Today, we continue our journey through the Bible with today’s study of Amos. I pray God shows us what He wants us to learn.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are:
- What does the scripture say about God?
- Then what does the scripture say about me?
- Does something in this passage challenge me?
- What gives me hope in this passage?
- Is anything unclear to me?
I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.
The Book OF Amos Details:
- Author: Amos.
- Audience: The northern Kingdom of Israel.
- Date Written: approximately 760-750 B.C.
- Length: 9 chapters.
- Keywords: Seek.
- Key Verses: Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Amos 5:14.
- Key People: Amos, Amaziah, Jeroboam II.
Summary of Amos:
Amos can see that beneath Israel’s external prosperity and power, internally the nation is corrupt to the core and needs to seek God with their whole hearts. The sins for which Amos reprimands the people are extensive: neglect of God’s Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership, and oppression of the poor. Amos begins by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and finally, the harshest judgment falls onto Israel. His visions from God reveal the same insistent message: judgment is near. The book ends with God’s promise to Amos of future restoration of the remnant. How much does this sound like us today?
Sections of the Book:
The book of Amos contains four significant themes, which are:
- Punishment of the surrounding nations (1-2:2).
- Punishment of Judah and Israel (2:3-6:8).
- Vision concerning Israel (7-9:9).
- Restoration of Israel (9:10-end).
Messages in Amos:
The message of Amos also applies to the global church today with as much force and necessity as it landed on the people of God 2,700 years ago. The key message in Amos is that God is just and impartial and will judge not only the nations but also his own people for their life of ease and apathy amid human suffering. To wealthy nations around the world today, and particularly prosperous Christians in those nations, the prophecy of Amos is a clear call for active engagement with the poor and afflicted, especially among God’s people.
Final thoughts:
And like so many other books in the Bible, we see God’s character on display in this book. They are:
- Holy–4:2.
- Provident-3:6.
We can see the references to Christ in the book of Amos in the message that Israel’s complete restoration and recovery of the land will only happen during the second coming of Christ, the Messiah. And it will restore us along with Israel if we seek the Lord while we can.
All Lessons from the Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
“14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:14-17.
Prayer
Please grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Wonderful post, Yvonne. Thanks for pointing out the parallels to today’s church. Haha, now I have that 1970s song “Rivers of Babylon” stuck in my head.:-)
Sorry about the song but at least it’s a good one. Thank you Vera. Blessings
May we always remember there are consequences for our actions. May we always lean in to God in every situation. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Thank you Melissa. A blessed week to you too
What a great reminder Ms. Yvonne. Not only does God see what we do in private, He also knows what we think in private. He created us to serve Him and to serve others. We can’t fool God, He will not be mocked. Always enjoy these summaries ma’am. Thank you!
Thank you JD. Someday, when we stand before the judgement throne, all that is hidden will be revealed. Blessings
Wow, an important message for the church today. Lord, give us eyes to see the needs all around us and gracious hearts to share the blessings you have given. Thank you for sharing this teaching, Yvonne!
Amen Melissa. May we see what needs to be done and prepare our hearts for what’s to come. Blessings
The Book of Amos provides instruction and wisdom we can apply directly to the conflicts we are facing now. Much prayer needed. Thank you for being the messenger, Yvonne.
We do not lots of prayers currently because only God can fix our problems. Thank you Katherine. Blessings
Yvonne, thank you for this overview with pertinent details from Amos to teach us more about this Old Testament prophet. I love reading how the Old Testament books point to Christ.
Me too Jeannie. Christ is visible in the entire Bible and it’s fun seeking Him out within the pages. Thanks and blessings on your day.
This is another great book summary, Yvonne. Thank you for drawing our attention to God’s attributes and directions found in Amos.
Thanks Annie. I appreciate you commenting. Blessings
Over and over today I hear this message — the signs are there! Judgment is near! I believe God wants us to always know that we must walk through life keeping an eye ALWAYS on the eternal, for there are consequences (whether now or later when we die).
Very true. The Bible tells this same message over again too. I understand the second coming might not happen anytime soon but many will die today unprepared so always an important message
Sobering words and lessons from Amos. The neglect of God’s Word, idolatry, corrupt leadership, and so on all sound very current today. May we show ourselves approved to study God’s Word and follow as true disciples.
Amen Karen. It is a sobering lesson that we seem to be repeating. Blessings