Amos 5 Amos 5 First Oracle Gods reasons

Amos 5

Amos 5 First Oracle: God’s reasons for punishing Israel Second Oracle: God’s discipline for Israel’s apostasy Third Oracle: God’s might and sovereignty (5: 117) Fourth Oracle: A call to repent (5: 18 -27)

Amos 5 Theme: The nation would be judged by its mighty sovereign God, but individuals could yet repent and live.

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 1 -3) b. Call for individual repentance (v. 4 -6) c. Accusation of legal injustice ( v. 7) d. Portrayal of Sovereign God (v. 8 -9) c 1. Accusation of legal injustice (v. 10 -13) b 1. Call for individual repentance (v. 14 -15) a 1. Description of certain judgment. (v. 16 -17)

Amos 5 Third Oracle: a. Description of certain judgment. (5: 1 -3) There is the death of the nation but there is also hope for a remnant (5: 1 -3) -A dirge -Fallen -neglected -none to raise her up

Amos 5 Third Oracle: a. Description of certain judgment. (5: 1 -3) There is the death of the nation but there is also hope for a remnant (5: 1 -3) 90% decimation is a death sentence. But 10% a a hopeful remnant.

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 b. Call for individual repentance (v. 4 -6) Bethel: The place of Jacob’s Dream (Gen 28) Gilgal: Where Israel was circumcised surrounding Jericho (Joshua 5) Beersheba: Where Isaac covenanted with Abimelech (Gen 21 & 26)

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 b. Call for individual repentance (v. 4 -6) Bethel & Gilgal: See 3: 14; 4: 4

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 b. Call for individual repentance (v. 4 -6) two choices: repent or suffer judgment

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 c. Accusation of legal injustice ( v. 7) God expects justice and righteousness. Instead they turn justice into wormwood. Wormwood is an herb known for its bitter taste (See Rev. 8: 11; Deut. 9: 18; Jer. 9: 15, 23: 15) See also C. S. Lewis “The Screwtape Letters. ”

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 d. Portrayal of Sovereign God (v. 8 -9) A hymn to God in the middle of the pronouncement of judgment. What other passages come to mind reading v. 89?

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 c 1. Accusation of legal injustice (v. 10 -13) Think about the language of most funerals. You can always find something nice to say about the deceased. Not here!

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 c 1. Accusation of legal injustice (v. 10 -13) “In the gate” was where you expected justice to be administered. Think about Boaz and Ruth. Here, there was corruption and injustice instead.

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 c 1. Accusation of legal injustice (v. 10 -13) Their injustice to the poor would come back on their own heads as God judged them. (v. 11 -12)

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 c 1. Accusation of legal injustice (v. 10 -13) Even the prudent kept silent for fear of retribution. (v. 13)

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 b 1. Call for individual repentance (v. 14 -15) A complete reversal of attitude and conduct was necessary to avoid judgment. Seek good Hate evil Establish justice in the gate “Perhaps the Lord will be gracious”

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 a 1. Description of certain judgment. (v. 16 -17) Wailing, Alas, mourning, lamentation all indicate destruction. But do they necessarily bring about repentance?

Amos 5 Third Oracle: God’s Might and Sovereignty 5: 1 -17 a 1. Description of certain judgment. (v. 16 -17) “I will pass through the midst of you. ” What does that mean?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 18– 20) b. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 21– 23) c. Call for individual repentance (v. 24) b 1. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 25– 26) a 1. Description of certain judgment (v. 27)

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 18– 20) What is the ‘day of the Lord? ’

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 18– 20) What is the ‘day of the Lord? ’ Is it a time to rejoice or to fear?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 18– 20) What is the ‘day of the Lord? ’ Is it a time to rejoice or to fear? ”Alas” = “woe”. Woe to you who are longing for the day of the Lord. Quite the shock for those who were waiting hopefully for the day of the Lord.

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a. Description of certain judgment (v. 18– 20) No place to hide! It will be ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ for the wicked. (v. 19 -20)

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 21– 23) He hated their offerings (v. 21 -22) He hated their singing (v. 23)

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 21– 23) Hiding in religion, ritual, and works. God knows it and hates it! ”I hate, I reject…” Where else do we see language like this in the Bible about God’s attitude toward false worship?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 21– 23) Why did Jesus reserve His harshest words for the Pharisees?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 c. Call for individual repentance (v. 24) God demands justice and righteousness with the proper heart attitude. (See Beatitudes) Micah 6: 8: What does the Lord require of you?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b 1. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 25– 26) Did they worship God in the wilderness?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b 1. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 25– 26) Did they worship God in the wilderness? Yes, but what ELSE did they do?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b 1. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 25– 26) Israel place an image of Sikkuth, (‘the shrine of your king’ or ‘Sikkuth, your king’) from the Assyrian temple to Molech at Bethel. Israel placed Kiyyun (Saturn) the star god of the Assyrians in their constellation of gods.

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 b 1. Accusation of religious hypocrisy (v. 25– 26) Idolatry was a problem in the wilderness and remained a problem during Amos’ day. Why would Israel worship the gods of Assyria?

Amos 5 Fourth Oracle: A call to repent 5: 18 -27 a 1. Description of certain judgment (v. 27) Exile was certain. Many would be killed. The oracle would have its fulfillment. Beyond Damascus in Syria lies Assyria.

Amos 5 Questions Why are we so stubborn to repent of our sins?

Amos 5 Questions Why do we worry about what might happen to us on earth (e. g. , Israel’s fear of Assyria; our fear of what may be happening in our lives) when we have a Father in heaven who loves us so much?

Amos 5 Questions What parallels can you draw between the people of Amos’ day and the people to whom Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount?

Amos 5 Questions Where is our hope found?

Amos 5 Until our last breath, God is gracious with His offer to repent and believe. Thank God for His grace!