THERE IS STILL HOPE...

1. Seek the Lord and live, lest He come with fiery judgment!

- Am 5:4-7

2. Seek Him who is all powerful! - Am 5:8-9

3. For He knows your manifold sins! - Am 5:10-13

4. Seek that which is good, not evil; perhaps God will gracious!

- Am 5:14-15

C. THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD...

1. The Lord is coming, and there shall be wailing in the streets

and fields - Am 5:16-17

2. The day of the Lord is not to be desired by sinful men

a. For it will be a day of darkness - Am 5:18-20

b. For God is repelled by their show of religion, when there

should be righteousness and justice - Am 5:21-24