LESSON #27: Amos, a prophet of God (Week ending 07/04/10

AMOS

"BACKGROUND:

God called Amos, from the southern kingdom, to head north with a message of exhortation and judgment for Israel. As a southerner, Amos was not very welcome in the north, yet he stood his ground, knowing that God had called him.

Amos would have been a contemporary of Hosea, another prophet to the northern kingdom."

"PURPOSE

To call Israel to repent of:

• outward actions such as violence, social injustice, and idolatry

• inward attitudes such as pride and heartless worship

Amid his denunciations, Amos proclaimed the coming messianic age."

"UNIQUE FEATURES

• Amos is the only OT prophet called from one part of the divided kingdom to prophecy in the other part.

• Perhaps more than any other OT prophet, Amos shows that an effective minister of God does not need any prescribed level of education or social status; he or she needs only a call from God."[1]

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1:1-3:15: Coming Judgments

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Damascus?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Gaza?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Tyre?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Edom?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Ammon?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Moab?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Judah?

Ø Why did God pass judgment on Israel?

Ø Does any of this have application for us? If so, what?

4:1-5:17: Condemnation; Lament; Call to Repentance

Ø How did God try to get His people's attention?

Ø Did their actions demonstrate that they heard Him?

Ø Is God's patience and long suffering inexhaustible?

Ø Is there application for us?

5:18-9:10: Warnings Against Israel

Ø Why did God pronounce "woes" against Israel?

Ø He despised three things that were prevalent in Israel (5:18-614), what are they?

Ø Does He despise those things today?

Ø When Amos prayed and cried out to the Lord, "He relented". What does it mean that the Lord relented?

Ø Was Israel's sin individual or national?

9:11-15: The Restoration of Israel

Ø God saves a remnant to rebuild His people. From which group of Israel does this remnant come?

Ø Why is it that there is always a remnant?

Ø Will God ever break His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

Ø Application for us?



[1]Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (461). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

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