OUTLINE OF AMOS

“Prepare to Meet thy God, O Israel”

I. God’s Impending Judgments, Amo_1:1-15; Amo_2:1-16

1. Upon the Surrounding Nations, Amo_1:1-15; Amo_2:1-5

2. Upon Israel, Amo_2:6-16

II. The Statement of Israel’s Accusation, Amos 3-6

1. Sins That Demand Rebuke, Amo_3:1-15

2. Defiance of God’s Judgments, Amo_4:1-13

3. Substitution of Religious Forms for Righteousness, Amo_5:1-27

4. Luxurious Self-Indulgence, Amo_6:1-14

III. Symbolic Visions of Israel’s Future, Amo_7:1-17; Amo_8:1-14; Amo_9:1-15

1. Locusts, Fire, the Plumb-Line, Amo_7:1-9

(Amos’ Prophesying Provokes Resistance), Amo_7:10-17

2. The Basket of Summer Fruit, Amo_8:1-3

(The Accusation Renewed), Amo_8:4-10

3. The Famine of the Word of God, Amo_8:11-14

4. The Smiting of the Temple Pillars, Amo_9:1-10

5. Israel’s Final Restoration, Amo_9:11-15

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS

Amos was not a prophet or a prophet’s son, but a shepherd and husbandman, Amo_7:14. He was conscious of an irresistible commission, Amo_3:8; Amo_7:15. To this he bore witness when Amaziah, the high priest of idolatry, charged him with conspiracy. God is sovereign and selects as His messengers whom He will. Tekoa, still known by that name, was situated on a noble elevation, six miles south of Bethlehem. From this Judean village Amos was sent on a prophetic mission into the land of Israel. Under the rule of Jeroboam II the nation had reached the high tide of power and prosperity, but corruption and oppression prevailed.

The style of this book is simple, picturesque, and striking. Its illustrations are borrowed from rural employments and breathe the fresh atmosphere of the country. The allusions to history, such as found in Amo_9:7, as well as the power of consecutive thought here shown, prove that, despite the responsible duties of shepherd, Amos found time for mental as well as spiritual culture.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Amos in the printed edition}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON AMOS

Outline

(a) What is the warning which sounds through the book of Amos?

(b) In what visions is Israel’s future foretold?



Introduction

(c) To what tribe did Amos belong? What was his occupation when summoned to the prophet’s office?

(d) How have the circumstances of his life influenced the style of his book?

(e) To what nation was the prophet sent?



Amos 1-9

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. Upon what nations were God’s judgments to fall?

2. What is indicated as their principal sin and how does it differ from the transgression of Judah?

3. What remembrance should have restrained Israel from sin?

4. Why did the sin of Israel demand punishment even more than that of the heathen?

5. What was God’s purpose in sending calamity upon Israel?

6. In what verses does Amos describe God as the Creator of the universe?

7. Why did the Lord reject the offerings of Israel?

8. For what sins are the nobles of Israel specially condemned?

9. What answer did Amos make to the accusation of Amaziah?

10. What unsatisfied desire would Israel experience, which would be greater than a famine of bread?

11. With what promise of restoration does the prophecy of Amos end?