A
simple farmer prophesies to a materialistic nation, and the nations around.
The
historical background and purpose of the prophet Amos
The
opening verse gives us time frame. He was a shepherd from a small town near
Bethlehem, the tribe of Judah. He was a
prophet at the time of Jeroboam II, around the year 786-746 BC. It was before
the worst terror of Assyria was depressing the people, and there were economic
growth and prosperity in the kingdom. He was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom.
It is a hard and unpopular role to be a prophet. In verse Amos says 7.14 he says
he is only a prophet because God told him to. It is interesting to see how Amos
prophesies to neighbor countries also – not only Israel.
Theme
tracing:
What does the book show about
the character and nature of God?
We
really see Gods heart in ch.2.6 – God describes Israel’s sins because they
don’t take care of the poor, the slaves, the helpless, sex perversion and the
oppressed! I love this heart of God and how He is relational. He is all through
His book, a voice for the voiceless –
and want’s His people to be alike!
He
relents 7.6 when Amos pleads
He
is justice v. 5.24, and shows judgment, 9 .10,
9.
11: and grace and mercy
He
wants to rebuild v.9.14
He
wants to tell His people of what to come
- 5.27
What does this book show
about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?
In
Amos 9.11-15, he gives words of restoration
- and no conditions are mentioned
- it is all 100 % grace and mercy. Amen!!
Come
back to the Lord and live, Amos 5.4, 6 and 14.
Act.15:
14 – the Gentiles - all the nations He
has called.
Gods
plan of Righteousness is essential in the entire Bible, also in this book in ch.5.24
“ I want to see a mighty flood of justice an endless river of righteous
living”. In NT, Rom. 1.16-17 Paul writes t “ it is trough faith that a righteous
person has life”
Application
questions
Personal application:
This week it really came to my notice how
God through all the books we have read so far, has tried to tell His people and
the OR, and now us, that He cares for all the people and all the nations. He
has also said all the way those strangers that believe in Him are welcome into
His fellowship. Though this Prophets week I have really sees how God even uses
His prophets to lead the foreigners out of sin
- believing in other gods and trusting in themselves – their need of
repenting - and then His open arms to
fellowship. It is so fun with such revelations – I have taught from before that
it was from Acts the Gentiles got the chance to be His people – but now I see
it has been God’s intended plan all the way to invite everybody.
” To keep the reservation
possibility for physicians in Norway, in matters of conscience”
The God idea in the book of Amos speaks
directly into my Point of passion. The fighting to remain a right to say no to
refer patient to treatment like abortion or active death treatment - is so inline with Gods heart for the
voiceless. I’m so stirred this day about the importance of daring to stand for
what is right - also in this matter –
and God is working on me as I am continuing praying for my friends at home
doing the work on this this change in the laws in Norway.
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