INTRODUCTION: We have before us this morning, the book of Amos. I have outlined this book as follows: First, the prophecies of Amos against the nations, chapters 1-2. Second, the preaching of Amos to Israel, 3:1-5:17. Third, the pronouncements of Amos against Israel in 5:18-6:14, and fourth, and last, the prophecies of Amos against Israel 7:1-9:15). This morning we want to look at the first two points which will take us from chapter 1 through chapter 5:17.
Amos, a name which appears nowhere else in the Bible, was an 8th century prophet, contemporary of Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah. Although he lived in Judah his message is judgment to Israel in the north. His message, verse one tells us, comes in words. Words are incredible things when you stop to think about it. They are conveyors of thoughts, and God's thoughts are conveyed, historically to Israel, and throughout history they have carried a message and they do so today, if anything, more so than ever. But in 7:14, he tells us he was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet, but a herdsman and a tender of sycamore fruit. He was just an ordinary man. God chooses ordinary people from time to time. Also, he lived in Tekoa, not a prominent place, and it was some 10 miles south of Jerusalem, and so not that far from Bethlehem, with which we are more familiar. |
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