><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Amos) CHAPTER 1-2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What are the particular sins of the nations(1:3-2:3) which call for God's judgement? What may be learnt from this about the things God hates? 2 Judah and Israel are judged because they have failed to live up to God's law - a different standard of judgement from that applied to the nations. In what ways does 2:4-16 show the social, economic, and religious guilt of God's people? How do we fall short on the same issues? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Amos) Chapter 1-2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) Damascus: threshed Gilead (part of Israel's territory), Gaza: taking captive whole communities and selling them, Tyre: sold communities and disregarded treaty, Edom: violent and discompassioante, Ammon: harmed pregnant women to extend borders, Moab: burned Edom's king. These acts done by nations around Israel were mainly socially wrong, whereas Judah and Israel's sins were against the Law of God. (2) Judah and Israel followed false gods, sold the righteous, neglected the needy, immorality, illegal and irreverent behavior of bill collectors (v.8). This brings to my mind the question: are Christians called to a higher standard of morality? From my "youthful" perspective, they certainly are, and yet Christians are not called to feel guilty for every point of the law they break. It is rather a difficult situation, but we are called to be separate from the world. Therefore, when you see a car with a fish on it whiz by you on the beltway and cut someone off, what do you think? Pray for them, but also remember that to be a Christian is to strive to be Christlike (perfect), even if all odds seem to be against you. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- The Book of Amos - The Book of the Plumbline Amos, the writer of this prophecy, means burdened. He was known as the "farmer prophet" - a layman - working man. He was a herdsman man (KJV) and a gatherer of sycamore fruit, 7:14. Note the difference between a herdsman and shepherds; it implies that he was the owner of his herds. It appears that he was an established business man that the Lord called to be His prophet. The Bible call them minor prophets is not because they are less important. It is merely because that their message is shorter. The book was written approximately in 760 B.C. aboout the judgment on sin. Amos made his prophetic pronouncements of judgment in a time period of about 40 years prior to Israel going into exile to Assyrian captivity in 722 B.C. at a time when Israel was a its zenith. Upon the success and victory of Jeroboam II over Syria, the people enjoyed great prosperity. This resulted in wantonness, luxuriousness, and gross sin. Calf worship, which 200 years before had become the kingdom's religion, (I Kings 12:25- 33) had been mixed with Baal worship. There was no threat of war. Business was excellent. The rich were getting richer. There was moral corruption and social injustices. To put it mildly, Amos was not a popular prophet in Israel. Neither Hosea nor Amos could awaken their people from their sluber! However, at this time, Amos was sent to Bethel, the seat of calf worship, to exhort the king and the people to repent of injustice, greed, drunkenness, swearing, adultery, oppression, etc. Chapter 1 - 2 Judgment on the Nations In chapters 1-6, eight nations were denounced and five visions were announced in chapters 7 - 9. Syria- capital city, Damascus, 1:1-5; Philistia- capital city, Gaza, 1:6-8; Phoenicia- capital city, tyre, 1:9-10; Edom- capital cities, Teman and Bozrah, 1:11-12; Ammon- capital city, rabbah, 1:13-15; Moab- capital city, Kirioth, 2:1-3; Judah- capital city, Jerusalem, 2:4-5; Israel- capital city, Samaria, 2:6-16; The whole house of Jacob, both Israel and Judah, 3:1 - 6:14. For the whole house of Jacob: Jacob's punishment must equal her past privileges, 3:1-3 God was issuing them one final warning through his prophets, 3:7 Jacob'senemies are called upon to attest to her wickedness, 3:9; God had tried everything to bring his people to their senses, 4:6-13. But they had refused. Thus, their former Savior would now become their Judge. [Willmington's Guide to the Bible] -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos was from the Southern city of Tekoa. He travelled to the North to Bethel to preach his message to Israel. He preached during the time when the kingdoms were divided into North(Judah) and South(Israel). The king of the North(Uzziah was under the influence of Jeroboam II(Israel-South). Amos lived in a time of extreme social evil and material wealth. It was a very materialistically prosperous time in all of Israel. Amos' main message was against the social evils and the pagan worship of multiple gods. Amos is laid out as follows, the prophecies(chp1-3), the sermons(chp3-6), and the visions(chp7-9). 1) In Chapter one, we have a roll call of nations and their evil deeds. For 3 transgression and four means literally for countless and repeated actions of rebellion. God hates breaking of covneants, senselesss mutilation of people, and worship of other gods. Nations | Their Sins Punishment ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Damascus | Mutilation of Gilead fire on house of Hazael(founder | of Aramean dnyndasty), cutoff | land, exile. citadels Benhadad. ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Philisitia| Selling into slavery Gaza, fire on Gaza, cutoff land, | to the Edomites. remnant to perish.citadels ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Tyre | did not remember covenant fire on Tyre, citadels | and sold people into slavery ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Edom | pursued brother with sword fire on Teman, Citadels of | Bozrah ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Ammon | killed pregnant women fire on Rabbah, citadels, exile | king. ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Moab | burned bones of Edomite king fire on Moab, citadel of Kerioth | ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Judah | rejected Law. Fire on Judah, citadels of | Jerusalem ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- Israel | slavery, idolatry, adultery Extreme judgement. | ----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------- 2)Judah and Israel were God's chosen people, their penalty is worse than that of the 'heathen' because they have been given God's special revelation(the Law). ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Amos) CHAPTER 3-4 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 3:3-8 These verses, by a statement of the law of cause and effect, underline the fact that the unexpected prophecy of 3:1,2 is indeed from God. What does this prophecy teach regarding the responsibility of the people of God? 2 3:9-15 What is the significance of the invitation to the Philistines and Egyptians to come and see the evil done in Samaria? 3 What does chapter 4 teach on the following issues:a) the evil of luxury, b) religious formalism, c) God's attempts to bring Israel to her senses? Notice the solemn conclusion of verse 12. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Amos) Chapter 3-4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos Chapter 3 and 4 The First two Sermons of Judgment The First Sermons of Judgment: Israel's Present 3:1 - 15 The Second Sermons of Judgment: Israel's Past 4:1 -13 Each of these sermons start with "HEAR THIS". 3:3 - 8 The prophetic call cannot be resisted. God is holy and would not walk along with the sinful ones, 3:3. A Lion roars in the jungle because he has found food ready to be caught, 3:4; a trap does not snap shut unless it is stepped on, 3:5. God was issuing them one final warning through his prophets, 3:7. The Lord God has sounded your doom - Amos dared not refuse to proclaim it, 3:8. 3:9 - 12 Samaria will perish for her corruption. Jacob's enemies are called upon to attest to her wickedness, 3:9. They do not know to do right, 3:10. An enemy will overrun the land like a lion swallows a sheep, only two leg bones or a piece of an ear left, 3:12. A lion, after killing a lamb, will not eat every part of the carcass. It may leave the hooves or bone from the leg. Amos was saying that these leftovers would be all that remain of Israel after God judged them. This occurred when Sargon II, an Assyrian king, led the inhabitants of samaria and the rest of the northern kingdom into exile to his empire. Only the poorest were left behind. [The Quest Study Bible] 3:13 - 15 Against bethel and domestic luxury God punished Israel for her sins by destroyed the idol altars at Bethel and demolished their the beautiful homes of the wealthy and ivory palaces. 4:1 - 3 Against the women of samaria. The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks, 4:2b. When prisoners were captured. A hook, tied to a leash, was put in their jaw or tongue, with their feet bound by ropes or chains. God had prophesied that "hooks" would be a form of punishment for Israel in captivity, II kings 19:28; Isaiah 37:29; Ezekiel 29:4. 4:4 - 12 The people ignored God's discipline. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me, 4:11. 4:12b PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, O ISRAEL. Hebrew 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of god is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:11-13. 4:13 DOXOLOGY He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth - the Lord god Almighty is his name. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) V. 3-8 all show a relationship of cause and effect. They are rhetorical examples to show that the Lord will punish Israel for her sins. V.6 is the most direct, "...When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?" (2) Philistia and Egypt were powerful and wealthy nations. It could serve as a warning to them not to be greedy to store up unneeded wealth, and a sovereign display of God's punishment power. (3) a) The luxurious women are called "cows of Bashan", showing their self-centeredness and hunger for pleasure with no regard for the poor and needy. It will be punished brutally (e.g. led away as POW's of the Assyrians with hooks in their lips). b) Those who followed religious tradition (but behaved like pagans) were in huner, drought, thirst, blight and mildew, ruined lands, plagues, mass killings. c) Despite all the punishments, Israel had still not come to her senses. The Assyrians had already defeated Israel brutally, but there is more to come - v. 12, "...prepare to meet your God, O Israel." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos starts each of the sermons with "Listen up!" He is God's messenger and has an important proclamation from God. 1) The first section of Chp3 goes into a cause effect analysis. God is saying that there is a reason for His judgement and that the events about to unfold are from Him. This shows us that we are responsible for listening to God's Commands. 2) Egypt and Samaria are representative of the world. This is a call that the world may see the power of God's judgement. 3) Chapter four teaches that luxury should not be sought after, that formalism is not in line with what God desires(he wants our hearts and minds, not our duty and 'religious action'), and that He wants us to listen to Him and be in obedience to Him. This gives me the sense that Israel had fallen out of the special relationship of intimately knowing God. In verse 12 He plans to 'reintroduce' his power and authority to them. May we never lose sight of our need to maintain a close and tight relationship with the One true, all-powerful, all-knowing God that He has to remind us of His Sovreignty. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Amos) CHAPTER 5-6 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 5:1-17. God uses various methods to draw men back to Him- sel£ Chapter 4 mentioned natural calamities; this chapter, a plea for right living. What sins are rebuked in these verses, and what is the one way of escape? 2 5:18-27. What is necessary to make our worship acceptable to God? How did Israel fail? Is our worship in danger of falling under the same judgment? 3 Chapter 6. Why were the Israelites insensitive to the approaching judgment? What warning does this contain for us? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Amos) Chapter 5-6 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The sins Israel was guilty of mostly dealt with unfaithfulness, neglect of the poor and needy and injustice in the courts. They were going to shrines, places to worship idols like Bethel, Gilgal and Beersheba located in the south of Judah. The Lord would bring judgement, and all, including the busy farmers, would be in mourning and stop work. (2) "God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4;24)." However, Israel was full of idol worship, religious formalism in the worship of the Lord with lack of true faithfulness, and lack of justice and righteousness in their lives. As Pastor Sawyer mentioned in the message this past Sunday, he wants us to see Jesus when we come to church. If we are seeing Jesus, we must be worshiping in spirit and in truth. Seeing Jesus also changes lives, and makes us want to tell others too. (3) The Israelites were so perverted in their ways - v. 12, "Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness..." They were so blatantly contradictory and backwards, so unrighteous in their lifestyles (ch.2). God said he would punish them for their sins, a nation (Babylon) that would oppress them across their whole land. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos Chapter 5 and 6 The Third Sermon - Israel's Futute 5:1-3 Lament for Israel Fallen is Virgin Israel. They were once pure, chosen by God and loved the Lord only. Now, Israelites were unfaithful to the Lord and worship idols, Lam. 2:13. For this reason, they would be destroyed and only one tenth would be spared, II King 17:5-6. 5:4-6 No Salvation Without Repentance - Seek the Lord and live, 6:a. 5:8-9 Doxology - He made the earth rotate: 8b "who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night." He also made the hydrological cycle to turn the salty bitter water to potable water supply: 8c "who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land." The Lord is His name. 5:7, 10-13 Threats - 12b "You refuse justice to the poor." God put so much emphasis on the way we treat the poor. Because it reflects our true character - When we give to others; are we looking for being repaid? 5:14-15 Exhortation Seek good that you may live. Then, the Lord God Almighty will be with you. 5:16-17 Impending Punishment - 17: There will be sorrow and crying in every vineyard, for I will pass through and destroy. 5:18-20 The Day of the Lord - What they thought would be a day of reckoning for their enemies, however, actually turned out to be a day of reckoning for them. [ The Quest Study Bible] 5:21-27 Against formalism in religion - In 5:23 it shows to us very clearly that when our worshipping music turns out to be a religious formality, it would not please the Lord. 6:1-7 Against the Self-indulgent and Their false sense of Security - Woe to the ones who are complacent in Zion. They trusting in false security, 6:1. They put away the day of judgment, 6:3. They are worldly-minded, 6;4-6. 6:8-14 The Punishment and Its Horrors - They would go into bankruptcy and captivity, 6:7. They would go into disfavor with God, 6:8. They would be dead, 6:9. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In chapter 5 Amos delivers a dirge, a funeral song for Israel. This is the indication of just how severe the impending judgement will be. These sins are rebuked in 1-17: injustice(7), hating honest judges at the gate(v10), robbing the poor(11), and taking bribes(11). The only hope for escape is to "SEEK THE LORD THAT YOU MAY LIVE" 2) In order for our worship to be acceptable to God, it needs to be more than religious practice and rote action. We need to "Long for the Day of the Lord" i.e. anticipate Christ's coming and seek with zeal to fulfill the Gospel call. Israel failed in many ways, but the chief reason was that they turned to other gods. Thus, their offerings, their sacfrifices, their festivals, assemblies, songs, anything they did was unacceptable to God. 3) The Israelites thought that they were excluded from the judgement. It is clear in Amos that God would NOT exclude them from this judgement, but that they would bear a heavy portion. Let this be a warning to us to not forget the purpose for our service to the Lord and to remember that we must be the Body of Christ first, the CHURCH second. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Amos) CHAPTER 7:1 - 8:3 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I What is the significance of each of Amos' four visions (7:1-9 8:1-3)? What truth is demonstrated by the difference between the first two and the last two? 2 7:10-17. How does this section reveal the fearless courage of the prophet and the danger to which his obedience to God's call ex- posed him? What may we learn from this concerning the demands of God's service? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Amos) Chapter 7:1 - 8:3 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos 7:1 - 8:3 Four of the Five Visions THE LOCUST PLAGUE Amos presents a vision of destructive locusts, whose devastating invasion was stopped by the Lord when the prophet Amos prayed. The locust plague did not come because God changed His course of action. THE FLAMING FIRE 7:4-6 Amos saw a severe drought which to people in the Mid-East would be like a "flaming fire" (Joel 1:19) The blazing sun would bring the vegetation to complete ruin. Amos again pleads for the people and again God changes His course of action. THE PLUMB LINE 7:7-9 God holds in His hand a plumb line to measure Israel. In the first two visions catastrophes are in the world of nature. In this vision, Israel's national life is held in judgment. The plumb line shows how far Israel has departed from God. This judgment according to God's righteousness is inevitable and Amos realizes his intercession for this judgment is hopeless, 7:8. THE BASKET OF RIPE FRUIT 8:14 Here Israel is presented as late summer fruit that is overripe. She is ready for judgment and judgment is imminent. They will suffer earthquakes, darkness and destruction. [Salem Kirban Reference Bible] THE INTERVENTION OF AMAZIAH: AMOS EXPELLED FROM BETHEL, 7:10- 17 Because of Amos' message of impending judgment threatened the political and religious establishment. Amaziah, one of Jeroboam's priests, tried to discredit Amos and run him out of town. -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The four visions were 1) swarms of locusts eating up the crops, 2)fire which dried up the sea and land, 3) plumb line set against Israel, 4) basket of ripe summer fruit. The locusts seem like an army - swarms of them; they are seen in other places in the Bible (one of the ten plagues on Egypt, Joel 1:4). The fire was of judgement. Plumb line to show how crooked and evil Israel had become, not straight and morally upright, as God's chosen should have been. The summer fruit (NAS) is ready to go rotten, not pleasing and fragrant as it should be. It must be plucked, as God would do to Israel. On the first two punishments, the Lord relented to Amos plea, but on the last two intercession was useless...judgement had come. (2) Amaziah, priest of Bethel, accused Amos of conspiring against king Jeroboam and reported this to the king. Amos spoke fearlessly, v.15, "But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'" His willingness to do what the Lord commanded, right when called and despite himself shows his true character - OBEDIENT and zealous for the Lord. I Jn. 2:3-5, "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But if anyone obeys His word, GOD'S LOVE IS TRULY MADE COMPLETE IN HIM." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vision Significance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 DEVOURING LOCUSTS Amos' intercession yields God's relief of judgement 2 FIRE Again God leases judgement 3 PLUMB LINE Plumb line measures "TRUTH" and Israel comes up short 4 BASKET OF SUMMER FRUIT Summer fruit, short useful life. The King's mowing was the first harvest of crops taken by the King to provide for himself and his animals(Ryrie Study Bible - NASB) The fact that the 1st mowing had been done would mean that the King had his supply, but that the people did not have theirs, i.e. God had his portion, but the people would not have yet taken theirs. Locusts ravage fields and utterly destroy all vegetation in sight. They eat up the nourishment of the people. Fire totally burns up an area, after a forest fire, only soot and charred ground are left. No living creatures survive in most forest fires, all must flee. These are complete annihilation types of disasters. The first two visions and judgements dealt with the land. After Amos' intercession, God spared judgement on the land. It is interesting to note however that He does not spare the people. The land/nation as a physical collective was spared, but not the people, whose hearts had turned away from God. Their time, like summer fruit was short. Lord how can America stand, for it is small... 2) This section shows that there are those who would oppose those speaking the Word of God, as Amaziah did to Amos. It is interesting to note that even 'religious' persons may speak against God's anointed ones. May we be bold to proclaim the Truth in spite of opposition. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Amos) CHAPTER 8:4-9:15 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Why is social injustice the burden of Amos' prophecy? What seven forms ofjudgment are spoken of in 8:7-14? Are these in any way related to the sins of the nation? 2 9:1-10. How does this final vision show that none can escape the hand of God? 3 What does this final chapter teach about the relationship between judgment and restoration in the purposes of God? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Amos) Chapter 8:4-9:15 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- *Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The social injustice shows Israel's corruption - the chosen people using dishonest scales, cheating like ungodly, ignorant of God's justice. Judgement spoken of is the land trembling and rising up like the Nile in flood season and then sinking, darkness, mourning and weeping with shaved heads, famine for the word of the Lord and will not find it, thirst, destruction of worshippers of false gods. (2) None will escape the judgement. This portion reminds me of Psalm 139:7-10, "Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?...", which celebrates the omnipresence of God. However, here it is a terrifying thing rather than a celebration and praise. (3) The final promise is the best. After all the judgement and destruction that will occur, the very last statement is full of hope. It shows the true nature of God - merciful and compassionate, full of restoration, v. 15:"I will plant Israel in their own land, NEVER AGAIN TO BE UPROOTED from the land I have given them," says the Lord your God." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Amos 8:4 - 9:15 The Rest of the Five Visions and The five Promises Chapter 8:4 - 14 Vision of the Summer Fruit - A basket of fruit soon to be rotten for judgment. AGAINST SWINDLERS AND EXPLOITERS 8:4-8 New moon, 8:5 It was both a religious and a civil festival. A day of celebration of rest, of increased offerings and worship. The charges of their sins of "this rotten fruits" were greediness, dishonesty and merciless brutality toward poor. PREDICTION OF A MYSTERIOUS PUNISHMENT: DARKNESS AND MOURNING, 8:9-10 The sun to go down at noon - to judge the world, a picture of absolute devastation, 8:9 Matthew 24:22 "If those days had not been cut short, not one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." Rev. 11:2. Matthew 24:29 "Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the start will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken." FAMINE AND DROUGHT OF THE WORD OF GOD, 8:11-12 There would be no comforting words from God - "not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. ---- searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it." FRESH PREDICTION OF PUNISHMENT, 8:13-14 Precious youth would be thirsty and hungry of the word of God. And those who worship the idols of Samaria, Dan, and Beersheba shall fall and never rise again. The Fifth Vision - The Fall of the Sanctuary 9:1-4 Prediction of captivity. Within 30 years, the apostate kingdom ceased to exist. What God did was to strip away Israel's national identity. He allowed Assyria to carry the nation off into captivity and resettle the people in a foreign country. DOXOLOGY, 9:4-5 " ------. The Lord, the Lord Almighty, he who touches the earth and it melts, and all who live in it mourn -------." NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES FOR ISRAEL, 9:7-8a God would not treat Israelites different than Cushites (Ethiopians), Philistines and Syrians, since they broke the covenant and as a result sacrificed the relationship with God. PROSPECTS OF RESTORATION, 9:11-15 Prophecy usually included both doom and promise. The warnings of impending judgment were meant to jar people into a state of alarm and give them one last chance to repent. But offering hope was also part of being a prophet of the God of grace. The double-barreled approach to prophecy, judgment and mercy, is consistent throughout the Bible. [The Quest Study Bible] The Five Promises of the Restoration of Israel: 1) The harvest will follow directly after plowing; 2) Bring back the exiled Israelites; 3) Rebuild the ruined cities; 4) Plant Israel in their own land and 5) Never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Social injustice is the burden of Amos' prophecy because the people were so wicked to those socially lesser ones. The major forms of judgement in chp8 are: earthquake, sun go down at noon, and famine of the WORD. They are indicative of the type of neglect for the 'land' that people have done, the darkness spiritually of the nation, and the lack of hunger for the WORD. 2) 9:1-10: This is a vision of the inescapable hand of God and wrath of the Almighty. IT is a truly fearsome sight. It displays the awesome power and inescapable judgment of God. 3) This last chapter of Amos shows us that judgement must come before restoration can be meted out.