By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, October 21, 2020

* Amos 1-9* Introduction to the book* Amos means “burden bearer.”* Message of the book: doom.* The book was written approximately 760-750 B.C.* Four major divisions of prophecy in the book:* Judgment on six nations around Judah* Damascus (Amos 1:3-5) – for cruelty in war* Gaza (Amos 1:6-8)* Tyre (Amos 1:9-10)* Edom (Amos 1:11-12) – for hatred of Israel* Ammon (Amos 1:13-15) – for cruelty to people* Moab (Amos 2:1-3) – for burning the bones of the king of Edom* Judgment on Judah (Amos 2:4-5) – for religious apostasy* Judgment on Israel (Amos 2:6-9:10)* Amos 2:6-8 – God rebukes Israel for injustice, immorality, and idolatry.* See I Kings 12:30.* Amos 3 – Israel no longer walked with God.* Amos 4:12 – Summation of the book: “prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”* Amos 5:23; 6:5 – Some try to misuse these verses to show that instrumental worship is not approved.* II Chronicles 29:25 – Instrumental music was approved for worship under the Old Covenant.* Doing the right thing with wrong motives is not approved by God.* Amos 7:10-17 – Amos was ordered not to prophesy in Israel by Amaziah.* Messianic hope (Amos 9:11-15)* See Acts 15:13-18 (quotation of Amos 9:11-12).* This is the only optimistic message in the book!* Lessons for us:* We are going to meet God in judgment, so prepare!* God is righteous, both in punishment and blessing.* Even right acts are an insult to God if done with wrong motives.* All can be blessed in the restored tabernacle of David.