Introduction
Amos, possibly the first of the writing prophets, was a shepherd and farmer called to prophesy during the reigns of Uzziah (792-740 B.C.) in the southern kingdom and Jeroboam II (793-753) in the north. During this time both kingdoms enjoyed political stability, which in turn brought prosperity.
It was also a time of idolatry, extravagance, and corruption. The rich and powerful were oppressing the poor. Amos denounced the people of Israel for their apostasy and social injustice and warned them that disaster would fall upon them for breaking the covenant.
He urged them to leave the hypocrisy of their “solemn assemblies” (5:21) and instead to “let justice roll down like waters” (v.24). Nevertheless, said Amos, God would remember his covenant with Israel and would restore a faithful remnant.
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds 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.
Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors
Here is a series of oracles against the nations. Each section starts with, “For three transgressions” and goes on to tell the punishment the Lord would inflict on them for their sins. After pronouncing judgments on Israel’s neighbors for various atrocities, Amos announced God’s condemnation of his own two kingdoms for despising God’s laws.
His listing of Israel’s sins under the same form of indictment used against the other nations shockingly pictured Israel’s sins alongside those of her pagan neighbors.
It went on to discuss the judgments on Judah and on Israel and listed some of their sins they were being punished for: rejected the law of the Lord; did not keep statues; lies led them astray; etc.
Israel’s Guilt and Punishment
The rest of today’s reading discussed oracles that underscored the certainty of God’s judgment on Israel.
“Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:
“You only have I known
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your iniquities.
Do two walk together,
unless they have agreed to meet?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in the city,
and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
unless the Lord has done it?
For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret
to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
who can but prophesy?”
-Amos 3:1-8
Israel Has Not Returned to the Lord
In the past God used natural disasters to discipline and warn his people, but those lessons were soon forgotten. These were not simply natural disasters, but were direct acts of God. This next section went on to share the disciplines, “and yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. This is seen with lack of rain before harvest, locusts, plagues, Sodom and Gomorrah and total destruction.
“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel;
because I will do this to you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
“For behold, he who forms the mountains
and creates the wind,
and declares to man what is his thought,
who makes the morning darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth–
the Lord, the God of hosts,
is His name!”
-Amos 4:12-13
Seek the Lord and Live
Amos sorrowfully fashioned a lament as if Israel were already dead. If the people would only seek the Lord, they could yet escape the judgment and destruction anticipated for them.
“He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
and turns deep darkness into the morning
and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name;
who makes destruction flash forth
against the strong,
so that destruction comes upon
the fortress.
They hate him who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor him who speaks
the truth.
Therefore because you trample on the poor
and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins–
you who afflict the righteous,
who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore he who is prudent will keep
silent in such a time,
for it is an evil time.
Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be with you,
as you have said.
Hate evil, and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
-Amos 5:8-15
Let Justice Roll Down
Here it discussed the time when God will show himself victor over the world, vindicating his claims to be the Lord over all the earth. Israel expected to be exalted as his people and longed for that day to come. Amos warned that the day would come, but not as Israel expected. It would be a day of “darkness, not light” for her because she had not been faithful to God.
The Lord reminded Israel that their relationship was not based on sacrifices, but on obedience. This punishment was the final one as they were exiled from the God-given land to remote foreign places.