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Amos 1:1-2 The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of

Tekoa-- what he saw concerning Israel two years before the

earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam

son of Jehoash was king of Israel. 2 He said:

"The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from

Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up,

and the top of Carmel withers."

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INTRODUCTION The book of Amos is from the part of the Old Testament called the Minor Prophets.

These prophets spoke at a time when “God’s people” were moving further and further away from Him. God then raised prophets to warn the people of the coming judgements if they did not repent and turn back to Him. Amos was one of these prophets. A shepherd who came from the town of Tekoa, five miles south of Bethlehem in Judah (a southern tribe), Amos was called by God (Amos 7:15) to prophesy to Israel (the northern tribes).

This was a scary time in Israel’s history. The nation had begun with God calling one man, Abraham, to Himself. God made promises to Abraham of land, descendants, fame, and blessings and cursings (Gen. 12:1-3). Things started slowly with Isaac, Jacob and then Joseph. Joseph became an important figure in Egypt and the descendants of Abraham remained in Egypt for 400 years. However, Egypt made slaves of the Israelites and God sent Moses to bring them out of Egypt. After Moses died, Joshua lead Israel into the Promised Land and a cycle of sin and salvation under Judges continued until the time of Saul and the establishment of the Kingdom. The high point of Israel was under King David and the first part of King Solomon’s reign. The promises seemed to be fulfilled and God’s people were living in the Promised Land under God’s good authority.

However, it wasn’t long before the kings of Israel began to forget about God and his promises of blessings and curses. The kings ignored God and the kingdom was divided into two. At the time of Amos’ ministry the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin was known as “Judah” and was ruled by King Uzziah. The Northern Kingdom was made up of the other ten tribes and was known “Israel”. Israel was ruled by King Jeroboam II.

This means that Amos’ ministry must have been around 790-753BC and was primarily directed to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amos prophesied God’s judgement on Israel (the northern tribes) because of their diluted (and therefore false) worship of God. God was to also judge them for their social, political and religious injustices. Ultimately, Israel was judged because of their lack of repentance and they were destroyed by the Assyrians in 722BC. A timeline on the next page (used with permission) doesn’t actually have Amos’ name on it but you can see when his ministry was according to the dates.

The book of Amos is full of dramatic prophesies which uses strong language and will not always be easy to read. From a Christian perspective it will also challenge us as we confront the holy and righteous God who will also judge us.

In terms of an outline for the book of Amos, there are several different detailed outlines you can look at but here is the most memorable one that I have seen. It is by no way perfect but it points out the basic flow of Amos’ message in a simple way.1

Judgement of the nations and Israel Amos 1-2 Reasons for God’s Judgement Amos 3-6 Results of the Judgement Amos 7-9:10 Restoration of a Remnant Amos 9:11-15

1 Based on an outline found at https://bible.org/seriespage/amos cited 15.1.2014.

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Amos (790-753)

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THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS: TO THE NATIONS - AMOS 1:1-2:3

INTRODUCTION Amos was a great preacher. Amos was about to preach to the northern tribes of

Israel and this prophecy was going to be really hard for them to listen to. Amos enticed his hearer/reader from Israel into his sermon by pronouncing judgements on Israel’s neighbours and enemies. The Israelites would have cheered as they heard about how God was going to bring judgement upon these neighbours but, as we will see in a few weeks, Amos would then turn the tables on his hearers/readers and suddenly the judgements would be upon them.

JUDGEMENT ON THE NATIONS AMOS 1:1-2:3 Fill out the table below; noting the Nation Amos referred to and what the Judgement

was for. Note that when Amos said, “For three sins... even for four...” he was indicating that God’s patience was running out. Their sinfulness was nearing completeness.

Verses Nation Judgement for 1:3-5

1:6-8

1:9-10

1:11-12

1:13-15

2:1-3

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Have a look at who was being judged (check out the map on page 6). What is so significant about who is being judged?

What type of judgement was to be handed out to the nations? What was significant about this type of judgement and can we learn anything from this judgement handed out to the Nations?

What was so clever about Amos starting his sermon or book like this?

TODAY How do you respond to the idea of corporate judgement? Is it something we should

still be considering today or should we only be concerned about individual judgement?

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THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS: TO HIS OWN - AMOS 2:4-3:8

INTRODUCTION Last study we saw God’s warning of judgement to the surrounding nations. God was

pictured as a Lion roaring ready to strike down its prey and so God’s judgement on these nations was imminent and they would not be able to escape.

If we look carefully at Amos’ sermon we can see how his judgements are circling ever smaller, a bit like a shark circling its prey (sorry about the change of animal metaphor). He begins with judgement against the pagan nations (Syria, Philistia and Tyre) and then circle’s in closer to the related nations (Edom came from Esau’s line, Ammon and Moab were descendants of Lot). Amos begins to close the circle smaller as he called judgement on Judah, Israel’s fellow brothers who were brought out of Egypt with them. No doubt the Israelites were cheering on as Amos called all these surrounding nations to judgement for their crimes.

As God’s chosen people Israel felt immune to God’s judgement, they had become apathetic to God’s righteousness and grace. In tonight’s study we will see how God judges his people.

JUDGEMENT ON JUDAH AMOS 2:4-5 Who was being judged and what were they being judged for?

What was the difference between Judah’s judgement and the other surrounding nations?

JUDGEMENT ON ISRAEL AMOS 2:6-16 This is where the circling stops and the full force of judgement was set upon Israel. In

many ways they were suckered in by Amos’ sermon, not expecting the final outcome. But they only had themselves to blame as God had done so much for them and revealed so much of himself to them.

What were the Israelites being judged for in Amos 2:6-8?

Was there any real difference between Israel and the pagan nations?

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What themes are found in the way that God had related to Israel in the past? How did this relate to their judgement? (v9-12)

Fill out the table to highlight how Amos used imagery to describe Israel’s coming judgement. (v13-16)

Image Portrayal and Meaning

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JUDGEMENT IS COMING AMOS 3:1-8 There is an overlap between the first part of the prophecy and the second part but

we will look into that further in the next study when we explore the rhetorical questions found in 3:3-6. For now, concentrate on these two basic questions.

Who was going to be judged? (3:1-2)

Read Amos 1:2 and 3:8. How do these two verse work as book ends?

TODAY God declared that he would judge his own people if they did not repent. Should we

ever fear God’s wrath and judgement if we have been saved as Christians?

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ONLY A PIECE OF AN EAR – AMOS 3:1-15

INTRODUCTION In the last study we saw how the lion roared in Amos 1:2 and 3:8, creating a set of

book ends that indicate the beginning and an ending of a particular section in Amos’ prophecy. And yet, the beginning of chapter 3 seems to introduce something new, as if the next part of the prophecy had started before the previous section finished. Notice the way in which the first verse of chapters 3, 4 and 5 all start with “Hear this word”; another feature of prophecy to indicate the beginning of a new section. So, it seems that there is an overlap between where Amos ends one section of his prophecy and begins a new one. Therefore, this study will begin at chapter 3:1.

THE OPENING STATEMENT AMOS 3:3-7 Read Amos 3:1-15. This section can be looked at as being like a case presented in

court. Amos is the prosecutor and is bringing the charges against Israel; God’s chosen people. Amos began his case with a series of rhetorical questions, how were they to be

answered and what is their conclusion?

Question Reasoning Answer Q1. Two walking together

Q2&3. The sound of a lion in the thicket and/or den

Q4&5. A trap

Q6. Warning Trumpet in a city

Q7. Is disaster God’s fault?

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EXPERT WITNESSES AMOS 3:9-15 Amos called Ashdod and Egypt, 2 foreign kingdoms who were known for their great

atrocities of oppression, as expert witnesses to testify against Israel. What was so astonishing about Amos calling Ashdod and Egypt as expert witnesses?

The witnesses were to assemble in Samaria, the royal fortress city of Israel, and observe. What were the witnesses called on to see?

THE SENTENCE Because of their atrocities, God was going to punish Israel. How was God going to

punish Israel for their crimes? (v11)

How did Amos picture the severity of the punishment? (v12)

THE POWERLESSNESS OF FALSE RELIGION Israel had stopped going to the temple in Jerusalem and had built altars at Bethel and

other high places. Here is a picture of an altar. Notice that on the corners are four pointy horns. They were meant to represent the power and strength of the god they were sacrificing to. In times of distress people would sometimes cling to the horns in the hope that their god would protect them. (v13-15)

What was God going to do to the altars of Bethel? Why would that be significant?

Israel had turned their backs on the house of God and turned to a false temple in Bethel. What would God do the other houses built on the oppression of Israel? (v15)

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ISRAEL AND HER DESIRES – AMOS 4:1-13

INTRODUCTION Chapter 4 begins with one of my favourite sentences in the Bible, ‘Hear this word,

you cows of Bashan’. From our perspective Amos wasn’t very politically correct! However, Betts states that Bashan was an area of high quality pastures for livestock and therefore a place of great prosperity. Psalm 22 talks about the ‘bulls of Bashan’ and Ezekiel 39 talks about the ‘fat beasts of Bashan’.2 So, Amos was really talking about the wealth of these women and Betts believes that a good modern day translation might be ‘Divas of Samaria’. Still, it’s a great line!

The chapter starts with “Hear this word” and it was initially directed towards the women but later it incorporates the rest of Israel.

A WORD AGAINST THE DIVAS AMOS 4:1-3 What were these wealthy women most concerned about? (v1)

How would God punish these women? (v2)

Why would Amos add the detail of them being taken through the breaks in the wall?

DILUTED RELIGION AMOS 4:4-5 Read 1 Kings 12:25-33. Why did Jeroboam build shrines in places like Bethel?

What kind of religious activities did they do? What was wrong with their worship? (v4-5)

How should we understand God saying that they should go and sin?

2 T. J. Betts, FOTB: Amos: An ordinary man with an extraordinary message. (Ross-shire: Christian Focus

Publications, 2011), 71-72.

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WARNINGS GIVEN BUT NOT HEEDED AMOS 4:6-13 Amos 4:6-13 is difficult to read and understand. People may think that God is sadistic

and likes to inflict pain and watch His people suffer. This is not the case. In all that God had done for Israel, it had been for their eternal benefit. He wanted Israel to turn to Him so that He could offer them grace even though they didn’t deserve it.

Some background knowledge may make things clearer. When you read the 1 Kings passage and you may have noticed the golden calf quote. These were the same words used in Exodus 32:4, when Moses had been with God receiving the law. If you read all of Exodus 32 then you would have seen the severity of the consequences for Israel’s sin. Similarly if you read Deuteronomy 28:15-68 you will find the consequences for Israel if they ever broke their part of the Covenant with God. God was in his rights to totally destroy Israel without any warnings but he didn’t.

What kinds of natural disasters had God sent?

Why did God send these “natural” disasters?

Was there any word of hope to be found in these disasters?

RESPONDING TODAY How do you feel about God sending disasters so that Israel might turn to him?

If God gave the Divas of Samaria what they wanted who would they have thanked? If God gave them what they deserved who would they have blamed? Do you see this kind of thinking today?

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SEEK THE LORD AND LIVE- AMOS 5:1-17. So far in this series we have heard a lot about Israel’s sin. As a prosecutor, Amos

spoke of the oppression, unrest and false religion that Israel had been charged with. Even in the last part of chapter 4, Israel’s future looked bleak as God had sent disaster after disaster and Israel had still remained set against God.

However, chapter 5 seems to say that all was not lost, the sentence had not been carried out and so there was still time to repent. God lamented at what he had to do but still called to his people to return to him.

Sometimes the structure of a passage can really help us to understand what is being said in the passage. Some of the commentaries have noted a chiastic structure.3 A chiastic structure is where the first and last ideas correspond, the second and the second last ideas correspond, etc. until there is a final idea at the centre which is the most important point of the passage. Here is a chiastic structure for Amos 5:1-17.

A. 5:1-3 Lament the death of the nation

B. 5:4-6 A call to seek God and live

C. 5:7 Accusations of no justice

D. 5:8 Hymn to Yahweh

E. 5:8c Yahweh is his name

D’ 5:9 Hymn to Yahweh

C’ 5:10-13 Accusations of no justice

B’ 5:14-15 A call to seek good and live

A’ 5:16-17 Lament the death of the nation

LAMENT THE DEATH OF THE NATION AMOS 5:1-3 & 16-17 Amos laments the death of Israel even though Israel is not yet dead. It seems that her

doom is impending. Who was Amos calling to listen to the lament? What is so interesting about this? (v1)

“Fallen is virgin Israel”. How serious would her fall be? (v2-3)

The sign of Israel’s strength at that time was the prosperity she was enjoying. Farms were strong, food was good, wine was plentiful. How were things to change with the lament? (v15-16)

3 Mine is a hybrid of Betts, Amos, 87.

Gary V. Smith, Amos (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 214. David A. Hubbard, TOTC: Joel and Amos (Leicester: IVP, 1989), 164.

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A CALL TO SEEK GOD AND LIVE AMOS 5:4-6 & 14-15 It is important to note that the three places mentioned in verse 5 all have significant

historical background for Israel. Bethel finds a lot of significance within its origin. Jacob set up a monument to God

and named the place Bethel when God had visited him in a dream and blessed Jacob (Gen 28:10-22). Jacob returns to Bethel sometime later and was blessed again, this time Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Gen 35:1-15). Beer-sheba was named when Abraham and Abimelech (a pagan king) made a treaty (Gen 21:22-34). This agreement came about because Abimelech recognised that God was with Abraham in everything he did. Similarly when Isaac was in Beer-sheba a treaty was made for the same reason (Gen 26:23-29). Then in Genesis 46:1-4 we see Jacob (Israel) camp at Beer-sheba on his way down to Egypt. God promised that he would be with Israel in Egypt. An interesting side note is that Beer-sheba is actually in Judah. When Israel first crossed over the Jordan into the promised land, it was at Gilgal that they first camped (Josh 4:19). It was also at Gilgal that Saul was confirmed as king (1Sam 11:12-15).

Why would God not want Israel to go to these places when they had held such great significance in Israel’s past? (v5-6)

Verses 14-15 say to seek good rather than to seek God. Is this the same thing or is there a priority of one over the other?

ACCUSATIONS OF NO JUSTICE AMOS 5:7 & 10-13 Israel was labelled as those ‘who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to

the ground’ (v7). How did they go about doing this? (v10-13)

How did Israel benefit from this lack of justice and how did God look upon this?

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HYMN TO YAHWEH AMOS 5:8 & 9 At this point you might be wondering why Pleiades and Orion are in this lament. That

is because this middle section is actually a hymn that would have been sung by Israel in their worship. They would have sung about God who put the stars (Pleiades and Orion) into place, brought light to the darkness and caused the waters flow over the planet. Israel sang to God but did not fear him. (v8-10)

What was the irony of Amos singing this hymn in the middle of his lament for Israel?

YAHWEH IS HIS NAME AMOS 5:8C Who is at the centre of this lament, who have Israel ignored, who is most powerful

and ought to be feared, who will bring judgement, who should Israel come to for forgiveness and repentance if they wish to avoid this judgement? (v8)

TODAY In what ways do we forget the might and power of God?

When should we repent?

How should we live once we have repented?

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WOE TO YOU WHO ARE COMPLACENT - AMOS 5:18-6:14.

INTRODUCTION Amos 6:8 The Sovereign LORD has sworn by

himself-- the LORD God Almighty declares: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it."

In the time of Amos, the pride of Israel could be found in the quality of their religion

and in the prosperous security of their way of life. But they were no more than a facade and God could see that there was no substance to what they boasted in.

QUALITY RELIGION AMOS 5:18-27 Read Amos 5:18-27

The Israelites may have been sincerely religious but their sincerity was in the wrong place. They believed that the day of the Lord would be a victorious day for them. How is the day of the Lord pictured for them by Amos? (5:18-20).

What does this teach us about the day of the Lord?

What kind of things featured in their religious ceremonies? (21-26)

How did God view their religious conduct in 5:21-27 and why?

WOE TO THE COMPLACENT AMOS 6:1-7 Israel’s disrespect of God and His Temple overflowed into their everyday life. They were over confident in their religious ceremonies and thought that God would bless them. However, their religion was false and so their security was false. Amos notes the complacency of all Israel, firstly Judah in the south and then northern Israel. Because they were “God’s chosen people” they lived as though nothing could touch them, for God would protect them. This pride in themself meant that they saw themselves as greater and better off than Judah

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and the other surrounding kingdoms (6:2). Amos mentions three other city-states: Calneh, Hamath, and Gath in Philistia. These three cities were caught in “no man’s land” and were constantly under threat from other surrounding powers such as Assyria, Urartu, Israel, Judah, and Syria.4 Jeroboam II defeated Hamath at the beginning of his reign (2 Kings 14:28). It is possible that Calneh also met a similar fate. Uzziah also defeated the Philistines, including Gath, early in his reign as king of Judah (2 Chron. 26:6-7).5

Why did Amos make a comparison between Jerusalem (Zion) and Samaria with Calneh, Hamath, and Gath?

How did this false sense of security manifest itself?

THE PRIDE OF ISRAEL AMOS 6: 8-14 Israel had become a proud nation and “pride comes before a fall”. They had much to be proud of: their history, their beautiful religious ceremonies, their land, their wealth, their way of life and their security in thinking that God would protect all this for them. They were proud of all that they had achieved.

What was God’s response to their over confidence and pride?

TODAY Do you know of churches which place greater importance on beautiful ceremonies,

good music, and great fellowship than worship based in Christ’s truth and righteousness?

How does our church compare and could we fall into the same traps as Israel?

The life of luxury in Samaria sounds similar to the life of the average Australian. What warnings does this passage give to us in our modern situation?

Are we proud, complacent and self-righteous? Are we more concerned about our outward appearances than the importance and centrality of God and His Word in our lives? Do we take God and our salvation for granted so that we live life for ourselves and the here and now, because of our assurance of forgiveness in Jesus? A relationship with God should be life changing and it will be seen by the way we live now. Love and fear the Lord, putting Him and the needs of others before your own desires.

4 Smith, Amos, 272.

5 Betts, Amos, 116-117.

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I AM SETTING A PLUMB LINE - AMOS 7:1-17.

INTRODUCTION All through Amos so far, we have seen words like, “This is what the Lord says”, “Hear

this Word”, “For the Lord God Almighty declares”. Phrases such as these, and others that are similar, remind us that God was the one who had been speaking to His people. He spoke through Amos. At this point we see a change, God was still speaking but a new dimension is added. Now, God was revealing His intentions and messages via visions to Amos to add even more emphasis to prophecies written in the Book of Amos.

STRUCTURE Once again, the structure of a passage can help us to learn more about what the

most important part of the passage is. In this case it is ‘Yahweh explains’. Of course, these structures somewhat subjective as different commentators will have different ideas on how the passages are structured. However, I think this one is helpful.6

7:1-3 Vision 1 (Locusts) a. Yahweh initiates vision

b. Amos sees, intercedes c. Yahweh responds, relents

7:4-6 Vision 2 (Fire) a. Yahweh initiates vision b. Amos sees, intercedes c. Yahweh responds, relents

7:7-9 Vision 3 (Plumb Line) a. Yahweh initiates vision b. Yahweh interrogates Amos c. Amos answers d. Yahweh explains

7:10-17 Official Reaction and Prophet’s Response

a. Amaziah’s report to the king b. Amaziah’s ultimatum c. Amos’ response

8:1-3 Vision 4 (Summer Fruit a. Yahweh initiates vision b. Yahweh interrogates Amos c. Amos answers d. Yahweh explains

While we will be looking at the last vision in the next study as it connects with the next passage, you can also see the connections that vision 3 has with vision 4.

IMAGES OF JUDGEMENT AMOS 7:1-9 What was the first vision and why did God relent? (v1-3)

Can you think of a time when God judged in this way?

6 Douglas Stuart, WBC vol. 31: Hoseah-Jonah, (Mexico: Thomas Nelson, 1987), 368.

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What was the second vision and why did God relent? (v4-6)

Can you think of a time when God will judge in this way?

The third vision is that of a plumb line. For whose benefit was the plumb line shown and what was it used for? (v7-9)

God explained why he used the plumb line to Amos. Why would there be no more relenting?

BATTLE OF THE RELIGIOUS HEAVYWEIGHTS AMOS 7:10-17 Amaziah was the high priest in Bethel and was obviously threatened by Amos’

presence and message. Why would Amaziah feel so threatened?

In his anger and frustration, what did Amaziah do?

How did Amos respond to Amaziah?

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How were the visions connected with the interaction between Amos and Amaziah?

TODAY Today, we live in a world where there is no such thing as objective truth. God can be

whoever or whatever you want him to be. How does today’s passage challenge that?

How can we protect ourselves from having a false impression of Jesus and therefore misunderstand what God expects of us?

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IN THAT DAY: JUDGEMENT - AMOS 8:1-14

INTRODUCTION Each year is made up of seasons. We recognise them as summer, autumn, winter and

spring. However, there are other seasons we also recognise; football season, cricket season, etc. Each season begins with the first game and finishes with some form of final or grand final game. At this point we can tally up the teams and see where our team featured on the ladder. They can’t go back and amend their position once the season is over for there is nothing left to do.

In this chapter, Amos warned Israel that the season was nearly over and how they treated others and who they put their trust in would feature in the coming judgement.

RIPE FRUIT AMOS 8:1-3 Amos was shown a new vision of ripe fruit. What did this image mean?

TREATMENT OF THE POOR AND NEEDY AMOS 8:4-6 “Hear this”. God had something to say to particular people. Who did God address?

What were these people concerned about?

What should they have been concerned about?

DISASTER AMOS 8: 7-10 In verse 7 God swore an oath by the pride of Jacob. The confusing thing was that in

6:8 God abhorred the pride of Jacob. Wasn’t Jacobs pride a bad thing? In chapter 6 Jacob’s pride was what Israel had achieved by themselves. But in chapter 8:7, God may be using this phrase in an ironic way concerning himself. God should have been their pride and in so doing, he could swear on himself.

How can we measure the seriousness of God’s judgement? (v7)

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What kinds of images were used for judgement? (v8-9)

How was judgement depicted in v10?

THE MOST DEVASTATING FAMINE AMOS 8: 11-12 People will be devastated by the worst of famines. How would this famine be

different to others that had gone before it?

At a time when hearing from prophets meant hearing from God, how did the famine spoken of here come true?

LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACES AMOS 8:13-14 Amos went on to describe those who will search for the word of the Lord. Who were

they and where did they search?

TODAY We may not trample the needy and poor under foot but how can we make sure we

don’t fall into the same kind of attitudes and thinking that the Israelites did?

There are many who think that there are a lot of different and valid ways to God. What does this passage tell us about this kind of thinking and what it may mean for our family, friends and neighbours?

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IN THAT DAY: RESTORATION - AMOS 9:1-15

INTRODUCTION The book of Amos started with a word of Judgement upon Israel’s neighbours. They

were sinful and corrupt but Israel turned out to be no better than those pagan nations. The nation of Israel had been divided into two, a false king was enthroned, new places of religion were set up, and false forms of worship were introduced. This led to corruption of the rich and powerful who oppressed their own people for their own selfish gain and indulgences. Israel had forgotten God and the way he expected them to live. They no longer saw God as sovereign and were not interested in hearing from his prophets. This would be to their great shame and condemnation.

However, whenever you find God’s condemnation you will also find a message of mercy and salvation. This final chapter is very dark in its language but it offers hope in the end.

NO ESCAPE AMOS 9:1-4 Amos saw one last vision where God would begin his judgement. Where would this

judgement begin and move out from?

What was the significance of this? What irony can also be found in this?

How would people try to escape and how would God cut them down?

Verse Escape Judged 9:1

9:2

9:3

9:4

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What does this tell us about trying to escape from God and his wrath?

The final statement of God fixing his eyes upon them for evil and not for good is very chilling. We must remember that there were two aspects of God’s covenant relationship with his people; blessings and curses. While they remained God’s people he would shower blessings upon them but if they rejected him, God had the right to pour out the curses of the covenant. This statement of God fixing his eyes upon them for evil was a way of speaking about the curses being delivered in judgement.

THE ALPOWERFUL GOD AMOS 9: 5-6 What does this passage say about God?

GOD’S IMPARTIAL JUDGEMENT AMOS 9: 8-10 This passage is hard for us to understand because we are not familiar with what

happened with the Cushites, how God brought the Philistines from Caphtor, or the Arameans from Kir? However, the logic is simple. God is sovereign over all nations whether they acknowledge him or not.

Why would the Israelites think that they were better than all the other nations?

How does this passage show that God is impartial when it comes to judgement?

RESTORATION AMOS 9:11-15 “In that day” has referred to Judgement Day all the way through Amos. However,

that day will also be a day when God would restore his people. Initially Israel will be restored as a nation and be returned to their land, out of the hands of their oppressors, but true restoration will happen when Jesus returns on that final day. (v11-15)

What was so significant about God repairing David’s tent?

Why was it significant that other nations (Edom) were included in this restoration?

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What would happen to the land and the people?

How can all this be seen in Christ?

TODAY How has this book of Judgement changed you and your attitudes to God?

Do you look forward to the final restoration?

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COMMENTARIES I found all these commentaries helpful but here are some thoughts on each.

Betts, T. J., FOTB: Amos: An ordinary man with an extraordinary message. Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2011 The best commentary for the average person. Not technical and easy to read. It rarely skips over the difficult parts but is not bogged down with too much detail. Is fairly priced at about $17.

Smith, Gary V., Amos, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1998 This is the largest of all the Amos commentaries and never misses out on the hard parts. Though slightly more technical, it is still very easy to read. Is written with an eye to the pastoral issues that can be raised by difficult topics.

Stuart, Douglas., WBC vol. 31: Hoseah-Jonah, Mexico: Thomas Nelson, 1987 Rated as the number 1 Amos commentary on the Best Commentaries website. This is a technical commentary and often refers back to the original language. It is also the most expensive at about $50 but there is value for money as there are 5 biblical books in this volume.

Hubbard, David A., TOTC: Joel and Amos, Leicester: IVP, 1989 A good sturdy and cheap commentary. Not my first choice but you can’t go too far wrong. This volume also has other books in it.

Motyer, Alec., BST: The Message of Amos, Leicester: IVP, 1974 The BST series is much more devotional than most commentaries, therefore it isn’t as easy to use when looking for a specific answer to a question you might have in a particular verse. Still it is a very good resource.