Hosea, Joel, Amos
I. HOSEA
A. Introduction
1. Date
a. During reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah
- Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BC)
b. Uzziah (790 – 739 BC) to Hezekiah (728 – 686)
- (inclusion of Jeroboam II of little help because time of Hezekiah would indicate other kings of Israel)
c. Contents of book suggests excess of 40 years of ministry
1) The first portion of the book (Chapters 1-3) refers to Jeroboam’s reign (coregengt 793-782, King 782-753) and the subscription would place the beginning of ministry at the latter year of Jeroboam’s reign after the beginning of the reign of Uzziah (767). Thus approximately 760 for start
2) At least to the beginning of Hezekiah’s reign, 715
2. Authorship
a. Hosea, same as Joshua, meaning “salvation”
b. From Israel
- familiar with northern kingdom, cf 5:1, 6:8-9
- speaks of Jeroboam as “our King” (7:5)
3. To Israel (See #2 above)
4. Historical background
a. Jeroboam’s II reign had been time of outward prosperity but idolatry remained. The land was filled with carnal luxury, oppression, and moral degeneracy.
b. With the death of Jeroboam anarchy prevailed
- Jeroboam’s son Zechariah reigned 6 months
- Assassinated by Shallom- reigned 1 month
- Assassinated by Menachem, one of his generals
- Their wicked tyrant ruled 10 years
- During his reign, Tiglath-pileser invaded and made tributary
- His son Pekahiah reigned 2 years- murdered by Pekah
- Assassinated by Hosea who paid tribute to Assyrians at first then aligned with Egypt
- Shalmaneser V seized Samaria 3 years
- After 3 years fell to Sargon in 722 B.C.
5. Historical Setting
a. Time of division
b. Emphasis to Judah’s Kings even through Hosea from Israel-Davidic line
B. Hosea’s Marriage
1. Marriage ended (v.2)
a. “Beginning”Tehilath same word “pierce through”
- thus an opening a a beginning (G. 281)
- thus the opening, piercing through of God’s word “in Hosea”
b. thizeneh “goes whoring”)
- basic lexical meaning is “commit fornication”
- used figuratively of idolatry- “the prophets shadowing for the relation in which God stood to the people of Israel by the marriage union”
- away from Jehovah suggests Israel had strayed from being rightly related to God
c. Four suggestions concerning end of God
1) Hypothetical
2) Literal marriage to a prostitute
- For: most natural meaning; “take” goes with children also, suggesting already had; only priest were forbidden to marry an unchaste woman
3) Spiritual Infidelity
- Gomer’s infidelity was spiritual rather than physical. She like Israel generally was a worshipper of false gods
- hardly fits the text
4) Literal marriage with Gomer later adulterous
- adulterous used proleptically
- fits parallel of God and Israel
- Israel at the beginning was chaste and later became adulterous
2. First son born
a. Jezreel named after deity where Jehu slaughtered the “house of Ahab”, 2 Kings 9:7-10:28
b. conflict with 2 Kings 10:30 where God is said to commend Jehu
- Resolved: though carried out the instructions of God (2 Kings 9:1-10), sinned in killing more people than God intended
c. bow symbolic of power
d. Valley myth of Jezreel- fulfilled mainly Tiglath-pilser III 733
3. First daughter born and named, vv 6-7
a. God’s mercy toward Israel had run out; symbolized by “No-Mercy”
b. God is still merciful to the house of Judah but this mercy will not be manifest by military strength (implications supernatural/providential)
c. Apparently indicates the military strength as the source of Israel’s hope
4. Third child born and named, vv 8-9
a. Not a divorce of nation; the remainder of the book indicates
b. Not God’s people because they are not regenerate
C. Israel’s Hope
1. Promise to Abraham of many descendants is yet to be fulfilled
2. “Clues” to millennial reign of Christ
a. Regenerate people (sons of the living God)
b. United people- Israel and Judah
c. One head
- never so since Solomon until May 1948
d. Will come up from the land/ earth
- many hold that land refers to Egypt and symbolizes the nations of the world
e. Day of Jezreel
“in contrast to the former day of Jezreel when Israel was brought down by Assyria, the coming day would be “great” because it would see the nation reformed for a time of glory.”
3. Note of triumph in 2:1 as Hosea sees the conclusion of the ages
- for all the sin and betrayal, a glorious day is coming
D. The Adulterous Israel, 2:2:13
1. Rebuke and warning
a. Rebuke for enticing lovers
1) unblushing Israel had sought out idolatry
2) Israel had entered into covenant with God- thus idolatry was a breach of fidelity
b. Consequences for actions
1) made helpless- extreme shame
2) made to suffer
3) no exempted
- even the individuals who are righteous are included with the whole; they will suffer along with the guilty
(K. & D., 53)
2. Israel’s resolve to be unfaithful, v.5
- Israel attributed prosperity to the nations trade agreement
- Israel chased after the lover, not vice-versa
- Shame (NIV disgrace) in the sense of practicing shame; not suffering shame
3. God will prevent Israel’s success, v.6
- Israel will be put into the position in which she will not be able to continue after lovers
- in exile Israel learned the worthlessness of trusting idols
4. Israel to return, v.7
- fulfilled fully in the last days
5. List of judgments, vv.8-12
a. For failure to acknowledge Jehovah
b. Listed
1) take away basic necessities at the time they would be expected to come- e.g., grain at harvest, v.9
3) being withered by withholding blessings; other nations would recognize, v.10
4) no longer to have “feasts”
- in particular: Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacle and monthly feasts of the new moon; days of joy
5) vines and figs
- choicest production of the land
- Israel regarded them as wages, reward of her prostitution
c. Summation
- the days of Baals; those festive days for Jehovah, were truly for Baal
- “Visit” is prophetic perfect
E. The Blessing of Israel
- section corresponds to 1:10 -11 fulfillment in the millennium
1. Valley of Anchor (trouble)
a. cf. Achan’s sin and punishment, Josh. 7:24-26
b. Thus a place of disgrace; God will bring Israel out of disgrace
c. Will be a time of great joy as that as that of coming out of Egypt; sing is ana answer, respond; here the emphasis is to respond with joy
2. Characteristic of Restored Israel
a. Will recognize Jehovah as true husband instead of my Master (Baal)
b. Idol worship forgotten
c. Peace on earth; covenant made with beasts and birds
d. War abolished (cf. Isa. 2:4)
e. Betrothed forever
- no separation- because no unfaithfulness, v.20
- five relationships denoted, vv. 19-20
3. Yahweh will respond to the needs of the people, v. 21-23
F. Hosea Seeks Out Gomer, 3:1-3
1. Hosea commanded to demonstrate love again to Gomer
a. Period of separation indefinite
b. Apparently enough for Hosea’s heart to grow cold toward her.
c. Though still active in her adultery
d. Degree of the love that God loves Israel
2. Picture of God’s love for Israel.
a. Israel’s sin
1) active and continuous (ptc) turning to other gods
2) love the raisin cakes associated with- took pleasure from, comfortable with
a) K & D, 68: “Loving grapes- cakes is equivalent to indulging in sensuality.”
b) Hengstenberg: “The solemn and strict religion of Jehovah is plain but wholesome food; where idolatry is relaxing food, which is only sought after by epicures and men of depraved tastes” (K &D, 68)
b. Note the difference: God’s love continues toward Israel
3. Gomer given a gift
- small gift; to bride (price of a slave, Ex. 21:32; Zech 11:1 shows the deep distress of Gomer to accept such small gift.” (K & D, 69)
4. Reunited, v.3
G. Israel’s Future Return, 3:4-5
1. For the third time in three chapters- future reconciliation
2. Separation will result in
a. loss of self rule; without king or prince
b. without proper or improper worship
- without sacrifices or sacred stones
c. Without proper means of receiving revelations
- ephod contained Urim and Thurmmim
- idol (teraphim) probably used for divination
3. Repentance will accompany return, v.5.
- will seek David their King- 2nd coming Messiah will be sought, not 1st coming
ISRAEL’S INDICTMENT, PUNISHMENT AND RESTORATION, 4:1-14-9
H. Israel’s Indictment, 4;1-7:16; God demonstrates the necessity of judgment
1. A general indictment of the people, 4:1-4
a. Lack of divine favor; quarrel, strife and conflict of Jehovah with the people
b. Lack of virtue (absent in an ungodly society)
1) No truth emeth
a) with respect to God- faithfulness, fidelity, “in which anyone is consistent and performs promises…” (G, 62)
b) have with respect to people; falsehood, hypocrisy, not genuine to others
2) No kindness
a) Chesed to God stressed covenant loyalty
b) with respect to people, the word has more of an idea of kindness; maybe with the idea based/growing out of covenant
c) e.g., my kindness to others based on Scriptures as well as my spiritual nature
3) No knowledge of God
a) NIV “acknowledge” obscure meaning
b) UT’ to know; experiential- Adam “knew” Eve
c) Was a secular society
c. Virtue replaced by gross sin, v.2
1) Sins directed against. Decalogue
a) cursing according to Kiel against. the 2nd commandment; application: also in light hearted manner
b) lying; we have truth in lending; word no longer bond
c) murder; even in schools today
d) stealing
e) adultery
2) Breakdown in Society
a) “break all bounds” (NIV)
- “bloody deed follows bloody deed” i.e., bloodshed with violence (Neil)
d. Results, v.3
1) the land as well as the people suffer
a) the land mourns- affected physically
b) the people—mll to cut off or to be cut off (G. 479)
c) even the animals—excess of sin throws nature out of balance
e. Mutual accusation is not the remedy, v.4
2. Sins of the priests, 4:5-11a
a. Priests and prophets committing sin, v.5
b. Had forgotten the law (of Moses), v.6
c. Priests increased but to disgrace-not glorify God; Jeroboam II had priests of non-Levitical tribes
d. Fed on peoples sin
e. Priests were no better than the people, v.9
3. Sins of the people, 4:11b-19
a. Given to wine—wine and new wine –new wine suggests frivolity—lack of understanding
b. Consult idols, vv.12-13
1) result: daughters and brides yielded to immorality
- understand that ½ of brides were pregnant at the altar in the 18th Century; no surprise with the rise of deism (liberalism of 18th C)
2) result: men also guilty with shrine prostitutes
- note: had made sex their god or recognized in shrine prostitutes (sound familiar)- a nation concerned with sex then and now
c. Hypocritical allegiance to Jehovah, v.15
d. Rulers (literal- shields) are likewise involved, v.18
- those who protect influence evil
4. A warning to priests, people and kings, 5:1-7
a. Figure of people being trapped- hurt- by civil and religious leaders
b. Deeds worthless because hearts wholly given over to the spirit of idolatry- knowledge of God lacking
c. Superficial religion in vain, vv.6
1) Note especially vain sacrifice, c.f. Psalm 51
2) Unfaithful is deceitful
5. A warning to Ephraim and Judah, 5:8-15
a. Gibeah and Ramah- cities of Benjamin
b. Spiritual application to moving property lines: spiritual boundaries of God changed- moved the boundary between God and Baal (Kiel), v.10
c. Moth and worm (NIV not) a symbol of destructive powers- destroy slowly
d. Assyria is not able to help, v.13
e. V.14- Tiglath-pileser II campaigns 743 & 734-732 B.C
- Shalmaneser V 722 B.C.
- X Sennacherib of Judah 701 B.C.
f. God would reach out in grace
6. Words of repentant Israel, 6:1-3
a. Act of will, v.1; 2-3 days speedy
b. Know God, v.3
c. God’s action sure, v.3
7. Continued indictment of the people, 6:4-11
- Note: Semites reiteration; Goodness (KJV) is love in NIV
a. Israel and Judah loves like a mist, v.4- love is chesed – no loyalty to covenant
b. Prophets sent warning, v.5
c. Against insincere sacrifice, v.6
d. Covenant breaking likened to Adam’s sin
e. Lawless priests, v.5
f. Judah warned, v.11
8. A ruin of domestic policy, 7:1-7
a. Prophets exposed sins making the people more guilty, v.1
b. Think god will overlook sins, v.2
- America has the same idea- God did not overlook sins for even His chosen people
c. Acerbated by Vines, vv.5,7
9. A fatal foreign policy, 7:8-16
a. Israel had mixed with heathens within its boundaries, v.8, in spite of God’s instructions to be separate (Lev. 20:24,26)
b. Ignorant- dove flying about for food does not notice the net
c. Unbelieving despair, v.14
I. Israel’s Punishment, 8:1-10:15
1. Warning of approaching judgment, 8:1-14
a. Eagle- bird of prey symbolizes Assyria
b. House of God refers to people since Israel did not have temple
c. “Know or acknowledge” v.2, refers to historical knowledge even though Yada
d. Set up kings- i.e. another dynasty- Jeroboam
e. Calf refers to Bethel of Dan, v.5
f. Sow wind (emptiness) reap whirlwind (judgment)
g. Ungodly alliance, v.9
h. Ungodly worship, v.11
i. Return to Egypt, i.e. Assyrian- bondage of Egypt v. 13
- with the multiplication of altars increased the sacrifices (Kiel)
j. Forgetting their maker, they increased national defense, v. 14
2. Assyrian captivity soon to come, 9:1-9
a. Warning continues
b. “The bread of mourners”, cf. Deut. 26:14, is unclean, unacceptable- or touching of dead Num. 19:22
c. Sin of men of Gibeah- Judges 19-20; crime of the concubine of Levite; Benjamin almost annihilated
3. The fleeting glory of Israel, 9:10-17
a. decreasing population: No birth, no pregnancy, no conception”, v.11
- not as many exiled as one may thing
b. Wanders among the nation, v.17
4. Guilt and coming captivity, 10:1-8
a. Law-suites typical, v.4
b. Mourn over calf idols of Beth Aven, v. 5
c. Death seen as better than exile, v.8
5. Sin and punishment, 10:9-15
a. Sin of Gibeah mentioned again
- thought that Israel continued in the same sin with the punishment not having been received but is now coming upon them.
b. Double sin- forsaking God and departing from the rule of David’s house (book & Kiel) (comes from Qere reading
c. Instruction to sow righteousness, v.12, disregarded in favor of reaping evil, v.13 “break up unplowed ground” v. 12
J. Israel’s Restoration, 11:1-14:9
1. God’s love and Israel’s rebellion, 11:1-7
a. Relationship to God: a Son, 11:1-7
b. Called out of Egypt
c. Soon followed after pagan deities, v.2
d. Disciplined
1) “Lead with human kindness” in days of the Judges
2) Did not recognize this discipline, v.4
e. In danger of Egypt like bondage to Assyria, v.5
f. People’s determination to turn from God not as hard as book suggests- that God would not hear- there is a point to far, cf. Jeremiah
2. Restoration is the last days, 11:8-11
a. Admah and Zeborim- two cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah, cf. Deut. 29:33
b. Loving God would not always judge Israel
c. Return from the west [exiles of that day were south (Egypt, i.e., bondage), north- Assyria, east –Babylon]
3. The folly of Israel, 11:12-12:14
a. Doubled handed dealing, Assyria and Egypt at the same time, v.1; like pursuing east (Lot) wind
b. Dishonesty in business, v.7- thought sin was hidden, v.8- make live in tents again as three times a year- mandatory feasts
c. Provoked God to anger, v.14
4. Israel’s fall into sin, 13:1-16
a. Progressive nature of sin, v.1
b. Degenerative nature of sin- human sacrifice possible- maybe not probable (see textbook)
c. Kiss calf---worship began at Bethel had degenerated further
d. Picture of judgment as a lion, leopard- had been called flock in v.6
e. Repentance is hidden from “my eyes” – God won’t change His mind, v.14.
f. Assyrians brutality, vv.15-16
5. Israel’s repentance and God’s blessing, 14:1-9
a. Sacrifice of praise offering from lips, v.2
b. Israel would admit that military power of foreign countries not he answer, v.3
c. Idolatry Israel’s besetting sin, v.8
d. Contrast of God’s way lists righteous and rebellion v.9
II. JOEL- Introduction
A. The Prophet
1. “Yahweh is God”
2. Son of Pethuel
3. From Judah, possibly of Jerusalem
4. The author of this book
B. Date
1. During the minority of King Joash,; during the regency of Jehoida, the high priest, c. 830 (different than the textbook which gives a date of early 8th century)
2. Hard to date because no mention of kings or other internal evidence
3. For date of c. 830:
a. No mention of a king; the elders and priests bear the leadership responsibilities
- according to 2 Kings 11:4 Joash was crowned at age 7 with his uncle, Jehoida, exercising authority
b. Evidence of borrowing between Amos and Joel; for example Joel 3:18 and Amos 9:13: “The mountains shall drop sweet wine”
- contextual evidence indicates that Amos quoted Joel
c. The enemies of Israel indicates an early date
1) Assyrians, Chaldeans and Persians were not mentioned
2) Local enemies emphasized: Phoenicians, Philistines, Egyptians & Edomites
d. The mention of Greeks is no hindrance to an early date (some use to suggest post-exilic date)
C. Theme: The Day of the Lord
D. Occasion and Purpose: the Locust Plague was the occasion for Joel to warn of a greater day of judgment
E. Recipients: Judah
II. JOEL’S PRESENT INSTRUCTIONS: Based on the Locust Plagues, 1:1-2:27
A. The Occasion: The Locust Plague, 1:1-14
1. To the elders of Judah and all of the people
2. To be passed to succeeding generations - God’s truth does not change
3. The destruction of the plagues
a. Four different words to designate locusts
b. Possibly to suggest the intensity, completeness of devastation
c. Locusts have the ability to destroy everything (green?) – men are unable to stop them
B. The Instructions: Based on the Locust Plague, 1:5-2:2
1. Warnings in the light of the present crisis, 1:5-10
a. Joel’s plea for penitence, 1:5-13
1) A warning to the pleasure seekers
a) warning against wine, v.5; “new wine” is asim freshly trodden – maybe wine with little age – or else the harvest is scant
b) Had caused the nation to be unaware of moral condition and impending judgment – evil practice of wine drinking had affected every area of life and all levels of society
c) Vines and fig trees – symbols of blessings had been stripped by locusts
d) Attendant economic crisis, vv.8-10 - like virgin mourns for husband-to-be
2) A warning to the farmers, 1:11-12
- farmers directly affected
- fruits of land an expression of the blessing of God
- joy withered away
- (illustration: the joy of the harvest not evident among farmers when prices low, etc.)
3) A warning to the priests, 1:13
- to repent, seek God
- would know grave situation because offerings cut off, v.9
b. Joel’s plea for prayer, 1:14-20
(Locust plague warned of further judgment)
1) The call for an assembly
a) destruction of the locusts the occasion but the purpose in repentance
b) joy and gladness taken from the house of God since neither first-fruits or thanks-offerings can be brought to the house of God to be eaten with joy
2) The example to the assembly, 1:19-20
a) drought also
b) animals more perceiving than man in seeking God
2. Warnings in the light of the coming conflict, 2:1-27
a. Joel’s plea for preparation, 2:1-11
1) The general condition, 2:1-2a
- day of gloom and doom
- day is a day to be feared
2) The coming army, 2:6-11
a) arrival and advance, 2b-3a; like the spreading dawn – quickly, steadily and completely
b) effect on the land; great devastation
- compared to Garden of Eden
c) awesome appearance; remember old works not adequate
d) sure success, vv. 7-11
- leader was God, v.11
- luminaries darkened
- Who can endure it?
b. Joel’s plea and prescription, 2:12-27
1) The plea to turn to the God of mercy, 2:12-14
a) repentance still available to Judah
b) sincere repentance demanded, vv. 12-14
- offered, v.12
- rend heart (cf. Exodus 34:6)
gracious- _______________
compassionate- _______________
slow to anger
great chesed
does not send evil, i.e. calamity (NIV relents)
- blessing
2) The call to implore the God of grace, 2;15-17
a) the cry of the faithful, 2:15-17
- right object of repentance – glory of God
- no one exempted
b) The response of God, 2:18-27
- deliverance for repentance
- physical – enemy removed and fruitful land
- spiritual – praise the Lord (v.26)
- not be ashamed, vv. 26-27
- will know God
III. GOD’S FUTURE INTENTIONS: The Eschatological Program, 2:28-3:21
A. The Promise of His Personal Provision, 2:28-32
1. The outpouring of the Spirit, 2:28-31
a. Time – “afterward”- far in the future
b. “All” refers primarily to God’s covenant people
1) Pour out in abundance, fullness of the Holy Spirit,
2) Cf. Jer. 31:31-34
c. Signs in heaven connected with the Day of the Lord
1) sun to darkness- likely eclipse
2) moon to blood- appearance probably
d. Day of the Lord called great and dreadful
1) in sight of the world dreadful
- in sight of God’s people great
2) Begins with Daniel’s 70th week
2. The out working of salvation, 2:32
a. Universal invitation
- cf. Gen 4:26; Gen 12:8, et al
b. First fruits at Pentecost
- Acts 2:17-21
- Same covenant that will bring Israel to repentance has been available since Christ was crucified
c. Most fully with Jews in the latter days
- “survivors” are the Jews who are saved
B. The Prediction of His Final Triumph, 3:1-21
1. The Tribulation Program, 3:1-17
a. The coming of judgment, 3:1-8
1) Its basis, 3:1-3
a) Judah & Jerusalem to be restored
b) Nation to be judged by God at the Valley of Jehoshaphat
c) Reason given: exiled people, taken the land, treated people as worthless- not blessed, Gen 12:3
- Have negated God’s will, Deut 28:9
2) Its execution, 3:4-8
a) Slave traders are representative of those who historically have sought to destroy and deprive Israel
b) God would repay
b. The challenge in judgment, 3:9-17
1) The call to judgment, 3:9-12
- war effort would rob agricultures
- generally so in war, especially here
2) The course of judgment, 3:13-17
a) In spite of the great judgment on nations, the Lord will be a refuge for His people
b) People will know of God’s presence
- no God is a dead theology
c) Foreigners will conquer no more, v.17
2. The Millennial prosperity, 3:18-21
- note the fertility of the land
- the curse is off
- nature is at harmony
- “a green revolution”
I. AMOS- Introduction
A. Author (who was Amos)
1. Name means burden-bearer, derived from amas; to lift a burden, carry
2. From Tekoa (1:1) – 10 miles south of Jerusalem
3. Vocation:
a. shepherd (1:1)
b. tended sycamore trees (7:14)
- fruit: in clusters and look like small figs; they are sweet, but by no means are they as good as the true fig (Zondervan, v, 549)
- Archer differs: poor man’s fruit; exudes a ball of sap and hardens in a sort of edible fruit
4. Foremost a prophet
a. not a professional prophet (see vocation)
b. functions as (7:15); God called (7:15)
B. Date
1. Days of Uzziah (Judah) and Jeroboam II (cf. 1:1)
a. Uzziah (792-740)
b. Jeroboam II (793-753 BC)
2. Probably later years of Jeroboam since Israel was prosperous materially
3. Thus most agree between 760-755 BC
4. “Two years before the earthquake” (1:1) – unfortunately the time was not known
C. Historical Background
- The conquest of Damascus (Syria) in 802 BC by the Assyrian followed by the quiescence of Assyria provided the background economic and border expansion under both Uzziah and Jeroboam II
D. Theology
1. Doctrine of God
a. Yahweh is sovereign. He effects the migration of peoples (9:7)
b. controls orderly progression of natural phenomena (4:13, 5:8)
2. Doctrine of election
a. affirmed election of Israel
b. but spoke against the idea that their guaranteed blessing
3- restoration of Davidic kingdom
. Doctrine of eschatology
II. Judgment Upon the Surrounding Nations (1:1 – 2:16)
A. Superscription and God’s Righteous Attitude Toward Sin, 1:1-2
B. Judgment on Heathen Nations, 1:3 – 2;16
1. Each prefaced: “For three transgressions… and for four.”
- sometimes used literally with last number equaling the elements listed (Proverbs); other places more general (Micah 5:5-6) indicating fullness
2. Judgments upon pagan neighbors for inhumanity with fire and destruction being the punishment
a. Damascus, 1:3-5
b. Gaza, 1:6-8
c. Tyre, 1:9-10
d. Edom, 1:11-12
e. Ammon, 1:13-15
f. Moab, 2:1-3
C. Judgment on the Covenant Nations
1. Judah, 2:4-5
a. cause
1) rejected the law (Bible)
2) followed false gods (literal as in KJV “lies”)
b. judgment: fire upon Judah, Jerusalem not spared
2. Israel, 2:6-2;16
a. sins enumerated, vv. 6-7
1) exploiting the poor for economic gain
a) “righteous” parallel to “needy”
- righteous in the sense that the needy are right (rightness), not righteous in the sense of saints
b) even for relatively small gain (pair of sandals)
c) pant (KJV) translated “trample” in NIV; pant seems better
- to pant after the dust of poor: maybe the idea of longing to see the languish of poor, or were so avarious that they craved even the dust of the poor (dust is a sign of sorrow) (EBC, 294)
2) Incest, v. 7
a) could be ritual prostitution
b) likely incest
- Lev. 18:6-18; 20:17-21 deal with this sin
d) shows lack of morality
e) result: profane the holy name of God
3) Illegal acts against the poor, v.8
a) law (Exodus 22:26-27) required clothing taken as collateral for securing debt to be returned in the evening as a covering for sleep
b) also wine was taken as fines was drunk
b. Denied spiritual heritage, 2:9-12
1) history of conquest recounted (to show God’s grace), vv 9-16
a) Amorite- here used for Canaanite, pre-conquest population cf. general use Gen 15:16: but in the fourth generation they shall come here again; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full
b) Strength of Amorites likened to Cedar and Oak trees, v.9
c) Even wandering in the wilderness seen as God’s grace
- “gracious power” (EBC)
d) raising up prophets and Nazarites, v.11
- Nazarite (nazer) mean separate. Special vow of separation (Num 6:1-12): abstained from wine (i.e., all products o grapes) and vowed not to cut hair or touch a dead body.
- prophets and Nazarites were examples and ministers of God’s word
2) rather than repentance, prevented prophets and Nazarites, 2:12
c. Result: Divine punishment
1) God will crush them (Hebrew is difficult, KJV translation “I am pressed under you”)
2) No escape, even of the mighty
3) Note of finality and certainty: “saith [NIV “declares”] the LORD”
III. Offenses Deserving Judgment, 3:1-6:14
A. Judgment certain because of complete depravity, 3:1-15
1. Accountable as the elect (“elective privilege”, EBC); Archer- the greater the privilege, the greater the accountability
2. Affirmation of Amos’s authority to announce judgment, vv. 3-8
a. Series of questions, vv. 3-6; v.6 evil, i.e. disaster (NIV)
b. Sovereign (Adonai) God, thus faithful to reveal judgment by prophets, v.7
c. Amos is that prophet (or among those prophets), v.8
1) roaring lion sounds an alarm; the alarm of the prophet’s voice should be heard
2) cannot but preach
3. Crimes and Punishment, v.9-15
a. Egyptians and Philistines (pagans) called upon to witness the oppression, v.9
b. Moral sense warped, v.10 (“they do not know how to do right”, NIV) – loot own land, not foreign as usual
c. Enemy to overrun land, v.11- Assyria not named specifically
d. Analogy of a shepherd retrieving the remains of an animal from the mouth of a lion, v.12
1) EBC: “This reflects the Mosaic Law, for a shepherd was required to produce the remains of an animal killed while in his care as proof that he did not steal it.”
2) Rest “of verse is textually problematic, and there have been various suggestions for its interpretation.” (EBC)
e. Divine retribution directed against:
1) false religion- a fugitive could gain refuge by grasping the horns of the altar (cf. 1 Kings 1:50 where Adonijah sought Solomon’s mercy)
2) ill-gotten wealth, v.15
B. God’s Condemnation for Sin, 4:1-13
1. Sin of economic injustice, vv. 1-3
a. Women likened to cows of Bashan
b. Pressured husbands to provide luxury at the expense of the poor
c. Judgment sure
1) God swears by His Holiness
2) Cf. Ps 89:35: Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David
3) Lying would be a violation of God’s holiness, thus not possible
d. Taken away with hooks and fishhooks- both words mean thorns
e. Harmon seems to be a location but the location is not known
2. Sin of wrong worship, 4:4-5
a. Bethel and Gilgal
1) Bethel along with Dan set up as alternate places of worship by Jeroboam (“sin of Jeroboam”) cf. Hosea 4:15; 9:15; 12:11
2) Gilgal apparently later set up Gilgal “roll,” where the reproach of the wandering was “rolled away” is now a reproach
3) Syncretistic
b. No lack of sincerity, v. 4-5
- “year” is literally days; the stress is upon the faithfulness of offerings
3. Sin of not heeding chastening, 4:6-13
a. Chastening detailed (cf. Deut 2-8)
1) Hunger, v.6; clean teeth- not eaten
2) Economics
a) drought, vv.8
b) blight and locusts, v9
3) Plagues, v.10- long period of war with Syria (2 Kings 13:3)
- same God who plagued the enemy (Egypt) plagued them
4. Conclusion, vv. 12-13
- judgment impending but not specific otherwise except that the Lord will bring it to pass
C. Lament and Find Appeal for Repentance, 5:1-27
1. Lament for Israel
a. “Lament” (v.1)- ginah, song or poem mourning the death of a loved one
b. Israel pictured as a virgin was never to rise again, v.2
- northern 10 tribes never returned to set up kingdom
c. Devastated by the enemy- 10% of soldiers to return
2. Encouraged to seek God in repentance, 5:4-17
a. Seek God, vv. 4-6
1) Not alternate worship
2) Nor Beersheba - reference is to those who continued to cross the border to worship at the temple
3) House of Joseph to receive judgment
a) dominant tribe of North-Ephraim- descended from Joseph
b) judgment to come, seeping through like a fire
c) nothing in Bethel to prevent this
4) Thus a note of God’s grace in Amos’ message, not all judgment
b. Those needing repentance, vv. 7-12
1) Those practicing injustice
a) justice – fair and impartial admonition of the law
b) deep bitterness is the result- “bitterness” is literally “wormwood” very bitter plant
c) parenthetical concerning Sovereign God, vv. 8-9
(1) sovereign over nature
(2) sovereign over history
d) hated those who protested against injustice of the courts, v.10
- courts (NIV) are literally gates (court held within gates)
e) exploitation of the poor, v.11
2) Result: God knows their sinfulness, vv. 12-13
- a prudent man keeps quiet (true in out time)
3) Call for repentance, vv. 14-15
c. For failure to repent, the judgment of God, v.16
3. The Day of the Lord, 5:18-20
a. “Woe” a strong word
b. No escaping the judgment of the Day of the Lord
- their election would not guarantee God’s favor
- the people saw Day as a “comforting concept” (EBC)
4. Unacceptable worship, 5:21-29
a. God hates insincere worship, v. 21; not ag. Mosaic
b. Key verse of the book, v. 24
D. Exile for the Complacent, 6:1-14
1. False security of pleasure-seekers, vv. 1-7
a. Compassion of two Kingdoms (Judah & Israel) with three cities, v. 2
1) Calneh- probably in Shinar, Hamath-Syria, Gath
2) Rhetorical question
b. Unwilling to hear of the “evil day”, v.3
c. Symbols of oppression, vv. 4-7
- sins of oppulence but “do not grieve over the ruins of Joseph”
2. Pride before the fall
a. God hates the pride of Jacob
b. Judgment that follows seems to be a plaque because the bodies were burned (cremation is not an alternative to burial)
c. Don’t mention the name of the Lord for fear that God would turn His wrath upon him
3. Instrument of Judgment
a. Absurd questions to introduce rebuke, v. 12
b. Turned justice upside down, v. 12
c. Took credit for Jeroboam’s apparent conquest of Lodebar and Karnaim (apparently into Aramaic territory)
IV. Vision Concerning Israel’s Fate, 7:1 – 9:10
A. Locusts, Fire, Plumb Line
1. Locusts, vv. 1-3
a. After the King had taken his part (1st harvest) – apparently taxes are high
b. Amos complains that Israel could not survive
c. God relented
2. Fire, vv. 4-6; again God relents
3. Plumb Line
a. Testing the people by a standard
b. Called to be holy, they had rejected that standard
- had not kept the covenant
- we are judged according to the word of God (higher standard than the world)
c. God could no longer spare judgment
1) to do so would be arbitrary
2) pagan sanctuaries destroyed
B. Historical Interlude, 7:10-17
1. Amaziah demands that Amos cease, vv. 10-13
a. Message to Jeroboam
b. Amaziah’s demand made to Amos –out of your place- government wants to restrict the message
2. Amos’ refusal on the grounds that God sent him, vv. 14-16
3. God’s judgment on Amaziah and family, v. 17
- “pagan” NIV is literally “unclean” country
C. Summer Fruit, 8:1-14
1. Picture of impending judgment- ripe, ready for eating
2. Self-seekers addressed, vv. 4-6
- note: kept the Sabbath
3. Judgment guaranteed by God
a. By excellency (“Pride” NIV is confusing) of Jacob, i.e. by Himself
- “God does not allow His glory to be sullied” (ERC)
b. Likened to a flood inundating the land
4. Judgment detailed, vv. 9-11
a. Time of mourning, vv. 9-10
b. Time of famine, v. 11
c. Time of spiritual hunger, v.12
5. Even the young will faint because of judgment
- those who swear by the sin/guilt (NIV “shame”) of Samaria
- Dan, place of golden calf; Beersheba, pilgrimage to that site (cf. 5:5)
D. The Smitten Temple: Israel Treated Like Pagans, 9:1-10
1. Destruction of the temple, vv. 1-6
a. Temple not literal; represents the religion of the northern kingdom
b. No hiding from judgment, vv.1-4
c. Withdrawn grace (curse), v.4
d. The Lord will bring it to pass, vv.5-6
2. Israelites are no different than the Cushites, Philistines, Arameans
- the exodus didn’t give them a cause to presume upon the mercy of God (ERC)
3. Judgment will be discipline, vv. 8-10
V. Restoration of the Davidic Kingdom, 9:11-12
A. David’s fallen kingdom restored in the future
1. Time of : in that day, v.11
2. Inclusion of Gentiles, v.12
- in Acts 15:12-21, the verse is used to support Gentiles being in the church
B. Blessings of the Kingdom
1. Fruitfulness of the land, v.13
2. Exiled Israelites to return
- brought back to God
3. Forever