Amos: Judgment for Abused Privilege
Lessons From Amos
- Justice between man and man is one of the foundations of society
- Nations and individuals that have been favored are laden with corresponding responsibility
- Ease, luxury, and idleness lead to open sin
- We are bound to live up to the light and knowledge granted us
- The most elaborate worship is but an insult to God when offered by those who have no mind to conform to His commandments
- The child of God must be motivated by personal conviction
- It does matter what we do as well as why we do it
- Agreement with God will have the effect of obedience in our lives
- When one rejects the love of truth, a time may come when he will seek it but cannot find it
Purpose:
To pronounce God's judgment upon Israel, the northern kingdom, for its complacency, idolatry, and oppression of the poor Author: Amos Original Audience: The people of Israel (the northern kingdom) |
Setting:
The wealthy people of Israel were enjoying peace and prosperity. They were quite complacent and were oppressing the poor, even selling them into slavery. Soon, however, Israel would be conquered by Assyria, and the rich would themselves become slaves. Date Written: Probably during the reigns of Jeroboam II of Israel and Uzziah (Azariah) of Judah (approximately 760-750 B.C.) |
Key Verse:
"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (5:24). Key People: Amos, Amaziah, Jeroboam II Key Places: Bethel, Samaria Key Themes: Everyone Answers to God, Complacency, Oppressing the Poor, Superficial Religion |
Special Features:
Amos uses striking metaphors from his shepherding and farming experience—a loaded cart (2:13), a roaring lin (3:8), a mutilated sheep (3:12), pampered cows (4:1), and a basket of fruit (8:1, 2). |
ResourcesCommentaries
Blogs
Bible Studies
For Kids
God employed a shepherd, a herdsman, to reprove and warn the people. Those to whom God gives abilities for His services, ought not to be despised for their origin, or their employment. Judgments are denounced against the neighboring nations, the oppressors of God's people. The number of transgressions does not here mean that exact number, but many: they had filled the measure of their sins, and were ripe for vengeance. The method in dealing with these nations is, in part, the same, yet in each there is something peculiar. In all ages this bitterness has been shown against the LORD's people. When the LORD reckons with His enemies, how tremendous are His judgments!" —Matthew Henry |