Historical interlude: Amos at Bethel— prosperity and security. Luxury abounded (3:10–15;
G e n e s i s E x o d u s L e v i t i c u s N u m b e r s D e u t e r o n o m y J o s h u a J u d g e s R u t h
J o n a h M i c a h N a h u m H a b a k k u k Z e p h a n i a h H a g g a i Z e c h a r i a h M a l a c h i
1 S a m u e l 2 S a m u e l 1 K i n g s 2 K i n g s 1 C h r o n i c l e s 2 C h r o n i c l e s E z r a N e h e m i a h
E s t h e r J o b P s a l m s P r o v e r b s E c c l e s i a s t e s S o n g o f
J e r e m i a h L a m e n t a t i o n s E z e k i e l D a n i e l H o s e a J o e l A m o s O b a d i a h
OUTLINE Key theme: A call for justice, a warning of judgments Key verse: Amos 5:24
CONTENTS
Amos 1—2:16 1416 The Lion Roars!
Amos 3:1–15 1419 Listen to What God Says
I. LOOK AROUND AND SEE GOD'S JUDGMENT (1—2)
Amos 4:1–13 1422 Sins in Good Standing
Eight nations judged A. Six Gentile nations condemned—1:1—2:3 B. Judah condemned—2:4–5 C. Israel condemned—2:6–16
Amos 5:1–17 1425 How to Avoid the Storm
Amos 5:18—6:14 1429 "Woe to the Sinners!"
II. LOOK WITHIN AND SEE THE CORRUPTION
(3—6)
Amos 7:1—9:15 1432 Stop—Look—Listen!
Three sermons to the people of Israel A. Message #1: Israel's judgment certain—
3:1–15 B. Message #2: Israel's sins denounced—
Amos in His Time Amos ("burden bearer") was a herdsman and a cultivator of sycamore trees (Amos 1:1; 7:14) when the Lord called him to be a prophet. He lived in the village of Tekoa, about eleven miles from Jerusalem, during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah (790–740 BC) and Jeroboam II in the northern kingdom of Israel (793–753). Amos was a "layman," a humble farmer and shepherd who was not an official member of the Jewish religious or political establishment.
4:1–13 C. Message #3: Israel's doom lamented—
5:1—6:14
III. LOOK AHEAD AND SEE THE END COMING
(7—9) A. Five visions of judgment—7:1—9:10
1. The locusts—7:1–3 2. The fire—7:4–6 3. The plumb line—7:7–9 Historical interlude: Amos at Bethel— 7:10–17 4. The basket of summer fruit—8:1–14 5. The ruined temple—9:1–10 B. A vision of the glorious kingdom—
At this time, both Judah and Israel were enjoying prosperity and security. Luxury abounded (3:10–15; 5:1–6), and "religion" was popular. Israel flocked to the royal chapel at Bethel (4:4–5), and Judah celebrated the feasts enthusiastically (5:21–22), but the sins of both nations were eroding the religious and moral fiber of the people. Making money was more important than worshipping God (8:5); the rich exploited the poor, the judicial system was corrupt, and injustice flourished (5:11–15, 24; 8:4–6).
9:11–15