....and our prophet is from the South (Judah) and God calls him to pronounce judgment on the North (Israel)....woah! It is a time of peace, but the rich are getting richer, and the poor are being oppressed by the rich (any of this sound familiar?). Amos is a layperson.....he herds sheep! Apparently, he was also a fig grower. He is doing his regular job when he is called, and he is obedient, so he is called a Man of God. God loves His people so much, He keeps sending messages to repent.....Obadiah has been there, Jonah has been there....and the rich are just going through the motions of worship. Idols are around (you remember the golden calves?). Amos begins by judging Israel's neighbors..
1) Damascus is the capital of Aram (Syria)
2) Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon and Ekron are in Philistia
3) Tyre is in Phoenicia
4) Edom....Teman is in the south, Bozrah is in the North.....they should have been a "brother" to Israel, but rejoiced when they were captured.
5) Ammon....capitol is Amon.....these are descendants of Lot and his younger daughter
6) Moab....these are descendants of Lot and his older daughter...
and then...
Judgment on Judah and Israel!!!!!!
They are condemned for 5 specific sins:
1) selling the poor as slaves
2) exploiting the poor
3) perverse sexual sin
4) taking illegal collateral for loans
5) worshiping false gods.
Israel has not returned to God....they haven't listened to prophets or priests.....some kings have not helped the situation. In chapter 5, Amos sings a lament....he shocks people because he sings as if they have already been destroyed.
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
After you read, feel free to make a comment or ask a question in the comment box. You can sign up as a follower on the right, or you can sign up by e-mail at the bottom if you would like to follow the whole year. You may also chose to simply read along and make no comments. Whatever you choose. If you fall behind, as most people will do, don't worry...the whole year is here and you can catch up at your own speed. I highly encourage you to stick with it, If you read the Bible, you are going to mine some real jewels and insights.
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