INTRODUCTION:

Amos prophesied in the 8th century BC (probably beginning about 760BC). His prophesy ran concurrent with that of Isaiah during Uzziah's reign.

Although Amos was a native of Judah, he prophesied in the Northern kingdom where Jeroboam II was king. However, his preaching prophecy stirred up so much anger and animosity that he was compelled to return to Judah and write out the prophecy.

Amos was a shepherd (see Amos 1:1) who supplemented his income by working the wild fig trees (sycamore).

Just as with all the other prophets, Amos received a sepcific and personal call from God to prophesy. (see Amos 7:15) ANYONE can be called to preach the gospel, and ALL who are called to salvation are called to preach at least to family, friends and neighbors.

The main theme of Amos seems to be social injustice due to the governmental promotion of idolatry and moral corruption. This theme should be advantageous to we who live in America today! It seems our government PROMOTES abortion, gambling, and castigating those who are bold enough to speak of faith in Christ in public places.

Amos also prophecies against surrounding countries and even Judah.

In chapters 7-9 there are 5 visions Amos received: locusts, fire, the plumbline, a basket of ripe fruit, and one of impending judgment.

Although Amos prophesies of destruction, he also includes a prophecy of the restoration during the reign of the "Son of David" during the Millenial Kingdom.

CHAPTER 1

1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdman 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.

Amos was a simple man called of God. Yet Amos was called to a very difficult task. In a time of spiritual reformation in his own country, he was called to prophesy against governmental injustice to a neighboring country - and that neighboring country including kinsmen!

My friend, if you are called to be saved, you are also called to preach the gospel to EVERY CREATURE (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus said if you receive His Holy Spirit, "...ye SHALL BE witnesses..." (Acts 1:8).

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.

Amos' prophecy was that God will JUDGE! One day, our Lord Jesus will plant His feet in Jerusalem and JUDGE the world. Even governments shall be judged for their social injustices!

When King Jesus comes, the "shepherds" will "mourn."
FALSE shepherds will mourn because they are caught in their trickery and fakery.
Even TRUE shepherds will mourn because so many are found LOST!

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: 4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. 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.

Note first, that the prophecy comes directly from God -- "Thus saith the LORD!"

It is a direct truth revealed from God that He will judge in punitive manner all those who CONTINUE in "transgressions."

The words "for three transgressions...and for four" mean CONTINUED transgression. Even though the Syrians had received prophecy which called them to repentance and surrender to God, they had refused and continued to be rebellious against the Lord. They had also acted in brash manner and persecuted God's people (vs 3b). The order to persecute God's people came from the CAPITOL of Syria - Damascus.

God's punitive judgment would begin with the king and his government (vs 4). And that judgment would extend to the whole area (vs 5).

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: 7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof: 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.

Gaza was one of the chief towns of Philistia. The Philistines also persecuted Israel in a CONTINUAL manner (vs 6b).

God promises destruction of this town, and the town of Ashdod (vs 8) which was another of the chief cities of Philistia. Other cities are also mentioned: Ashkelon and Ekron.

When God "turn(s)" His "hand" against a place, that place cannot help but perish!

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: 10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

Again note the destruction is for CONTINUED transgression against God and His people.

Eternal punishment awaits those who refuse God and make light of His Eternal Glory and Sovereignty. And I cannot help but think hell will be even HOTTER for those who persecute God's people!

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: 12 But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

EDOM were descendents of ESSAU, who was Jacob's brother. When there should have been a peace, there was enmity. The Edomites were continual ravishers of the Israelites.

Again, note that God's punitive judgment will begin with the national headquarters (vs 12).

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: 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: 15 And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

The Ammonites were descendents of Lot, and thus related to the Israelites. Yet they CONTINUALLY transgressed against God by persecuting His people.

Note that they, along with almost every other nation, had a goal of ENLARGING THEIR BORDER (vs 13). Their evil was so great, that when they invaded a city, they would "rip up the women with child!"

Friends, God takes persecution of His people PERSONALLY!
Governments which take a rebellious stand against God usually take a persecution stance against God's people.
God WILL JUDGE governments and politicians who do so!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.