True Justice: Why Study the Book of Amos Part B

In our last article, we learned that Amos, a humble Judean farmer, was raised up by God to give a heavy word to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Through his prophetic words we learn more about true justice - the kind that God approves of. Here, in Part 02, we will summarise the book and give an outline.

SUMMARY

Amos 1-2 begins with judgement of the neighbours, including Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistines), and Tyre (Phoenicia). It then aims at Israel’s cousins, including Edom, Ammon and Moab. Then Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, are in the cross-hairs of prophetic rebuke.

Amos 3-6 speaks of judgement to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria).

This nation started off on the wrong foot from Day 01. It was through the sin of their first king, Jeroboam, who set up golden calves for worship in Bethel and Dan. Not one of his successors broke from the ‘sin of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.’ Thus, the seeds of the nation’s destruction were present at its birth. Commercialism also was part of the worship service - making money never looked more pious. And there were the empty rituals which were hated by the Lord.

Amos speaks of past chastening which failed to bring repentance. Yet, the invitation to repent was still available. In it is forgiveness and life. Failure to do so means that in the day of the LORD, there will be judgment, not mercy.

Amos 7-9 are the visions of Amos. There are the plague of locusts and judgment by fire, and in both cases he prays for mercy. There is the vision of the plumb-line. The high priest at Bethel sends Amos away (7:12-13). This rejection of the word of God means judgment, vision of the basket of ripe fruit, judgement on the unjust, and famine for the word of God.

Yet, as often is the case in the Bible’s prophetic denouncements comes redemptive announcements. The twin theme of condemnation and consolation also comes through in Amos. First, there is the prophecy of the restoration of the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, which is an open door for the Gentiles to come in. This passage was quoted in Acts 15:16-17 in the council at Jerusalem, where the Jewish apostles were debating how to handle the massive influx of Gentiles in the church. Because of this passage and James’ wise advice, the mother church at Jerusalem informed the Gentiles that they were not obliged to keep the Law of Moses or undergo circumcision to be considered part of the community of faith.

In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: ¹²That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this — Amos 9:11-12

Restoration and Revival: Another bright light was the last two verses. There is the promise that God would end the captivity of His people Israel. They would be regathered in the land of their fathers, build the waste cities and live in them, plant vineyards and drink the wine, plant gardens, eat the fruit. In addition, once repatriated, they would never again be exiled from the land that God has given them.

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. ¹⁵And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God — Amos 9:14-15

You can take comfort that Almighty God keeps His promises.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF AMOS

I.         Prophecies Against Neighbours and Israel (1:1-2:16)

A.     Damascus (1:3-5)

B.      Gaza (1:6-8)

C.      Tyre (1:9-10)

D.     Edom (1:11-12)

E.      Ammon (1:13-15

F.       Moab (2:1-3)

G.     Judah (2:4-5)

H.     Israel (2:6-16)

II.      The Word of God for the Northern Kingdom of Israel (3-6)

A.     Judgement on the Northern Kingdom of Israel (3:1-15)

B.      No repentance despite past judgements (4:1-13)

C.      A present call to repentance and life (5:1-15)

D.     Day of the Lord will bring judgement (except they repent - 5:16-6:14)

III.    The Visions of Amos (7-9)

A.     Plague of locusts (7:1-3)

B.      Plagued by fire and prayer for mercy (7:4-6)

C.      Plumb-line (7:7-9)

D.     Bethel high priest sends Amos away (7:10-13)

E.      Failure to listen to the prophecy means judgment (7:14-17)

F.       Basket of ripe fruit (8:1-3)

G.     Judgement on the unjust (8:4-10)

H.     Famine for God’s Word (8:11-14)

I.         Judgement from the altar (9:1-6)

J.         Israel will not be completely destroyed by judgement (9:7-10)

K.     Hope: Tabernacle of David (9:11-13

L.      Israel repatriated and restored (9:14-15)

LESSON FOR LIFE: True justice is obeying God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.