AMOS LESSON 1
The book of Amos was penned by the prophet Amos. He was a
shepherd, and a dresser of sycamore trees by trade. His prophecy was
by inspiration of God, and lasted a very short time. Some scholars
believe he prophesied just a few days. He prophesied during the reigns
of Jereboam the second in Israel, and Uzziah in Judah. He used the
expression "thus saith the Lord" 40 times. He did not claim to be a
professional prophet, but actually admitted his lowly beginning. The
name "Amos" means burden, or burden-bearer. He was of the tribe of
Judah. He condemned the luxurious living of the wealthy. He prophesied
about 750 B.C. This was a time of much affluence in their land. Amos'
message of coming punishment was not very well accepted.
Now, we will begin with Amos 1:1 "The words of Amos, who was
among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days
of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash
king of Israel, two years before the earthquake."
Tekoa was a town about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. It was in a
very rough area. The words came from the mouth of Amos, but he had
seen this miraculously. The Words, then, were from God spoken through
the mouth of Amos. An earthquake is God dealing in judgement toward
man. The following is another reference to this earthquake, even
though the historical books have not mentioned it. Zechariah 14:5 "And
ye shall flee [to] the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the
mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled
from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and
the LORD my God shall come, [and] all the saints with thee."
Amos 1:2 "And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter
his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall
mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither."
Notice, this voice comes from Jerusalem, and from The church
{Zion}. The "roar of the voice" is speaking of a thunderous voice.
This is a warning from Jerusalem, even to Carmel, that judgement is
coming. Mount Carmel was a beautiful green pastureland. It had been
the sight of Elijah calling down fire from heaven, to prove that God
is God. Now, even Carmel will not be spared.
Amos 1:3 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of
Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;
because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:"
Damascus was a large city in Syria. They were opposed to Israel,
and took advantage of every opportunity to destroy them. They are
enemies of God, because of their foul treatment of God's people.
Amos 1:4 "But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which
shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad."
The name "Ben-hadad" means son of the sun. Hazael was father of
Benhadad the third. Syria fell from its place of prominence during his
reign. The palaces were speaking of the palaces in Damascus. This fire
was, probably, a literal fire that destroyed them.
Amos 1:5 "I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the
inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre
from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into
captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD."
The bar mentioned here, is, possibly, the bar closing the gate.
If it were gone, it would make easy entrance into the city. There
seemed to be worship of the sun going on at Aven. Eden will be
included in this area that is cut off. This is speaking doom and
desolation from God on Aven, Eden, and Syria. God is angry with them,
because of their constant conflict with Israel.
Amos 1:6 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza,
and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because
they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver [them] up to
Edom:"
These lands were so opposed to Judah and Israel, that they would
have done anything to help their enemies destroy them. Gaza is an area
that contained five Philistine cities. The Philistines had always been
enemies of God's people. The giant, Goliath, was representing the
Philistines, when he came against God.
Amos 1:7 "But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall
devour the palaces thereof:"
This fire occurs during one of the wars that came against this
area. It seemed as if, God had a special punishment for each area,
according to the injury they had done to others.
Amos 1:8 "And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him
that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand
against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith
the Lord GOD."
Ashdod was a city about 35 miles from Gaza. The Philistines had
been a strong enemy of Israel and Judah. They were an idolatrous
people. Ashteroth was their most prominent false god. Samson won great
victories for Israel over these same Philistines. God had ample reason
to destroy them. We see again, "saith the LORD God". Ashkelon was a
city near Gaza. Ekron was a city about 11 miles from Bath. All of
these were Philistine cities. God is taking vengeance Himself for the
Israelites.
Amos 1:9 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of
Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;
because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered
not the brotherly covenant:"
Tyrus is the Greek form of Tyre. This was the great Phoenecian
city of trade that was under siege 13 years by Nebuchadnezzar. They
were into many types of false worship. Much of it was of the sensual
type. They were very wealthy from their trade center here. They were
greatly opposed to God's people. The condemnation that came upon them
was for their worship of false gods, but also, because they were
opposed so fiercely to God's people.
Amos 1:10 "But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which
shall devour the palaces thereof."
This city was great in its architecture. They were very wealthy,
and their homes were like palaces. Their palaces were some of the most
magnificent. They could not withstand the judgement of God, and they
were burned.
Amos 1:11 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of
Edom, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof;
because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all
pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for
ever:"
Esau was the founder of Edom. Esau had never forgiven Jacob for
getting his birthright. He held anger in his heart, and this anger
descended to his children and grandchildren. Edom is accused of their
inhuman treatment of their relatives, the Hebrews of the 12 tribes of
Israel. The bitterness he felt for his brother lived on, and had never
diminished. Soon after Amos wrote this, the Edomites, as a separate
people, vanish from the pages of history.
Amos 1:12 "But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour
the palaces of Bozrah."
Teman is the southern portion of Edom, and Bozrah was its
capital. This is destroyed as well by God, Himself.
Amos 1:13 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the
children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment]
thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead,
that they might enlarge their border:"
It seemed, the Ammonites were extremely cruel in battle toward
the women and children of Israel. Ammon was descended from Lot. The
Ammonites and the Moabites were descended from Lot and his 2
daughters. They were, also, accused of removing the sacred marker of
the land.
Amos 1:14 "But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it
shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle,
with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:"
Rabbah was the capital of Ammon. This fire, even though from God,
is during a battle. We studied in another book, how the war came
against the tents like a great whirlwind and destroyed them. Jeremiah
23:19 "Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a
grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the
wicked." This speaks of a judgement of God. Jeremiah 49:2 "Therefore,
behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of
war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate
heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel
be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD."
Amos 1:15 "And their king shall go into captivity, he and his
princes together, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 49:3 "Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye
daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and
fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, [and] his
priests and his princes together." We see from these two Scriptures,
that the king was taken. Some believe this is, also, speaking of their
false god being taken, as well as the king. It does not matter. God
passed judgement on them, and they fell.
Amos 1 Questions
1. What did Amos do to make a living?
2. How long do most people believe Amos prophesied?
3. Who were the kings of Judah and Israel when he prophesied?
4. How many times does he use the expression "thus saith the Lord"?
5. What does "Amos" mean?
6. When did he prophesy?
7. Where was Tekoa?
8. An earthquake is for what?
9. Quote Zechariah chapter 14 verse 5.
10. What is the "roar of the voice"?
11. What wonderful thing had happened at mount Carmel?
12. Where was Damascus?
13. What does the name "Ben-hadad" mean?
14. Who was the father of Benhadad the third?
15. What is the bar mentioned in verse 5?
16. Who were the Philistines always enemies of?
17. Where is Gaza?
18. Where was Asdod?
19. What were the names of some of the Philistine cities?
20. What was another name of Tyrus?
21. How many years was Tyrus under siege?
22. How was Tyrus destroyed?
23. _______ was the founder of Edom.
24. Who were the enemies of Edom?
25. Why was Esau continuously with his wrath against the Israelites?
26. Who were the Ammonites?
27. ________ was the capital of Ammon.
28. Quote Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 19.
29. Quote Jeremiah chapter 49 verse 3?
30. Who passed judgement on them?
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