September 23: Amos 1–5 Amos was a shepherd called to be a prophet. His ministry was one of denunciation for sin and was especially directed to the northern kingdom at a time when it was in great prosperity materially but very degenerate spiritually and morally. Amos 1, 2 – Revenge. After the introduction of the book, these two chapters announce judgment on eight nations. Each judgment is prefaced by the words for three transgression of [the nation] and for four which is a literary device to emphasize that their sins were many. •Judgment on Damascus/Syria (1:3-5). •Judgment on Gaza/Philistia (1:6-8). •Judgment on Tyre/Phoenicia (1:9, 10). •Judgment on Edom (1:11, 12). • Judgment upon Ammon (1:13-15). •Judgment on Moab (2:1-3). •Judgment on Judah (2:4). • Judgment on Israel (2:6-16): the cause of their judgment (cruel to the poor, corrupt in morals and religion); condemnation in their judgment (it shows they despised warnings of God); character of their judgment (diminished strength and courage). Amos 3 – Retribution. •Cause: Israels privileged relationship to God prompts judgment. •Certainty: a series of seven questions with obvious answers emphasize certainty of judgment. •Crowd: other nations are invited to witness the judgment upon Israel. •Corruption: violence and robbery are named as sins of Israel. •Character: the character of the judgment will include spoiling (others would take away their riches); severity (only pieces of them left); sanctuary (altar of Bethel destroyed); smiting (homes of wealthy destroyed). Amos 4 – Rebuke. •Women: their corruption emphasized by calling them cows. •Worship: in satirical language, the corruption of religion is rebuked. •Warnings: five chastenings are listed and failure to repent in each is noted, and this is followed by the warning to prepare to meet God in judgment. Amos 5 – Ruin. •Condition of ruin: great decline in population. •Counsel in ruin: seek the Lord; seek good not evil. •Cause of ruin: this included contempt (they hated the preacher who preaches against sin); cruelty (oppression of the poor); covetous (greedy); carnal (wanted end times to come but did not realize what was involved—many interested in prophecy today are like this); corrupt (worship was polluted with vile songs and practices like in our day). —Butlers Daily Bible Reading (1) Synopsis
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 05:55:09 +0000
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