Vision of Locusts (Amos 7:1-3)
God shows Amos a vision of locusts devouring the land after the king's harvest. This symbolizes a severe judgment that would leave Israel desolate.
Amos intercedes, pleading with God to forgive, and God relents, showing His mercy in response to sincere prayer.

Vision of Fire (Amos 7:4-6)
The second vision depicts a consuming fire that would devour the land. Again, Amos intercedes, and God relents, highlighting the power of intercessory prayer.
This vision emphasizes the severity of God's judgment and the need for repentance.

Vision of the Plumb Line (Amos 7:7-9)
God shows Amos a plumb line, symbolizing His standard of righteousness. Israel is found wanting, and judgment is declared.
This vision underscores God's justice and the importance of aligning with His standards.

Confrontation with Amaziah (Amos 7:10-17)
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, opposes Amos, accusing him of conspiracy and trying to silence his prophetic message.
Amos stands firm, declaring God's message despite opposition, illustrating the courage required to speak God's truth.Intercessory Prayer
Like Amos, we are called to intercede for our nation and communities, trusting in God's mercy and power to change hearts.

Aligning with God's Standards
Regularly examine our lives against God's plumb line, seeking to align our actions and attitudes with His righteousness.

Courage in Proclaiming Truth
Be prepared to stand firm in proclaiming God's truth, even when faced with opposition or misunderstanding.

Repentance and Mercy
Recognize the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance, while also embracing the hope of God's mercy.1. Amos
Amos is the primary figure in this chapter, a prophet called by God to deliver messages to Israel. He is known for his visions and prophecies concerning the judgment of Israel. The name "Amos" (Hebrew: עָמוֹס, 'Amos) means "burden" or "burden-bearer," reflecting his role in carrying God's message.

2. The Lord GOD
Referred to as "the Lord GOD" (Hebrew: אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh), He is the one who reveals visions to Amos and commands him to prophesy. The use of both "Adonai" and "Yahweh" emphasizes God's sovereignty and covenant relationship with Israel.

3. King Jeroboam
Jeroboam II is the king of Israel during the time of Amos's prophecy. He is mentioned in Amos 7:10-11, where Amos predicts that Jeroboam will die by the sword. Jeroboam's reign is marked by both prosperity and idolatry.

4. Amaziah
Amaziah is the priest of Bethel, who opposes Amos and reports his prophecies to King Jeroboam. He accuses Amos of conspiracy and tries to send him back to Judah. The name "Amaziah" (Hebrew: אֲמַצְיָה, 'Amatsyah) means "Yahweh is mighty."1. Israel
Israel is the primary setting for the prophecies of Amos. In Amos 7, the prophet delivers messages concerning the fate of Israel, warning of impending judgment due to the nation's sins. The Hebrew root for Israel is "יִשְׂרָאֵל" (Yisra'el), meaning "God prevails" or "He who struggles with God."

2. Bethel
Bethel is mentioned as a significant religious center in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was a site of idol worship, which Amos condemns. The Hebrew root for Bethel is "בֵּית־אֵל" (Beit-El), meaning "House of God." In Amos 7:13, Bethel is referred to as the king's sanctuary and a royal residence, highlighting its importance in the religious and political life of Israel.1. Vision of Locusts
Amos receives a vision from the Lord where He is preparing a swarm of locusts after the king's harvest. Amos intercedes, saying, "O Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?" (Amos 7:2). The Lord relents, showing His mercy and willingness to forgive upon intercession.

2. Vision of Fire
The Lord shows Amos a vision of a consuming fire that devours the great deep and the land. Again, Amos pleads, "O Lord GOD, please stop! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?" (Amos 7:5). The Lord relents once more, highlighting His compassion and responsiveness to prayer.

3. Vision of a Plumb Line
The Lord shows Amos a vision of a plumb line, symbolizing the standard by which He will judge Israel. The Lord declares, "I will spare them no longer" (Amos 7:8). This signifies a shift from mercy to judgment, as Israel has not measured up to God's standards.

4. Amaziah’s Opposition
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sends a message to King Jeroboam of Israel, accusing Amos of conspiracy and saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel" (Amos 7:10). This event highlights the resistance faced by prophets when delivering God's message.

5. Amaziah’s Confrontation with Amos
Amaziah tells Amos to flee to Judah and prophesy there, forbidding him to prophesy at Bethel, "for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple" (Amos 7:13). This reflects the tension between religious authority and prophetic truth.

6. Amos’s Response to Amaziah
Amos responds by affirming his divine calling, stating, "I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees" (Amos 7:14). He emphasizes that his message is from God, not from personal ambition.

7. Prophecy Against Amaziah
Amos delivers a prophecy against Amaziah, declaring that his wife will become a prostitute, his children will die by the sword, his land will be divided, and he will die in a pagan country. "And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland" (Amos 7:17). This prophecy underscores the seriousness of rejecting God's word. Intercessory Prayer
Genesis 18:22-33 (Abraham intercedes for Sodom)
James 5:16 (The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective)

God's Standards
Isaiah 28:17 (Justice as a measuring line)
Matthew 5:48 (Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect)

Courage in Proclamation
Acts 4:19-20 (Peter and John before the Sanhedrin)
2 Timothy 1:7 (God gave us a spirit not of fear)Pray for a heart of intercession, asking God to give us a burden for our nation and the courage to stand in the gap.
Ask God to reveal areas in our lives that need realignment with His standards and for the grace to make necessary changes.
Pray for boldness to proclaim God's truth in love, even in the face of opposition.
Seek God's mercy and forgiveness for our personal sins and the sins of our nation, trusting in His willingness to relent from judgment.

1. How does Amos 7 challenge your understanding of the relationship between divine judgment and mercy?

2. How does Amos' intercession for Israel reflect his character and role as a prophet?

3. What does the vision of the plumb line symbolize and why is it significant?

4. How did Amaziah respond to Amos' prophecies, and what does it reveal about him?

5. How does Amos defend his prophetic mission to Amaziah?

6. What can we learn from Amos' response to confrontation?

7. How do you handle criticism or opposition in your spiritual journey?

8. What is the role of courage in fulfilling God's calling?

9. Can you identify a situation where you pleaded for divine intervention like Amos?

10. What aspects of Amos 7 can you apply to your understanding of current world events?

11. How do the visions in Amos 7 challenge you to confront sin and injustice in your community?

12. How would you respond to being accused of conspiracy for speaking truth, as Amos was by Amaziah?

13. How does Amos 7 affect your perspective on the responsibility of religious leaders?

14. How might you stand firm in your faith in face of societal or religious opposition?

15. What does this chapter teach us about the consequences of disobeying God's word?

16. How do you interpret the prophecy against Amaziah and his family?

17. What does Amos 7 teach us about the impact of our actions on our community and our families?

18. How would you handle a situation where your message of truth is rejected?

19. What does Amos 7 teach us about the balance between prophecy and intercession?

20. How does the courage of Amos inspire you in your own spiritual walk?