"AMOS: A SPECIAL MAN FOR A DIFFICULT TASK"<< Previous | Index | Next >>
Intro. A. Amos prophesied during the last part of the reign of Jeroboam II, about 760-750 B. C. This was about twenty-five years before the northern captivity. 1. Jeroboam II reigned over what historians refer to as Israel's "Indian summer." a. "Indian summer" is a deceptive period of warm weather just before harsh and bitter cold. 2. Israel was enjoying material prosperity and, to the people, things never looked better; the future never looked brighter, but Amos saw a very different picture. I. THE MAN AMOS. A. A herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees. Amos 1:1; 7:14-15 B. A southern prophet in the northern kingdom. Amos 7:12 C. Amos and Hosea: a fascinating contrast. D. A man with a "burden" to bear. 1. Burden of responsibility. 2. Burden of rejection and ridicule. II. THE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS AMOS FACED. A. Material prosperity. Amos 3:15; 6:1-6 1. "But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." B. Moral decline and corruption. Amos 2:6-8; 5:10-12 C. Continuous religious apostasy. Amos 5:21-24 1. God does not want a worship which becomes a meaningless ritual. Matt. 15:8; Ezek. 33:31 D. A prideful and arrogant attitude. Amos 5:18-20 III. THE JUDGMENT OF JEHOVAH. A. Judgment was deserving. Amos 7:7-9; 8:1-6 1. Two visions: the plumb line and the basket of summer fruit. B. Judgment would be unchangeable. Amos 4:6-12 1. "Therefore...prepare to meet thy God, O Israel." C. Judgment would be severe. Amos 3:11-12; 4:2 D. Judgment was unexpected. Amos 5:27; 6:3; 9:10 1. Because they had never been bothered by a far distant world empire, they had felt secure. However, Amos warns that they would go into captivity "beyond Damascus." Concl. A. Only the bitter pill of captivity and national destruction would finally wake up the people and ultimately humble their proud spirit. B. The message of Amos transcends time and still has clear and important lessons that we must heed. 1. "It is never too soon to repent, because you never know how soon it might be too late." 2. Even if it is too late for America as a nation, let us seek the Lord with all our hearts that we might be saved by Him rather than suffer His wrath. 3. We can be delivered from the wrath to come through Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 1:10
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